Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1455

 DEFENCE 1333

On January 1, 1913, the debt stood at £E94, 349,680.

In 1911 the debt was reduced by £350,540.

The charges on account of debts of all kinds (including tribute), as shown in the estimates for 191'^, amount to £E4,598,452.

In 1888 and 1890, reserve funds were established, the balances of which, in virtue of the Anglo-French Convention of April 4, 1904, were placed at the disposal ot the Egyptian Government in 1905, less certain sums remain- ing in the hands of the Caisse de la Dette Publique for the service of the debt. The amount received by the Egyptian Government was carried to a General Reserve Fund.

In the General Reserve Fund on January 1, 1911, there was a balance of £E5,749,119 and during the year 1911 there was paid in £E2,303,645 ; total, £E8, 052,764. From the Fund in 1911 pavments were made amount- ing to £E2,205,152. The balance at the end of 1911 was £E5,847,612.

Defence.

Egyptian Army.

On September 19, 1882, the existing Egyptian army was disbanded. The organisation of a new army was entrusted to a British general officer, who was given the title of Sirdar. Service is compulsory, but owing to the small contingent required only a fraction of the men who are liable actually serve. Service is for three years. In the Sudanese battalions service is voluntary and extended. The army consists of 5 squadrons of cavalry, a camel corps, 5 batteries, 18 battalions of infantry (of which 6 are Sudanese and 1 is a special "'Equatorial'' battalion), a railway battalion, and various departments. Most of the higher posts are held by British officers. The strength of the army is about 17,000.

Akmy of Occupation.

The British garrison, or army of occupation, consists of a cavalry regiment, a horse artillery battery, a mountain battery, a company of engineers, and 4 battalions (one company in Cyprus) stationed in the Nile Delta, and of a battalion of infantry and detachment of garrison artillei}" stationed in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. The establishment, including departmental services, is 6,067 of all ranks. The Egyptian Government contributes 150,000Z. towards the cost of these troops.

Production and Industry.

The cultivable area of Egypt proper was reckoned in 1911-12 at 7,683,333 feddaus (1 feddan = l"038 acre), and of this 2,397,879 were uncultivated for want of reclamation. The readjustment of the land-tax is now com- plete, the old distinction between Kharagi and Urhusi tax has disap- peared, and the taxes on land range from 2 piastres (1 piastre := 2^r/,) to 164 piastres per feddan according to the rental value. The corvee, oi forced labour, has been abolished, but the inhabitants are still called out to guard or repair the Nile banks in flood time, and are also liable in any sudden emergency ; in 1907, 16,898 men were called out. The agricultural population (Fellaheen) forms about 61 per cent, of the whole. A large proportion of them are small land-holders with under 50 feddans, while others, almost or altogether landless, are labourers, the relation between the employers and