UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1956-09-01_Page-149

-2- 1 added to represent the University if a German occupation- occurred. The evacuation of families took p1r►c : by train on Tuesday evening, June 30. Dr. Cleland and Messrs. Pntouillet and Janssen wore to reamin in Cairo a few days longer to complete certain arrangements more fully in view of the expected prionged absence of Americans, but with the distinct under-standing whicn I give tc Dr. Cleland in writing that they were to run no undue risks in getting away by way of American ships at Suez. This route h^.d been ruled out of our plans for families, both because of shortage of trensportnti(,n to Suez n.nd the reported lack of conveniences on boo rd ship. Tho day following, hew. ver, Wec'.nesda.y, July 1, the military situation be-came so serious that, the day hes been called Black Wednesday, Thrt day, evacuation of Artcricr.ns became goners]: sections of the Legation and of the Military Mission the Uocony and Standnrd Oil Companies, the Y,M.C.A., private civilians and also the remaining three members of our American staff. The litter drove in t• e cars to Suez and ombnrk3d on an American ship that larded them as Massawn, whence they went to Gura in Eritrea. The main groupafter many trials and anxieties and with emergency measures for transportation and food, reached Khartum on Sunday morn±ng, July 5, in company with man: members of the American Mission in Egypt. There fol-lowed days of community o.rf,onizn.ti.on and of essenti"1 ropnirs and improve-ments in extremely primitive living quarters mn in on room, women in another and women with children in the third rnd a community arrangement for boarding and for other essentials to sF nitary and healthful life. This situation has coninued for some six weeks, up to the present time. During these weeks, the German advance has been held at Alamain, 80 miles West of Al xandrie. Confidence has returned, even though no real change in the situation c'n be pointed. With the approach of September when the College should reopen, plans ire being made for the return to Cairo of at least the men. I1 is desirable to have some marked improvement in the military situation before risking the return of families. In this connection, I would iu'.ke the folLowing observ^tions: 1. It will regularize the actions of the University Council and staff, if the Trustees will aprrovc of the evacuation as described. 2. It seems reasonable as recommended by Council that the expenses of this evacuation should be borne by the University, including expenses of installation of living quarters at Khartum, but that individuals should carry all ordinPry expenses of living. 3. The Trustees should express their deep r,ppreci^tion of the loyalty, faithfulness and steadiness of Messrs. I3oktor, Khalil Rizq, John Rizq and Ismail Hussein in the emergency which left them carrying administrrtive responsibility for the University in the absence of Americans. In concluding this Report for 1941-42, it only remains for me to ex-press once again the gratitude which I fuel toward God for His sustaining grace vouchsafed to me and to our entire staff in the varied experiences of the year and. to express epprecintion of the sympathy and cooperation of the Trustees and especially of the heroic efforts of Mr. Lum to break through the seemingly impassable b.,.rriers preventing new recruits and re-turning men to come to our relief