75 



The conditions under which such a s^'stem has obtained a foothold 

 in Eg-ypt are largely responsible for the adoption of existing laws and 

 regulations governing the use of water. The difference in the stand- 

 ing of farmers in the United States and in Egypt is almost wholly 

 produced by the operation of the corvee regulations. If w^e are to 

 make it clear as to why certain laws and practices are particularly well 

 adapted to Egypt and not suited to arid America, the relation between 

 the farmers called into the corvee sier\ice and the governing classes 

 should be set forth in some detail." Formerly the corvee was called 

 upon for all kinds of public and private service. At present the sys- 

 tem must be considered as an intermediate step between slavery and 

 freedom; many changes for the better have been introduced during 

 the past one hundred years and the futui-e independence of the Egyptian 

 farmer seems assured. 



But little has been recorded of the character of the corvee during 

 the early history of P^gypt. The innnense masonry monuments and 

 temples, as well as the irrigation works which still exists, show how the 

 unpaid labor Avas utilized. Up to the time of Joseph, some 1750 years 

 B. C, the practice was recognized, and abuses became common after 

 the system of slavery inaugurated under his administration came into 

 full effect. The government owned the people and everything in 

 Egypt from that time until during the early part of the nineteenth 

 century. Some of the recent reports dealing w4th the use and abuse 

 of this free labor enable us to realize- to what extent the fellah has been 

 imposed upon. The following report on forced lal)or l)v Mr. H. 

 Villiers Stuart in March. 1883, sets forth the faults in the system at 

 that time: 



FORCKI) l..\K(1R IN' THE DELTA. 



The complaints made upon this subject are that the apportionment is arbitrary 

 and capricious, poor districts Iteintr required to furnish most and wealthy districts 

 fewest laborers. 



The richer class of landowners is also entirely exempt. They suggest that in 

 lieu of tlie present system there should be a proportionate labor rate upon all land 

 alike, instead of throwing the burden upon those least able to bear it. 



Every landowner up to 100 acres is liable to forced labor; but he may, if he likes, 

 pay a substitute. Some go and work themselves and some send substitutes. Those 

 who possess no land are not liable. 



Those who are liable get no pay whatever for their work; neither does the govern- 

 ment provide them with any food whatever. Their friends at home have to send 

 them food from their villages. Usually bread dried in the sun is their sole nourish- 

 ment. It is sent in sacks, a couple of men from each village l)eing deputed to convey 

 it to the scene of operation. They have also to find their own tools and baskets. 



"The system has had great influence on the practice of irrigation and has made 

 necessary the enactment of laws which would not be applicable in countries where 

 the same conditions do not exist. In discussing the customs of the people of Egypt 

 and the irrigation law there in operation, it should be borne in mind that regulations 

 which might oi)erate satisfactorily there would fail in the United States where 

 authority comes from the people. 



