Report Alexandria Full of Russian Submarines, Warships, Merchant Vessels

A retired French admiral who arrived here yesterday aboard a cruise ship that had just called at Alexandria reported that Egyptian authorities are so nervous over possible attacks by Israeli frogmen that they set off depth charges in the harbor every 10 minutes. According to Admiral Georges Abanier, who served as Chief of Staff of the French Navy until his retirement in 1968, Alexandria “is full of Russian warships, submarines and merchant vessels.” Two retired admirals and six retired French generals were aboard the French cruise liner Jean Mermoz. They are leading a group of 400 tourists, half of them Legion of Honor members, who are retracing “Napoleon’s footsteps.” The tour took them to Malta and Egypt before landing in Israel. The tourists reported that they were appalled by the poverty they saw during their three-day visit to Egypt. They said that on the way to Cairo and Luxor they were kept under strict supervision and were subjected to anti-Israel propaganda by their guides. They noted the protective brick walls in front of buildings in Cairo, a precaution against bombings. But their general impression was that the Egyptian people do not want another war with Israel. They said that a half dozen Jewish tourists in the group were permitted ashore in Egypt without difficulties. “The Egyptians knew we were going to Israel,” the visitors said.