Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-08
ARABI IN PRISON.


Cairo Correspondent Of the New York Herald.
"What Ia to be done with Arabii" il the aues-
tion In every ones mouth. Whether he is to be
hanged or set free is the basis upon which many
betting books are made up-even betting that
he will be hanged, two to one that he will be set
free. Whatever is done should be done at once.
Curiously enough 1t was the Egyptian ministers
who first suggested that Arab should have the
benefit of an English barrister for his defense
When 1t became known, however, that Mr.. VII
frid Blunt had sent out barrister and solicitor
for that purpose the Egyptian ministers changed
their minds and took the ground that in ''view
OF the present disturbed state OF public feeling it
was imperative that Arabis fate should be
decided without delay. and objections which
would be Involved by the presence of English
barristers and which would be incomprehensible
to the great body Of the people,"
In the meantime Arab Il shut up with his
colleagues and satellites In large public build
ing In the European quarter Of the town. He
Is watched by Circassiap guards, who occupy
the interior of the house, while company OF
Grenadier Guards stands entry at every possible
exit from the extemporized prison. Arab says
that the Circassians treat him cruelty and eat
his bread and onions and steal his tobacco. He
seems afraid Of their assassinating him. and has
asked several times that British soldiers be
placed In the room with him. This demand has
been refused. but an oficer now secs that the
Circassians do not abuse Arab in any way
Arab now presents striking contrast to the
tall, erect horseman who on the 9th Of Septem-
Der, 1881 rode, sword in hand. up to the Khe
Abdin. Surrounded by four batteries of Krupp
guns and 1000 troops the Khedive was a pris-
oner In his palace. was an eyewitness of the
scene that then took place. AS Arab rode up
the khedive-reGeinng for a moment the i'm
selfto his full height, and drawing back bis well
formed head, commanded Arabi f'Put DIP that
swordl'
Arab, taken completely by surprise, hesti-
then felt convinced that Arab lacked ply sioal
courage The Khedive, profting by the hesita-
ton, made commanding gesture with his
right hand. Arab then swung up the hit of
as saber and replaced it In its scabbard. The
Khedive then commanded. "Get of that horse!"
This order Arab also obeyed. 1t was then that
Sir Auckland (then Mr. Colvin bent toward the
khedive and said, "Order him shot" Instead
of this the Khedive said to Arab, "What do you
want?" Arab seemed now to have completely
recovered his presence of mind, and with six of
his officers by his side replied, II have three
demands to make Of you, and If they be not
granted have your successor ready. l first in
sist that the present ministry (the RiaZ minis
try) be dismissed; second. the pay Of the army
commission. and. third an Egyptian parliament
mnst be established" The Khedive. after q
short and rapid discussion with the ministers.
repued: u grant the first demand | dismiss
the ministry. The other two demands cannot
decide upon without first referring them to the
Sultan"
As soon as the decree Diminishing the Riaz
Ministry was signed and handed to Arab the
troops, with music at their head, marched
triumphantly from the Palace square, and thus
began the drama which ended in the cast-fron
picnic Of British army and 'march past of
Hfghlanders, Beloochees, Guardsmen and Ben
gal cavalry in the same Palace square just one
year later. The Arab victorious and trium-
plant was large. very dark. powerfully built
man, with elastic step, commanding presence
a man who resembled Davidson, the famous Ger
man tragedian, and who could. make fortune
If he had chosen to act Ottello instead of playing
the role OF military pretender or, at best, of a
tenth-rate Cromwell. Such was the Arab of
few months ago. The Arab of to-day is pale
cafe an tait, bloated and haggard fellah. His
eyes have lost their brilliancy and extraordi-
nary power. His hair, instead of being raven
black, is streaked with gray. His once black
but now gray mustache is reinforced by stub
bly,, streaked beard. He now stoops, and walks
with shutting, uncertain step. He passes his
time In praying and washing-two inseparable
rituals of Islam. He also suffers from severe
attack Of diarrhoea He has In his room large
silver basin, and pitcher with q long nose like
Ia teapot he constantly pours water, which is
scented, over his hands. The poor man.
although now treated with the greatest kind
ness, is evidently suffering most severely, both
mentally and physically. The sooner the trial
begins the better for everybody