New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-12
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The new method of interviewing deserves
study. We find in recent issue OF The Lon
don Times what would be termed in America an
interview over a column IN length,
purportIng to be n conversation between the
Paris correspondent and the ex-Khedive of
Egypt. IsmaiI Pacha was on the eve of cross
ing the Channel and making London his per-
manent residence Once there, he would dis
appear from public view, for the Journals
would consider it beneath their dignity TO take
any notice of him so long rs no was in London.
The Paris correspondent resolved TO make him
momentarily conspicuous plior to the total
eclipse which must eDsue. lie decided upon
an "interview." But mark the refinement Of
the process. He did not look up lsmairs ad-
dress IN the directory, send in card, and begin
in faltering tone" Excuse me, Your High
" ness, but am a representative OF The Lon
" don Times, and Ii you have any views Oh the
Egyptian question the public will be glad TO
{" hear them" He merely looked about for a
common friend" had that common
friendr invite him to meet the ex-Khedive
ut dinner, and i'll this way, TO Use
his own expression, filled up a gap
in my acquaintance" For it was the first
time" he takes pains to add, 81 had met a
man who might have borne me grudge, il
"deposed monarchs, more olear-sighted after
their fall, were not usually indulgent toward
"former critics." Evidently the correspondent
had sent from Paris pretty stiff dispatches
about lsmals conduct in years past. Ismail.
however, was so polite and good-natured rs
10 forget them. Possibly he had never read
them.
The correspondent, in filling up the gar"
in his acquaintance naturally found it " inter-
"estng TO see q man who, having been used
"to DO approached with signs of the pre-
"foundest submission, and to be the centre of
"a punctous ceremony, with power which
Seemed to be bound up in the niceties of
"etiquette, had reapsed into private sta
9" tiou, behaving like an ordinary mortal and
"not resenting as sacrilege any hint of
"blamen The correspondent evidently con-
sidered it necessary in the course of the
dinner to point out where Ismail had
made mistakes in his public career, and
the criticisms were received in proper
spirit. When the interview began in
earnest Ismail made the usual feeble protest
against having anything drawn out of him,
but his new acquaintance treasured him ~
remarking that what he talked about was
immaterial. "Your Highness can look back
"on fourteen years. reign, giving occasion for
"several years of reflection. With such material,
Subjects are net exhausted" So the CONVEX
satlon ran on about the Berlin Congress,
England's position In Egypt, Tewfks charac-
teristics, and the Canal question, the eorre-
spondent having his share in the historical
"reminiscences and philosophical reflections. At
one time sharp question was asked J" Might
"they not place an Armenian at the head of
"the Government" Ismail seemed to realize
that he was dealing with statesman. Instead
of answering the question. he winked hard.
OF course the correspondent does not say, a.
M american reporter would have said, that
Ismail winked ct him. His cautious express