The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-06-15
A PRINCE OF RAsCALs.
The Long and Unattractive Career OF
Moussa-el-Akkad.

MouSsa- ell -Akkad.
The prince OF modern knaves would not have
been incarcerated recently in the San Stefano
prison for life had not Italy abolished capital
punishment. The career of Moussa-el-Akkad
seems to be ended, however, although a man
who has three times escaped the death penalty
may again reappear in active life. a remark
able and accomplished creature was Moussa-el-
Akkad, although he was a human reptile. He
was at home equally in European capital or in
the Nubian desert. He dined with kings and
unfailingly betrayed them. He melted massa-
cres and looted cities; and to-day there is to his
credit in the Bank of England an immense cash
deposit. He first attracted attention in 1873 by
being condemned to death for poisoning his rich
Egyptian uncle, whose wife he had married only
to poison in turn. Money saved his life, and
after temporary Punishment he reappeared in
Alexandria as the trusted agent and spy of
Khedive Ismail, rising in 1879 to the rank of Bey
of the first class. With Ismail deposed he con-
tnued to serve Tewfk, the new ruler as well as
to draw pay from Ismail and the pretender Ha-
linn at Constantinople, thus serving three mas
ters, each conniving through him against the
other. He also plotted with Arab Pasha so
cleverly that when the English bombarded Alex
andria in 1882 all the foreign residents looked to
him for protection. Yet during Arabis rebel
lion it was he who melted the massacre of Euro
peans and who led in person the fanatics through
Alexandria. looting the treasure of these same
European residents. Then he fled to Crete, was
captured by the British, and sentenced to death,
but by turning states evidence he had his sen,
tence commuted to banishment to Massowah.
the chief port of Abyssnia, on the Red Sea-
Thither went the Italians in 1885 to gain foot
hold in Africa, and at once he became a man Of
great Importance.
The Italians reposed in him the most i'm
plicit confidence, awarded him contracts and
made him judge of the local courts. Then
came the horrible Dongola massacre, when an
Italian regiment was lured to an ambush by the
Abysslnians. 1t was Moussa-el-Akkad who
opened public subscription for suitable me-
mortal to the victims with contribution of
$500; and yet it was also he who secretly told
the natives when to strike their deadly blow.
He visited European capitals, and while at Rome
was dined by Crispi and King Humbert, who dec
grated his person with royal orders. Returning
to Abyssinia, his power seemed unlimited.
Then came the most daring stroke of his life
The native Emperor was to be crowned at
Adowah with magnificent regalia sent from
Rome. The italian army marched thither,
leaving Massowah unprotected. Had not an
Arab emssary, bearing tel-tale letter, been
opportunely caught, Moussa's plan to massacre
the entire Italian army and all the foreign resi-
dents at the seaport would not have miscarried.
Moussa was sentenced to death, but King Hum
bert changed the military sentence, in accord
ance with the law of the kingdom, to imprison-
ment for life 1t may be said of Moussa that
he never failed to betray a trust, although he
was the most trusted of Orientals