Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-28
AN Ex-KHEDIvK POISONED.
Isman Pasha's Death Reported-Hil
Harem and Princely Wealth.


rumor II current in Paris that Ismail
Pasha, ex-Khedive Of Egypt, has been poisoned
in Constantinople. A correspondent Of the
New York Times. writing from Berlin in Zebra
airy last, gave the following account Of the
manner in which Ismail Pasha, the ex-khedive,
has been held 90 long virtual prisoner by the
sultan:
'Far moro mysterious is the condition Of the
other two ex-sovereigns now under restraint
Their magnificent prisons are on the lovely
shores Of the Bosphorus. The one is Murad,
formerly sultan of the Ottoman empire; the
other is Ismail, once the all powerful Khedivs
or King of Egypt Both are maintained in the
strictest seclusion, cut of entirely from every
kind of communication with the outer world
Indeed 1t IL only by means OF harem rumors
that it is known that they are still in the land
Of the living.
Nothing is more remarkable than the man
ner in which Ismail has dropped out of public
sight. From the time OF his accession in 1868
to the date of his abdication in 1879 he was one
OF the most prominent and important figures
on the chessboard of European politics. There
IL hardly monarch or notable statesman In
Europe who has not been entertained by him
on the banks OF the Nile with the most bound
less hospitality. And when, after his departure
from Egypt, he took up his residence In Europe
he was received at Rome, Vienna and Berlin rs
borough House with royal honors. His harem
and snite were installed in the beautiful Nea-
politan palace of King Humbert at La Favorita
and several OF the royal italian chamberlains
and aids-de-camp were attached to his person
His enormous wealth-he is credited with pos
sesslng fortune of some $40. OOO, O00-investcd
in European securities placed practically every
luxury and enjoyment of life within his reach
and yet he was not satisfied.
ION December 20, 1887. he embarked his
kN. N
dred persons, on board one of the largest YES
sells OF the RubattinO line and prepared to sail
from Naples to Constantinople. The voyage
began under orinous auspices, tho ship being
delayed three days within sight of Vesuvus By
the terrible storm which prevailed At length,
on the 30th instant tho vessel anchored off the
Golden Horn, and several OF the principal off,
Gals Of the sultan's household Immediately
proceeded on board to welcome Ismail in their
masters name. He landed tho same afternoon
and took up his residence at his fGiry-like and
exqulsltely beautiful palace OF Ermeghian. On
the following day, Friday, Ismail was re-
ceived by Abdul Hamid himself, who treated
him with great distinction and even invited
him to accompany him to the ceremony of the
Selamlik and to pray beside him ut the mosque
''At the conclusion of the ceremony Ismail
returned to his palace at Ermeghian, and from
that time to this he has never been seen with
out its walls. Two years ago it became known
at the YidiZ Kiosk that he had craved the
sultan's permission to proceed to Vlchy fer the
benefit of his health. His imperial majesty
had, however, curtly refused ON the ground
that the air of Constantinople was far more
conducive to the health Of true believer, such
as the ex-khedive, than that Of France.
''All attempts made by former friends and
adherents of Ismail to obtain an audience or
even glimpse Of him are obstructed by the
officials whom Abdul Hamid has attached to
his person. and this man who. more than any
one else, finds pleasure and amusement in the
association and conversation of clever Euro
pean friends and acquaintance, is reduced to
the sole society of the stupid Levantiue women
who compose his harem and to that OF the
eunuchs in attendance. Neither Emperor
William, the Duke Of Edinburgh, the Duke
of Genoa nor any other of his former intimates
and friends, has been allowed either to SEQ
him or even to take any notice of his exist
ence during their visits to Constantnopie and
his Imprisonment in his palace is quite as strict
as that OF the ex-Sultan Murad who was Alb
dull Hands predecessor"