The times., 1899-06-19
THE PRESS IN EGYPT.
A Fearless Newspaper That supports
English Reforms.


By far the abIest native paper is the
"Mokattam," named after the range of
hills in the vicinity of Cairo The "Mokat-
tam" set out to lay before the people of
Egypt the true meaning of the reforms
introduced by the British, and it had at
the outset a difficult and dangerous task.
Many have been the attempts either TO Sc
cure its suppression or to purchase its in
fuence for the reactionary cause. But,
uniniuenced by threats, cajoleries, or prof
erred bribes, the "Mokattam" has steadily
given an independent support to British
reforms, and fearlessly criticised the public
actions of men in high places. If the
"Mokattam" were published in Turkey
the life OF its editor would not be worth
five minutes purchase. In Egypt, despite
the CORY epistles Of Oriental Captain
Moonlights, the editor continues cheer
fully to ply his trenchant pen, and today
the "Mokattam," which circulates from
Alexandria to Fashoda, and from Saukim
to Khartoum, wields considerable infiu-
ence among the educated classes of Egypt.
Twice has the office of the "Mokattam"
been the scene Of violent demonstrations
On one occasion it innocently remarked
that Napoleon |. saw the light in little
Corsica" whereupon the fiery "Bosphore
Egyptien" declared that this was a vile
insult to the patriotic people of famous
island, with result that a crowd of furious
Corscans came down and threatened the
editor of the Mokattam' with direful ven
geance.
Again, in 1894 when the political at
mosphere was charged with electricity, a
mob of Egyptians, after having having at
tempted to show their devotion to the
young Khedive. by dragging his carriage
in triumph from the mosque, turned their
attention to the offending "Mokattam.
The editor, whose residence adjoins the Of
flee was in bed suffering from an attack of
influenza, when he heard loud cries in the
courtyard below. He rose, opened the win
dow. and found himself confronted by
crowd OF Arabs. who threw dust on their
heads to the accompaniment of doleful
howls.
What do you want?" asked the editor.
Indignantly; and back came the reply We
want you to change your policy We want
you to change your policy!
The editor promptly sent for the police:
then cry of ITO the British headquar-
tersr' was raised, and the mob started to-
ward the Sharia Kasr-el-N Nil. They had
not gone many yards before two or three
policemen rushed upon them. whereupon
the demonstrators 1ed in all directions,
each man vociferously declaring that his
neighbor was the real culprit. The excite
ment and exposure threw the editor into
! high fever; meanwhile the authorities
deemed it necessary to guard the "Mokat-
tam office night and day, lest an attempt
should be made to burn it to the ground.
The editor lay for some days obiivious to
the world. On his recovery. instead of
modifying the policy OF his paper, he ex-
claimed. Il know these people, and sat
down and penned stronger editorial than
those which had originally given offence.
He was right There We're no more DEM
onstrations in his courtyard; the hostile
party was thoroughly and hopelessly
cowed. The British administrators Of
Egypt owe more to the 'Mokattam" than
any one outside the country can begin to
realize.