Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-10
Chill REN CLOTHED IN RAGS
Old Rebel Declares He Fought for
Justice Alone.
EXPECTED AID OF BRITISH
Complains That He Was Promised
Annuity of $4,000 and Given
S3,OOO-Looks Into Future.

Special Cablegram to The Star.
CAIRO. February 9.-Arabi Pasha has
been interviewed at last. He was found In
a dahibiyeh on the Nile, the smallest and
the shabbiest of households, in fact. And
vet scarce six years have passed since this
peasant who was for few turbulent
months lord and master in the land of the
Pharaohs was an exile in Ceylon.
In the old days when Arab was rebel
even pasha might be passing fich on
So, 600 a year. But alas and alack for the
advantages of British rule! To have only
So, 600 a year is to be pauper In Egypt.
So the exile found when he came back to
his old home.
The pasha is anything but happy. Il be-
lieve the English to be a just and an up
right people" he said. yet when I con-
slider my own case 1 might be pardoned II
l denied these attributes. When l rose IN
rebellion 1t was to redeem the land from
oppression, and counted on the aid of the
English. We were too weak to oppose the
might Of Britain and I surrendered. True.
the intervention of the English saved my
life and 1 undoubtedly owe my liberty to the
kindness of the Prince of Wales
II Am a Pauper::"
"But to what end am l spared? am a
pauper My children are clothed in rags
and in winter must wear the raiment of
summer. If they are sick 1 cannot pay for
a DOCTOR l cannot send them to the gov
eminent schools, and having no money to
Offer l cannot even secure them good en-
ployment. Lord Dufferin promised me $1O,-
900 a year, whereas 1 receive only $1,000
and 1 have fifty persons dependent upon
me-"
The pasta never was rich man. despite
his opportunities "All that l possessed
was six hundred acres of land" he said.
Half inherited from my father and half
bought when land was SO or SIS per
acre."
An oriental never knows the meaning Of
compromise. Arab wants his land now
that he has his liberty. After all what are
Will Confront Gladstone.
IT am an old man." said the pasha, with
a voice of deep solemnity. ''On that dread
day when all men come before Allah for
judgment shall stand with the Prophet by
my side and confront Mr.. Gladstone and his
government. Then will it be known that 1
have sought no sordd or personal end
only justice for my oppressed countrymen."
And what of your country in these
days?' was asked.
1T has progressed by leaps and bounds
under British rule The khedive and the
upper classes are rich beyond the dreams of
aVarice. Luxury aSSallS you on all sides.
Men live in splendor who would not have
dared to exhibit their wealth years ago.
The peasant too, has shared in this in
crease. He is no longer. serf to be beaten
and robbed and compelled to work without
wages.
But do not imagine that the British rule
to which the people owe their liberty and
wealth-is beloved The ruling classes are
hungry for power as in the old days. They
are prepared even to spend money to re-
gain it, for power often makes a stronger
appeal than gold.
Buried in the Past.
''And now a new generation has arisen
that knows not the evils of the past In
their eyes the British are merely the serv-
ants of the khedive, and the good is ascribed
not to them, but to the ruler. The people
are ignorant and give no thought to the
affairs of government
But there is one thing that unites them
all-rich and poor alike-the faith We are
Moslems and would have over us rulers of
our own religion. When the day of trouble
comes be sure that the people will respond
to the call of the faith and not man in
Egypt will stand by your side"