The Washington herald., 1911-10-13
THE RISE AND FALL OF
ARAB PASHA IN EGYPT

The recent death of Arab Pasha, the
famous leader of the Egyptian. rising in
1889. recalls one OF the most dramatic
historical incidents OF that insurrection
which led 70 the British occupation of
that country. Born of a fellah Ipeas-
anti family in 1882 he entered the army
as conscript, but soon was made
commissioned officer OF Said Pasha, who
initiated the system OF replacing the
foreign officers by native Egyptians in
1889.
Arab quiciily rose in rank, but he ex-
perienced some vicissitudes of fortune.
He was charged with peculation, and
punished with some hundred blows with
a cane and put on half pay. Having
learned how to read and write, Arab
went to the Religious College of Cairo
10 study science. He later had charge Of
the transport in the Abyssinian cam
paign, and in 1875 he organized q secret
society among the fellahin officers. This
caused his being employed by Ismail
Pasha' In fomenting a disturbance against
the ministry OF Nubar Dilson and &c
Bhgnieres. 1t was said at Cairo at the
time that in payment for this service lie
received a wife from Ismal Pasha's
harem and the command of a regiment
IhiS increased his influence with the
secret society, which, under the feeble
government of Tewik Pasha and the
dual control, began to agitate against
the Europeans
In September, 1881, Arab appeared at
the head of a military and popular re-
VOLT compelling the Khedive TO dismiss
his former ministry and to convene a
parliament, called the assembly of nat
abLes. Arab became under-secretary for
war, but he still continued his intrigues.
The assembly OF natables claimed the
right of voting the budget and thus
came into conflict with the foreign comp
trollers, who had been appointed to guard
management Of Egyptian finances. On
the fall OF Cherif, Arab became minis
ter for war, and soon acquired dicta-
torial power, which alarmed the British
government. His armlng OF the forts at
Alexandra was regarded as a menace to
the British fleet.
England then appealed to France. the
other member OF the dual control. to CO.
operate in active measures against Arab,
France, It will he remembered. demurred.
Consequently. after due notice, the Brit
ish fleet, under Sir Beauchamp Seymour.
bombarded the fort on July H. 1852, and
q British force under Sir Garnet WOlse-
ley was landed. After a night march
through the desert, Arab. whose follow
ers previously had set fire TO Alexandria.
was defeated at Tel-el-Kebir. Arab and
his lieutenant, Toulba Pasha, fed TO
Cairo, where they surrendered to Gen.
Drury Lowe
II was first intended to charge Arab
with murder and inCendiarisn. but he
was actually brought to trial on the
charge of rebellion. In accordance with
an understanding made with the British
representative, Lord Dufferin. Arab
pleaded guilty, and a formal sentence OF
death was Immediately communted by
the Khedive to one OF perpetual exile
from Egypt and its dependencies. He
was sent to Ceylon, where he remained
for nearly twenty years. In May. 1901.
the khedive Abbas II exercised his pre-
rOgative OF mercy and Arab was permit
ted to return TO his native land.
1t is interesting to recall the fact that
when England first occupied Egypt Lord
Harrington Che late Duke OF Devon
shire) believed the occupation would not
last more than six months. But a
sequel to the British advent in Egypt
were the Inflated mission OF Gordon and
the battles OF Sudan. Although Britain
was practically forced BY circumstances
into the occupation OF Egypt, that coun-
try has improved under British admin
istration. and a recent understanding
with France mas made Englands posi-
tion in Egypt more secure.
Arab was extremely popular at the time
of the insurrection. but he manifested
none Of the high qualities of leadership
It was owing TO the decision of the Glad
stone government to lombard Alexandria
that John Bright left the cabinet and
parted with his old colleagues. That was
one OF the heaviest blows sustained by
the liberal premier, who tried hard, but
in vain. to induce Bright to reconsider
his decision.
When the question arose whether Arab
should be put to death. Bright wrote to
the prime minister urging Clemency. Mr..
Gladstone, in replying, took a severe
line
L am sorry TO say the inquiry is-too
likely to show that Arab is very much
more than a rebel. Crimes of the gravest
kind have been committed: and with most
of them he stands, | fear, in presumptive
Uhat is, improved connection. In truth,
I must say that, having begun with no
prejudice against him. and with the strong
desire that he should be saved, I am al
most driven to the conclusion that he is
a bad man, and that ii will not be an
Injustice II he goes the road which thou
sands of his innocent countrymen through
him have trOdden." FLANEUR.
Copyright, 1911. by Court Gossip syndicate.)