THE CRY OF THE EXILE.

Evening Star, Issue 9125, 4 May 1893, Page 4

THE CRY OF THE EXILE.

Mr Clement Scott, in an interesting article in the ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ gives an account of an interview he has lately had with Arabi Pasha, the prisoner of Ceylon:—Arabi believes (says Mr Scott)— conscientiously believes—that the occupancy of Egypt by the English has been wholly for the advantage of his country. “In fact,” said Arabi to me, with marked gesture, “the English have done everything for Egypt that I would have done had I been in power. They have executed all that I could have prophesied would happen had Egypt been ruled by one of her own sons. All that I fought for was Egypt for the Egyptians, and this policy the English have endeavored to carry out.” I ventured to touch with some delicacy on the immediate situation and the cause for the Interference of Lord Cromer with an official appointment. Arabi was perfectly familiar with the cause of the offence. He knew his man. “Well?” said I. Arabi answered: “ Had I been in power I should hare done the same. The English have never yet made a mistake, so far as I see.” This was Arabi’s answer. “And now, Pasha, that you have told me with perfect frankness your ideas on the Egypt of the present as contrasted with the Egypt of the past, I must ask you to summarise, as far as you can, your present situation. Your hopes, your aspirations, and your prospects—in fact, tell me, as a friend, what you would like me to convey as a message to England.” “My friend,” said lie, “my friend, tell the English people that lam an old man. Old before my time. Tell the English people that I have been ten years in exile, and that I am broken down in health, unfit for anything but reflection on the past, incapable of dishonesty of dishonor. Tell the English people that you have looked into my eyes and seen them clouded with the shadow that will soon close to them the light of day for ever.” “And what would you suggest about the future ? ” I asked. “The future?” and here his strong voice faltered again. “ I want to die amongst my own people. I want to see Egypt those I love before the last hour comes. If the English Government would allow me to go back to Egypt I should go, not as the enemy, but the friend of England. I would consent to be put under police or military surveillance, and to report myself to whomsoever should be appointed for the purpose. I would undertake on my hj onor—and I have kept my word of honor at Ceylon—to have nothing whatever to do with politics in any shape or form. I have done with politics as I have done with war. I want to return to Egypt—there to live as a private gentleman, and there to die amongst my people. This is what I ask from your great country, which has treated mo with such merciful consideration. To you I confide my hopes and my prayers. I have been punished, and I have suffered. I have asked pardon, and still, knowing the English, I ask for mercy.”