THE KHEDIVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12931, 29 July 1905, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE KHEDIVE.

The present Viceroy of Egypt is the seventh .pf his line, ,and, great-great-grandson of Mehemct Ali, the founder of the latest Egyptian dynasty. At the early age of eighteen lie succeeded his father, Tewfik Pasha, who was suddenly carried off- by an attack = 'of influenza in the year 1892"a victim to the incapacity.of ■ his native doctors.'' ■ . •

His college course at Vienna was barely completed when lie was thus .summoned to a position of dignity and difficulty combined, from which there was no withdrawal. - In the art of government he had had no training; but the wisdom of his father had saved him from becoming a hardened Oriental by ordaining that his early . education .should include a certain amount of school discipline "in Switzerland and Austria and a- course, of European travel. In these circumstances, he paid his first visit to England, whose political influence in Egypt has been of such untold advantage to that country during the past fivc-and-tweiity years. 'EARLY DAYS. - 1 It is not to be wondered at that' upon his succession this highly intelligent, fullblooded youth should have imagined that he' was going to 'be monarch of all he surveyed. He had lived in many lauds and knew many things; lie would not submit to the chafing restriction of an English bearingrein. . Such is .impetuous youth all the world over; gratitude and caution are not its strong points. His life and his throne had' not been saved for him ,by the force of British arms; these things were done for his father, .And.so/it came about .that in the. early days of his reign the young Khedive fell into bad bauds, did not,fully realise the position and the responsibilities of the occupying Power, adopted an antagonistic attitude towards all reforms that were introduced into his distracted dominions, and bade fair to pose- as a greater reactionary than his great-uncle Abbas 1;'-' It will be remembered-that the differences between himself and Lord Cromer culminated in a strong divergence of opinion, as to the value of the Egyptian Army, and this opportunity was made,, full use of 'by our Consul-General to explain :to the young Khedive the exact relations.'in' which' it would henceforth he necessary -for England and Egypt to stand towards one another. So clear was the explanation given, and 1 so intelligent was the young ruler, that from this moment all chance of'misunderstanding was at an end, and the Khedive has earned the thanks of the British Government and the gratitude .of his own people for the cordial co-operation which lie ' has since afforded to those who arc primarily responsible to civilisation for the welfare and progress of Egypt. Indeed, it .is'impossible to talk with him. over the affairs of his country for long' without hearing from his own lips some expression of his admiration for Lord Cromer, and of the. advantage of dealing with a man whose firmness of purpose and directness of speech combine to let you " know exactly where you ?re." MUTUAL REGARD. . " Such is the political past of this young man who is now paying his third or fourth visit to England. ,' -• On each .previous .occasion, he- has won golden opinions from those with whom he has been brought in contact, for his charm of maimer— in the heat of political conflict with his advisers at home— deserts him. And he, too, is'said to cherish a warm regard for our Royal Family and for the institutions of England ; and to treasure in especial remembrance the private interviews and. intimate conversations which lie has enjoyed with Queen Victoria and King Edward. That this is a genuine feeling none can doubt who have noticed his hospitality to English visitors in Cairo; nor must we fail to recognise his particularly gracious act in inviting the Duke of Connaught to perform the important ceremony of opening the Assuan Dam, instead of himself undertaking that great historic function. ' PRIVATE traits. The Khedive has very strong domestic instincts, and is never so happy as when he is surrounded by his children in the ~ centre of his. family circle. He is,. more-

over, a devout Mussulman, and adds to . the prestige and influence which he already possesses with Iris co-religionists by the deep interest which lie takes in all questions bearing upon' uie future of their faith. He is , t a:ii admirable linguist, speaking English, French, German, Turkish, and, of course, Arabic, with perfect ease—a rare accomplishment in persons of his race, but one which is of the greatest advantage to the ruler of a country wherein go many European Ministers and European, interests have to be consulted. Such leisure as, lie lias lie devotes to the breeding of horses and to the improvement of his Arab stud, but here his sporting instinct may be said to end.