SIR ELDON GORST DEAD

Southland Times, Issue 16785, 13 July 1911, Page 5

SIR ELDON GORST DEAD

(By Telegraph.—Prase Association. —Copyright-! LONDON, July 12. Received July 13, 12.45 a.m. Sir Eldon Gorst Is dead. News of the death of the late British Minister in Egypt comes not as a surprise. Some months ago Sir Eldon Gorst was invalided home suffering from paralysis, and his condition has been regarded as grave. A few days ago Sir Edward Grey stated in the House of Commons that Sir Eldon Gorst had handed in his resignation. Although his work in Egypt has been the subject of much criticism, it was conceded that Sir Eldon had demonstrated that he was an able, conscientious, and hard-working man. As one writer said recently, “If his resignation should become necessary, there Is no doubt that ample opportunity could be found for ids abilities in other branches of the service. He is on the active list of the Diplomatic Corps and might easily be made Minister or Ambassador at some important capital In accordance with the direct promotions which frequently occur in that service.” From an article over the name of “Viator” which appeared In the "Dally Mall” a year ago we make the following extracts. The writer, after referring to the criticisms made by Mr Roosevelt, says:—“ When he succeeded Lord Cromer in 1907 everybody who knew the character and career of Sir Eldon Gorst predicted a radical change of policy. Was ! it not written In the chronicles of the time that he would rule the Egyptians not as Pharaoh: that he would be content to ride in the second chariot, and to be in the sight of all men the faithful and obedient servant of the Khedive? All this has come to pass, and more. The British Agent has ceased to be ruler . in Egypt. When he waits on the Khedive he is no longer received, as Lord Cromer was received, without a, _jj moment’s delay and with the distinction due to his great position. He waits in. the ante-chamber like any other courtier | or official. When he appears before .. the people It is not, like Joseph, arrayed in vestures of fine linen, with a gold chain about his neck and Pbaroah’s 1 ring upon his hand. Sir Eldon Gorst * prefers a motor-cycle to a chariot and a Norfolk jacket with knickerbockers to the trappings of state. We like to see great men unbend and show some of the little vanities and weaknesses of com- : mon humanity. But we would have them choose the right time and place. We do not care to sea them in their shirt sleeves. And this aristocratic prejudice is even stronger in the Egyptians than in ourselves. It was not to be expected that the son of Sir John Gorst, a member of the Fourth Party and a man of strong 1 individuality, with a wholesome intolerance of mediocrity, would be without a character of his own. Sir Eldon Gorst inherits both the individuality and the ability of his father. When. “Johnny Gorst” for that was his familiar and significant name before he changed it In order to avoid confusion with his father —went to Cairo at the age of twenty-six a great career was assured for him. The young attache had Industry and capacity that speedily gave him ample and accurate knowledge, and carried him step by step to some of the highest positions in the land. Lord Cromer, a shrewd judge and cautious in the choice of his instruments, made him Adviser to the Ministry of the Interior, and afterwards Financial Adviser. In both these offices Sir Eldon Gorst proved himself worthy of the confidence of the great Pro-Con-sul. He made himself thoroughly familiar with the country and the people. He learned not only to speak Arabic, but to write and read it like a native. His social qualities and cosmopolitan tastes made him very popular outside purely official circles, and the Khedive found in him a relief from the “overbearing Baring,” as Lord Cromer was sometimes called by men who came in conflict with him. The Khedive and Sir Eldon Gorst became fast friends, and much was expected from this friendship when Lord Cromer retired and gave place to Sir Eldon Gorst. To succeed a man like Lord Cromer is always a hard, and often a thankless, task. Lord Cromer, whom Cairo called “the Lord,” is one of those silent, sedate, and strong men vtho personify the power and the dignity of the British. Empire. He made the Egypt of today, and. he ruled it to the end. The Khedive recognised in him a master, intolerant only of injustice and intrigue and the people acknowledged in him a friend. Sir Eldon Gorst has never Impressed the natives with the sense either of personal dignity and reserve or of the power behind him. He has cultivated the habits of democracy in a land that respects only the manners and traditions of aristocratic government, and has had to learn a lesson from a leader of democracy. He has overlooked' the fact that great changes have come over Egypt during the last ten years—■ changes that have transformed not Cairo alone but the whole valley of the Nile, and have affected the attitude of the people towards Europeans. And now Sir Eldon Gorst is dead and his critics may be silent. Sir Eldon was born in New Zealand on 25th June, 1861, being the eldest son of Sir John Gorst, and he had held several other important diplomatic appointments.