AN ENGLISHMAN'S DEFENCE OF ARABI BEY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3661, 9 April 1883, Page 4

AN ENGLISHMAN'S DEFENCE OF ARABI BEY.

The action of the British Government iv quelling the rebellion in Eyypt has been criticised in a hostile spiiit in an unexpected i punter. Lord Charles Beresl'ord, who has been eulogised for the gallant pait he lookin tho bombardment of Alexandria, has written a long letter to the Times iv defence of Arabi Boy, in which he declares that the "National" movement had the sympathy of many of the officers of tho invading force, as it had the sympathy of the Eg} ptian people. Lord Beresford gives a summary of recent events in Egypt, and thinks the question may be asked: "Where was England's justification for the late nr'litury operations iv Egypt:-— operations Avhich many think were undertaken against a party who Averemerely agitatnig for reforms, the necessity for which is allowed on all sides. Can the justification be that it Avas necessary to continue the policy inaugurated by the lato Government, Avhich aimed at securing a stronger hold of the Suez Canal r If so, Avhy did not England put this forward as her reason for hostilities, instead of stating that she Avas only (pie 11 ing a rebellion, the causes of which she did not pauseto fairly enquire into r If the late hostilities were not undertaken to support the policy referred to, it must surely be thought that," Avithout sufficient cause, England drifted into a war as arbitrary as unnecessary." The Figaro, in reference to the letter, observes : ''' To say the least of it, it was indiscreet. Not that he has not a right to possess his personal opinion as to the nnvistibility of the Egyptian Avar, but certainly it would have been better had the commander of 11.M. gunboat Condor refrained from insinuating that the Avhole of our interference in Egypt has been a mistake ; that is the view my Lords take of it, according to repoit. If it is becoming for Lord Charles Beresford to criticise in the papers the war he helped so pluekily to wage, it is clear that every other naval officer engaged in Alexandria may undertake the same functions. Imagine the result of all of them Avriting in a similar strain to the Times on the same day."