A REBEL OF THE EIGHTIES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8135, 9 May 1906, Page 7

A REBEL OF THE EIGHTIES.

Now that; the attention of the Empire 1b fixed on Egypt once more, additional interest attaches to an account of a visit to Arabi Pasha, supplied to a London weekly by an English lady. For it was Arabi •; Pasha, who, by his rebellion, led to our occupation of., the country. When the •, ■ , ' KERELLION WAS CJRUSHED Arabi was exiled to Ceylon, but , was brought tack four years ago at the request of the PriDoe of Wales. His visitor describes him as a tall man, over six feet, and not at all of '.. a Semitic type. Indeed, he is fair, with white hair; and were it not for the tarboosh on his head, might be taken for a shrewd, good-natured : Glasgow Baillie. Arabi told, bis , visitor that'he had almost - everything he wanted. Everything he had. desired for his country had now been bestowed by the English, and HE ONLY WISHED that all countries in the East could : be governed in a similar manner. Only two changes struck him as necessary.in the. government of 'Egypt. He would like the mixed tribunals done away with, so that foreigners, and natives might be equal before the Courts, and the tax on date palmß abolished. With regard to his,. personal position he > - thought he was.hardly fairly treated .in that the Egyptian Government, while it allowed him £6OO a year hdd confiscated .his estates, which used to bring him in a revenue of £3OOO. His pension will close with hiß death, and no less than ten sons, five daughters, and < three widcws will be left unprovided for. The Boer leaders, be remarked, were treated with i ; MUUH MORS KINDNESS in that none of their property was ' confiscated. Unfortunately for , him, it ia very difficult for Lurd .Cromer to propose a restitution, for the enemies u'f England in Egypt j are always ready to, suggest that there was x some oollusion between. England and Arabi at jthe time of the rebellion. ' His visitor suggests that the: Government might well ask the Khedive to restore his, property. Evidence goes to - show, she says, that he headed the rebellion in a \ spirit of pure patriotism, and his action has been so far justified that tjbe British have gradually introduced all the reforms he strove to ''. effect. .., ',