The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-12-19 00:00:00

,Stourbribge erserber,

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19th, 1885.

OUR 'NILE-LAND TROUBLE.

Custssatis 'quiet bids -fair to be broken in
Upon by-the renewal of hostilities between
the Arabs of the Soudan and the Anglo-
Egyptian forces congregated round about the
vaguely-defined limit-line of Lower Nubia.
A strong body of Soudanese have pushed
down the Nile and advanced upon the out-
posts gathered at points in the vicinage of
the Upper Egyptian frontier. For some
iveeks the activity of the rebel soldiery has
given great trouble, and to all appearances
an invasion of what is the recognised terri-
tory of Egypt is contemplated by the leaders
ef the- Mandist army. Such an adventure,
oppose I toeLe sources of Egyptian defence,
including, as they do, the military strength
of Britain, can but, in the long run, result in
gnominious failure. Overwhelming defeat
certainly awaits those swarthy sons of the
desert, who, emboldened by their inglorious
triumph at Khartoum, and the abandonment
of Dongola by the British, now, in all seem-
ing seriousness, set themselves to move for-
ward towards the Mediterranean. One
au!(' have thought that the 3landists would
ere this have learned the ilesson of past
encounters with the troops of her Majesty,
but fanatic zeal and self-trust apparently
render the Arab incapable of taking a logical
view of the issue, or inherent bravery and
immoveable fixity of purpose nerve him on
to do or die, though his march be against
irresistible odds. Herein lies the chief diffi-
culty of Arab warfare; it is an encounter
with a superstitious faith which knowns no
failure or defeat. The devout Mandist slain
in battle dies fervently believing that he will
straightway receive the martyr-crown. The
cessation of military operations by the British
has afforded the Soudanese opportunity to
rally themselves for fresh endeavours for
conquest, and events prove that they have
utilised their chances. We mast now either
allow them to advance upon Egyptian soil or
threw up an impassable barrier of British
bayonets, for without us the strength of the
Khedive to defend himself would doubtless
be inadequate. After our past participation
in the affairs of Nile-land, there can be but
one rational coarse, and that is to continue
the policy of asesisting a weak civilised state
to withstand the menace and attacks of
savage tribes. Indeed, the English military
authorities have already been stirred to take
vigorous action. General Stephenson, in,
command, is to the fore, and additional
troops have been ordered to reinforce the
Lady ofisotne 14,000 English soldiers at pre-
sent in Egypt. - Doubtless ere the New Year
dawn* the General will have an army ex-
ceeding the number mentioned concentrated
en the Nubian frontier; and with these it
woald be possible enough for him to re-
oosaqaer Dengola, and win signal victories; on
Seadaneee ground. Such an outcome would
be highly popular among an influential party
in'the'Egyptian capital who desire nothing
more fervently than to see their impotent
country aggrandised and re-invigorated by
the might and at the cost of Britain. But:
such a procedure is precisely what would
not be approved of here at home. We:have
undertaken to prevent injustice, we shall
certainly not be parties to the perpetration
of sets of oppression. If we could only getl
the Soudanese to see and respect our true
position in the matter the troubles would
quickly be at an end. But prejudice and
ignorance blind them, they behold in us but
interested allies of Egypt, and regard us con-
sapiently as an enemy to be fought against
with bitterest hate. So it was that the
baroto Gordon, who literally laid down his
life for the dwellers in the desert, was mis-
ttatierstood and crnelly slaughtered by the
very people he sought to succour. We must
sill seek to show a Christian spirit, even in
the face of the provocation of fanaticism,
and eompel these'poor error-stricken, yet
-courageous Arabs to recognise in us power-
-tut friends of right. Britain would gain
nothing for herself or for Egypt by wresting
from the Sondanese their territory. Let
them keep it. But they must net be per-
matted. to encroach upon the boundaries of
Egypt. From that we shall be well able to
prevent them by military strength and skill.
The whole. matter may safely be left to
General Stephenson, who will act with cool-
ness, decision, and sagacity in any emergency
which any arise; and ,rill extend magnani-
' itnotei forbearance to the unreasoning aggree-
seem The Soudanese will have to be taught
•sWith distinctness, however, the boundary
line of their own laud, and -compelled, willy
iii Ily, to respect their neighbours' territory.
The frontier must once for all be determined;
and we, the strong arbiter between Soudan
tribes and Egyptian monarch, say to each,
" Hitherto shalt thou go, but no farther."
Such is an honourable attitudelfor Britain te
maintain. Adhered to as the main principle
of cur policy, the result may be that in the
end Gordon and Stewart and Earle, and all
the warrior band of brave Englishmen who
lie buried by the Nile, will not have shed
their blood for nought. If the lawless hordes
of fanatics in the future break in again upon
•tlie peace of the desert towns, or seek to
• plunder the Egyptians, it may be our duty
- be mice more exert a cruel kindness towards
them, though this part we trust in all
earnestness we shall not be again called up.
• en to play. Englishmen were irritated
much at the thankless task in the past,
eepecially when they remembered that the
mat of the civilised world allowed their
nation to tread the winepress ot right alone.
But though the task has been one so girt
about with difficulties that we are unable at
times to avoid choosing what afterwards
proved net the bost method of obtaining a
Ezed aed benign end, the high purpose
which has hitherto actuated our country in
the Nile-land difficulty through evil and good
report, cannot fail to hereafter be recognised,
. and bring us, nationally, its due reward.
Let.* wise regard for justice govern our
attitude in the future, and let us continue
to evince-a determination, at whatever cost,
with or without assistance, to see right re-
spected lsy Arab and Egyptian alike.

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