The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-28


British Rxpedltion.
By special mail kilograms dated at Alden,
Arabia, and written correspondence from
zulla, Annssley bay, We have Interesting re-
ports Of the march of the British expsditionary
force for war from India to Abyssinia, with an
account of the position, employment and pros
poets Of the troops after having effected .
landing on what they now regard as the
hostile soil Of Eastern Africa Colonel
Merewether, who commands the detachment Of
engineers which pioneers the way for the
army, advised that the original intention Of
debarking at Massowah should be abandoned
and Annsslsy bay selected in Its stead. This
was adopted, and from the concentration Of
the Anglo-Indian army at the last named
point the question Of British campaign
against King Theodorus begins to assume an
Importance which the world has been slow to
accord It, the general belief hitherto enter
tanned being that Queen victoria's officers
would not only release the white captives, but
terminate movement which would secure to
her Majesty an open highway to India imme-
diately after their appearance.
The advices which we publish to-day 60 to
show that the veni vidi, vici idea is not Of easy
enjoyment, however, in this instance for we
find that about five thousand soldiers, British
and Hindoo, encountered by an immense
equipage and great number Of followers,
were scattered around the shore at Annesley
bay in such q manner that King Theodorus
could stampede the encsmpment at any mo-
ment if he at all understood the strategy Of our
American Indian warriors. The men were
prospecting for water in every direction, and
Its want was sorely felt Water had been
found to some extent. but 1t was Of such an
unwholesome nature that as many as eight
steam transports, hired at heavy cost, were
detained Off shore for the purpose Of purifying
it by condensation. These vessels were to
have been employed in towing sailing trans
ports filed with soldiers from Bombay, and
their diversion to this new employment limited
the English reinforcements and 80 delayed an
advance in force into the mountain region,
which tanks the desert country into which the
English army must penetrate before it reaches
the King and his captives.
In this situation our correspondent notices
the appearance, far in from the British camp,
of haf dozen Of French military men, who
appeared, as he intimates, to be engaged
in mission which looked as If its object
was more in the interests of the African
ruler than Of the British--aconjectu which
may turn out to be correct. as the French
have acquired considerable interest, reli-
gious andterritorial, in Abyssinia since the year
1859, when Captain de Russell negotiated with
Again Negusye, q rebel, against Theodorus, for
the cession Of the Bay of Adults, the "key Of
Abyssinia," with Valentia Island, situated at
the entrance Of the bay, to Franco piece of
diplomacy for which Napoleon afterwards
apologized in some shape to his royal African
brother.
Whatever can be accomplished by "pluck"
and endurance the English will do in Abyssi-
mia. 1t is prudent, however, not to underrate
the difficulties of tho expedition, bound round
as it is by home red-tapeism and known only,
as yet, to the British people by an addition to
the Income tax impost. England has con-
Quoted many great wars, but it may be said
with truth that she has never been fully pre-
pared for any Of them until after she had
gained victory or lost battle. Sir Arthur
Wellesley had to begin again on the PENN
sula after the retreat Of Sir John Moore, and
although the British conquered at Inkerman
they were not first in order for the Redan.
BY an Atlantic cable telegram received last
night we learn that Lieutenant General Sir
Robert Napier, a gallant and hard working
officer, has sailed from India to take the chief
command of the English army in Abyssinia.
The British war against Theodorus has COM
menced in reality.