The New York herald., 1868-03-26

that the second brigade marched on the 18th. The
peace was doubtful and implies that rupture would
be the consequence OF the reception given by Gen.
eral Merewether 10 Kassas envoy. There are one
grudge against General Merewether, and conse-
guenty statements To his dlscredit are suspicious.
lne mos, Trustworthy Information supplied 70 ane
OF Merewether's detractors or statement that
Rassai was inclined to be hostile. SIT
sounded the disposition OF the Tigrean Princes and
we may fairly infer, from the appointed inter-
view on the line OF march tnat tne relations between
Abyssnian leader II an enemy would not ride all the
way from Adowa to the eastern boundary OF Haramat
in order to meet the British general. We may AZ
sumo, therefore, that the enemies mentioned In one
despach were not Tgreans, but, as we have said,
r RoSsr as ne
view with Kassa, and that long ere this the second
brigade has entered, perhaps passed through, An
talo. OF course, II Kassai were inmical and active
part OF the troops would be required to hold him In
check and cover the line OF communication with
Senate. Were that the course of events, however,
we should by this time have heard that the re-
mainder OF the troops held In readiness at Bombay
had been directed TO- embark and proceed to
has not been transmitted from Bombay, and there is
no ground for supposing that Kassai or his people
resent presence In their land The fact that the
interview was fixed for some place two marches
south Of Ategerat indicates the route followed by the
second brigade. They have probably marched by the
valley OF the Soeh an aluent OF the TacaZze, upon
S0ssube Gabia; and the Interview between Sir Robert
Napier and Kassai took place somewhere north OF
that halting place. II the second brigade have fol-
lowed this pathway to Antalo they must have en-
countered the rugged defle OF DongolO, and after
surmounting the difficulties OF that ascent they would
reach Auza and thence proceed directly upon Cheli-
cot and AnalO There several reasons why the Sec
0nd brigade should march by route different from the
nished with water would be fresh and undrained
field, whence supplies could be drawn by the brigade.
Moreover, the selection OF that track win have
brought the British general several marches
nearer to the road which KaSsai must
have traversed from Adowa, and will have
the country people After issuing from Dengeliet the
troops would have the advantage Of two or more
paths leading through the fertile tabeland Of En-
dera to AnalO and the silver dollars they carried
with them would attract supplies from all sides.
Assuming that the second brigade was not delayed
that on the lst Of March Sir Robert Napier was in
When he arrived at that town the first brigade
its road by Ashangi and Lake Haik, towards the
eastern side Of Magdala. The telegram from
u tells us that the First brigade intended to to repose
but short time, and then to resume It's forward
march. The reporter does not even hint at an
intention to occupy SOkOta; and we are, therefore,
led to assume that Sir Robert did not consider
It neednl to move 30 far out Of the direct road,
the nearest practicabie track towards his goal
II that were SO the column would march straight
upon Lake Ashangi, and the obstacles in Its path
mountains OF Lasta. We are told that fifteen short
marches would bring 1t to Magdala; and, If this
somewhat sanguine estimate turned out to be cor
rect, our troops would be brought within hail Of the
prisoners In the first days Of March. But must OBJ
serve that the country which lay before the invading
force had to be expored and moreover 1t s most pro-
bable that the first brigade would be directed to halt at
some point short Of the prison fortress in order to
give the second time to effect junction. Perhaps
the halt might be made most proftabIy near Lake
Haik or in the province Of Yeju, beyond the Lasta
defles. But we are outrunning the facts, and enter
ing too far into the region OF speculation 1t s enough
to know that the foremost troops have passed Antalo,
and that the whole active force must by this time be
far on its way towards the stronghold OF Theodore.