New-York tribune., 1876-09-07
THE NEW NJLE.


Col. Gordon has again been heard from, and
his communication is of unusua! importance.
The last letter previously received from him
was written on the 30th of April, from Kenl,
a station near the northern end of the Albert
Nyanza, announcing that NJ. Gessi had COM
pleted the circumnavigatiOn OF the lake, and
also that tgo northern outlets had been discov-
cred, one of them the White Nile, while the
other flowed away in north western direc-
ton. At that time, Col. Gordon was only wait
ing for the completion of his little steamer in
order to undertake further explorations. lie
now writes from Lardo, on the White Nile, Oh
the oath of June, confirming his former state
ment, and adding new particulars. lie
says that the White Nile splits into two
branches Immediately after issuing from the
Albert Nyanza, the eastern one being the
river already known. The other, after flowing
some distance TO the northwest, unites itself
for time with one of the five southern tnbu-
taries of the Gazelle Lake Tin lat % north)
and thus rejoins the White Nile. The naviga-
ton of the latter river is interrupted by the
Fola rapids, which prevent any steamer from
passing from Khartoum to the Albert Nyanza; |;
but the new Nile-arm is said to be entirely
free from rapids.
This discovery, if verified in all respects, is
of immense Importance. 1t will extend the
arm of Egyptian power to the great equatorial
lakes, and build up, in few years more,
new center of authority as far beyond khar-
toum as the latter city is from Cairo. Tho
fertile and comparatively healthy table-lands
of Unyoro and Uganda will thus become the
seat of such civilization rs Egyptian conquest
carries with II, and future explorers will find
there their starting point instead of their aim
The country of Monbutto, reached by Schwein-
furth, the pigmy-land of Aka. and the un-
known region lying between the latter and
Livingstone's Manyuema on the south. will all
be made easily accessible. The trading posts
and military stations already established along
the White Nile must all be transferred to the
banks of the new river; but when that is
done, and a steamer may pass without inter
ruption from KhartOum to the southern ex-
tremity of the Albert Lake, Central Africa
will be practically conquered. Tho subjuga-
tion of Dar-Fur by Egypt secures the in
timidation, at least, Of the savage state OF
Waday,. and brings the Egyptian officials
within hailing distance of the half-humane
and quarter-ciyilized Kingdom of Bornou.
If the Khedive of Egypt be as wise rs he is
intelligent, he will not repeat the mistake of
a war with Abyssinia, but coniine lmbinon
so far as Africa is concerned-to that vast
central realm where the barbarity of the tribes
gives him the right of conquest. The greater
part of the region will not Immediately en-
rich his treasury, nor can its resources be
properly developed until a shorter line of COM
muncation with the sea is acquired; but the
investment is comparatively cheap, and the
final returns tOlerably surc. Other nations
will not object to, as they cannot interfere
with, Egypt's advance in this direction. The
more she gives it character Of order and
justice, by seeking the assistance OF compe-
tent foreigners, the better she will subserve
her own interests, and satisfy the world.