The New York herald., 1879-09-20
p GYP t..
Interesting Interview With
Gordon Pacha. ..
RETIRING FROM EGYPTIAN SERVICE.
Great Work Accomplished by
Him for the khedive.
DEVELOPING CENTRAL AFRICA

DEVELOPING CENTRAL AFRICA
CAIRo August 81. 1879.
Gordon Pacha. after weeks rest in Cairo. left
yesterday morning. via Suez and the Red Sea- for
Massowa to conclude the final treaty of pescs with
Abyssinia. He carries with him documents from
the English and French governments forbidding the
King OF Abyssinia from interfering any way with
Egypt and recommending that the signing OF the
nnal treaty of peace be longer delayed. As soon
as Gordon Pacha has accomplished this object he
will return to Cairo. and. to the regret Of almost
every one will leave the Egyptian service. This de.
cision OF Gordon Pacha is most unfortunate for
Egypt During the last dve years ho has devoted
himself. with scarcely moments respite and with
but little European aid TO opening up tho vast
mines OF wealth which he declares lie hidden in
those little known provinces. few instances will
sufice to show what gigantic and apparently end
less task this is.
GORDON PAoHA's WORK.
Since 1874 tract OF country larger than the South
ern States OF America has boon mapped with toler.
able accuracy. Over 5000 miles of telegraph lines
have been constructed and are now working efh-
cientiy The slave trade has been suppressed which
alone has involved campaigns Of months duration
and revolts of entire provinces. The postal service
has been introduced and letter put in the New
York Post Once with fve-cent stamp and addressed
to the remotest station ON the Bahr- el-Gazal or
Darfour will reach its destination ss surely as II
addressed to Washington. Tho navigable rivers
havc been kept free from the ''sud" or
masses of vegetable matter which clog up
all free passage and which formerly stopped
up the Nile nearly as far north Berber. Tho
natives have been taught the use of money. that
provisions and goods can be purchased where but
ahorft tiyoa IhaF0 had to bo
food. A system of military stations has been
established and by tho ad Of imported Indian ele-
plants the native African elephants have in several
instances been trained to beasts of burden,
thus greatly diminishing the cost of transportation.
Telephones have also been introduced at oil avail
able points in the Soudan and OF the most incon-
ceivabe service in quickly despatching business.
Plans for station and lighthouse on Cape Gardafui.
whore SO many steamers entering the Red Sea from
India have lately been wrecked, been carefully
prepared. There is not enough space here to
count all that has been done for the Soudan under
Gordon Pachss rule. The above instances will in-
dicate that much has been done, yet unless Gordons
successor be o remarkable man. man who unites .
high technical education with power Of absolute
control over his fellow men and vast experience In
Central Africa, he will fall and failure means the
downfall the entire skeleton of civilization which
Gordon's I'VE years toll has established.
INTERVIEW WITH THE PAcHA.
called upon Gordon Pachs to ascertain the truth
Of tho report that he had resigned the Governor GEN
eralship of the Soudan and also to II there waa
any further news from Gessi. whose victories
the traders the subject of previous letter.
He was living at o small palace In the environs Of
Cairo, which the Khedive had placed at his disposal
it being the same palace which General Grant
occupied during his visit here. The Pacha was alb.
sent with the Khedive and after waiting an hour or
two he returned. when was at once received. Cor.
don Pachs IL . tall but not military looking man.
with light hair and very quick, intelligent express
sion. On expressing my regret to hear that he was
soon to quit Egypt no replied:-- shall go.
Nothing retain me here now. To open up
new countries money is necessary. With
you in America and with US in Eng
land it is done by private capital and
enterprise; but here unfortunately there Is such
thing. The Soudan is in debt for about f300. .000
and this year there will be deficit of S170OO0. whers
is the money to como fromf Egypt has none. and
now they have persuaded the Khedivo to abandon
the entire provinces OF the Bahr-el-Gaza and Dar-
four. Egypt is not in q position now to maintain
those countries. and all her ambition and splendid
projects in Central Africa are to be abandoned"
THE OPENING OF AFRICA.
asked II It would not be practicable for joint
stock companies formed in England and America ia
obtain concessions and work tho countries with
profit after year or SO OF outlay and labor. The
reply was:-
Exactly. now believe that Central Africa will
never be opened any other way than by private
terprise. Many people think enthusiast
on the subject. but I would willingly dc
vote myself to the carrying out of any such en-
terprise An English company should establish
their trading posts from Zanzibar; and IN American
company should do the same. proceeding up the
Tn fba aofxh xhorou lv ario hand
outlay of $4,000 would lead to the most surpris
ing results, and could be most sdvantaQeously
placed afterwsrd."
..Is it true that such company il being formed
in Enslandr'
Eyes. Thoy have already begun this work the
Zanzibar coast. and have taken OF their
shares. The Congo route. though should think
would lead to greater results. 1t is most unfortu
nate for Egypt that she has capital to spend in
Central Africa. of that the policy with
regard to those countries has been changed. there
is nothing for to do but quit the whole business
for am committed to a different course and natu-
rally regret to much labor expended In van.'
AFRICA INpIAf
"But. in q few years." urged. "there will be
moro money here. Perhaps Your Excellency might
be persuaded take hold Of the helm In tho Soudan
againY'
mo. Before many years have passed somebody
other will have pretty firm hold OF those coun-
tries. India seems to be becoming exhausted. and
will, perhaps. bo replaced by Central Africa. There
are strong Inducements for England to work an
opening into the continent and other countries will
not DO tar behind. 1 am only surprised that some
company organized like the old Hudson Bay Com
pany, with such men Henry NJ. Stanley to assist
them havo not already set to work the Congo.
which. in my opinion. will be the natural channel
of communication with all tho wealth of Central
Africa"
aordon Pacha then alluded to Gessi and his late
victories and hardships on the Bahr-el-Ciazal. He
said that Gessi Of the most utterly fearless
mon he had ever mot and complimcnted him
warmly on his successful campaign. Ihave nothing
to add to my former account OF the campaign except