The National tribune., 1882-08-12

number OF held guns served by sailors, at
tackled the advanced guard of Arab Pacha
near Ramleh, between the Mahmoudieh Canal
and the Cairo Railway, firing upon the enemy's
position from three sides. The engagement,
which is of a serious nature, still continues
Arab Pacha sent fourteen men with white
flag to the British camp this morning. Inc
party was received by Major Pringle, but the
interview was without result Major-General
Graham will take command of the British
brigade at Ramleh.
I1:3O p. m.-The object of the operations TO-
day was a reconnaissance in force. Comnenc-
ing at D. M, a steady advance was made, the
marines on the railway line, the Rifles on the
west bank of the Mahmoudieh Canal and the
South Stafordshire regiment and mounted In
fantry on the east bank. The enemy were
driven in from all their advance posts, and
were compelled to bring into action all of their
troops available in front of their principal line
of intrenchments at fr-el-Dwar-namely,
about four battalions of infantry, a force of
cavalry, and several guns. The latter were
completely silenced by the accurate firing OF
our forty-pounder. The Egyptian infantry
held their ground with considerable steadiness.
The marines on the railway, who were under
the immediate command of Gen. Alison, pushed
the enemy back upon their second line of in
trenchments toward Kafr-el-Dwar. The ma
rines were supported by the South Staffordshire
regiment and Rifles. They suffered somewhat,
but behaved with the greatest GOODNESS and
steadiness under the heavy fire. The object of
the British operations, which was to compel
the enemy to display what force and what guns
they had in front of the main position, was
completely attained. This was ascertained by
nightfall, when the British were slowly and
steadily withdrawn. No accurate return OF
the killed and wounded is yet obtainable. The
enemy's loss is unknown. A large number of
wounded fell into the hands of the British.
Many dead were seen. A considerable number
of the enemy were made prisoners. The Brit
ish lately made successful experiments with
the forty-pounder mentioned while mounted
on the irOnclad railway truck.
GENERAL ALIsoN's REPORT.
The following is General Alisons report:
Persistent native reports existing during the
past few days that Arab Pacha was retiring
from Kafr-el-Dwar upon Damanhour, deter
mined upon a reconnaissance to ascertain
clearly whether Arab still held his original
position strongly. The left column commenced
to advance at quarter to five p. m. from the
advance pickets of the Ramleh lines, moving
by both banks of the Mahmoudieh Canal, and
soon came into action with the enemy, who
was strongly posted in a group of palm trees
on the eastern side, and in strong, defensible
houses and gardens on the other side. These
positions were carried. AT this time Lieuten-
ant Vyse, of the Sixtieth, and one soldier were
killed. The enemy then took a second posi-
ton, half mile in the rear upon the east bank
of the canal, among high crops and houses and
behind the irregular banks of the canal. From
this position also the enemy were driven with
great loss. I accompanied the right column
myself. As soon as the enemy observed US they
opened fire with artillery. pushed on as rap
idly as possible till 1 reached point where
the railway approached nearest to the NAH
moudieh Canal, and then opened musketry fire
upon the enemy lining the banks of the canal
Two nine-pOunders were dragged on to the
embankment and came into action against the
enemy's guns, the forty FOUNDER firing over our
heads against point where the enemy's forces
were beginning to appear. 1 now threw for
ward two companies to carry house near the
canal, and followed up by throwing four COM
panies still more to my left upon the banks of
and across the canal, thus attaining the posi-
ton I wished and forming a diagonal line
across both the canal and the railway. The
enemy retired slowly before US. The fire of
their seven-pounders and nine centimeter guns
was speedily got under by our artillery. The
object of my reconnaissance was attained, and
] determined to withdraw. This movement
was carried out with the most perfect regu-
larity and precision. The troops fell back by
alternate companies with the regularity of
field day. Every attempt by the enemy to ad-
vance was crushed by the beautiful precision
of the forty-pounder and the steady firing of
the nine-pounders. The losses of the enemy
appear to have been very great. They were
so dispirited that, contrary to the usual prac-
tice of Asiatics, they made no attempt to follow
up our withdrawal. As reconnaissance, the
success Of our move was all could wish. /
regret to state that our loss was somewhat
heavy. Lieutenant Vyse was one of the most
promising officers l ever met. Our total loss
was four killed and twenty wounded.
IRISH NJ. P's ON THE OUTLOOK.
A cable dispatch from London says: The
united opinion of the Irish members of Par
lament IS LnaU Lne proceedings VI Lne LuSilSH
government in Egypt are most unwarranted and
brutal. Mr.. Parnell, who has not taken his
place in the House since the death Of his sister,
says the present operations in Alexandria are
apparently the Outgrowth of long series of
plans of government agents in the East The
trouble is largely due to the overbearing inso-
lence OF Europeans for a number of years, and
the nnal determination of the Egyptians no
longer to submit to long life of virtual rob-
berries OF the Egyptian treasury by European
officials, who are unnecessary to the govern
ment, but employed through fear. The Sultan
was capable OF peaceful solution of the diff
Guilty. The principal object now seems 70 be
to prevent him, by surrounding him with con-
ditiOns impossible of fulfillment The General
attitude of Europe is against England wbo
will probably get nothing out of the strro,lo
more than she had before. It's dificplt r. +9II
where or when the trouble will end. r..
is likely to produce complications ipvoly;no,
half of Europe. He thinks the whole poIic1
is mistaken one and against the best Interests
of the country.
Mr.. Healy says that the operations of the
government in this affair will not bear the
slightest investigation. The war was pre-
meditated attack on a weak foe, and grew out
nf 9la hullt Of