The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-11-28
THE ARAB REVOLT.

How the False Prophet Began His War
the Egyptian Government.
The first active rebellion broke ont on the 18th
of August, 1881, al the Island of Abba. On this
OCCASION thanks to the incredible stupidity OF the
officer in command, the Egyptian troops who
were sent to arrest the Medhi not only failed in
their object. but lost 10 men. After this the Med
hi left his home the Island OF Abba and crossed
the White Nile into Korlofan. During the next
ten months repeated attempts were made to arrest
the False Prophet, but owing 10 bad management
and the employment of insufficient forces always
with the same result-complete failure. During
this time the Egyptians have lost at one place
or another 200 men and an equal number of
rifles. Finding that the instruction was spread
ing RAPIDLY i. was at length judged necessary TO
make serious effort. Accordingly, in the begin
ming OF June 1882. lusef Pacha left Fashoda at
the head of 400 men. with four mountain guns
ana a rOcket. for Ghebei Gadir, where Mohammed
Achmet was then residing. On the way he met the
rebels and; thanks to his neglect OF the most ele
mentary rules of warfare. he was completely de
ieated with the loss of 3,60o men all his guns.
OF the $40 men who escaped a! the time the great
est part were subsequently, captured and sold int
slavery. City after city capitulared to the False
Prophet, the greatest OF his successes being the
clpluTe OF II 0beid, as reviewed in yesterdays
When FL Mcdhi. the False Prophet. appeared in
the Soudan, announcing his divine mission after
lha ssshion Of M9hammed. travellers in that coun-
try were unit ia expressing the belief that the
be cSiid's play Compared with the religious M.
rising in the Valley of the White Nile. The rea-
sons for this belief were very sim pie aud they
OF Hicks Pasha The disa6ection and restlessness
among the Arab tribes date back many years, and
may be said To- have begun when Khartoum was
and being OF the confluence OF the Blue and White
Niles, was q strategic point commanding the water
Northern Central Africa. contains a mixed popus-
ton of 400 90. embracing goddess set OF ruians
OF all shades OF color, moral and physical, as were
ever brought together.
Khartoum became not only the capital OF the
slave tsde with all OF its numberless horrors but
was also the penal colony where muIderers, high.
wsymen and every species OF scoun drel-Turkish,
Frank, Egyptian, Arab and native-were permitted
W Loa a. wiz, au oi' on.n nlsn Pssc e. IN Tue
of central authority of all that rezion between
Berber and the Equatorial lakes with indefinite
boundaries on the West and South. This whole
tract was divided into nine provinces, with sep
arate Governor for each province. these various
the Governor General al KbartoIIn, q post second
only In authority and emoluments To that of the
Khediye himself 1t is this official, represented in
the various persons holding the place who is more
10 blame for the present state of affairs in the
Soudan than can be assigned 10 any other source.
The region now i'll successful rebellion extends
from the first cataract of the Nile in latitude 81 de-
grees TO the Equator. This whole region of North
ern and Eastern Africa, with the exception OF
Abyssinia, is nothing but desert, unbroken by
mountain ranges although there are lofty hills on
the camel route from Be-ber To Suakin. The only
cultivation fOunQ on the Oank oil the Main Nile
the Blue and White Niles and the Atbota, all max
ing up the grand Nile system. The general eleva-
ton OF this region along the valley OF the White
Egypt. cultivation is controlled during gOu the
dry season by 'shadofs" and ''sikeahs"
which are contrivances operated by man
Tie river and spreading il over the seeded surface
This celebrated area never extends more than
mile from the river bank on either side, and often
not that distance. Beyond in each direction all is
desolation Thus the actual supplies grow in this
part OF the Soudan barely suffice to nourish the
population, and when force like that OF Hicks
lasha gets away from q city like Khart0um il Is no
wonder that there are famine, thirst and death.
people 10 live and thrive Or uext 10 nothing Their
food is dates and their drink eamel's milk, and &C.
Egyptians could never i've Week on such d i tee
Tie deserts afford some game but not OF a very
ssyory quality. Gszelles, wild asses, grouse aud
snipe are occasionally shot, but even these do not
wander far from the warehouses;.
One line OF travel from the Soudan to Lower
Egypt is by disembarking at suakin, on the Red
SEA, and making a camel journey of twenfy-da
to Berber, when the journey to Khartoum is made
by river in small steamers put aioat by the Egvp
tian Government The most recent accounts con
cur in saying. however, that the Rebel tribes are
lowering about Suakiu, il they have not actually
occupied the city. This seaport is the only i'm
pori ant Egyptian harbor the Red Sea, and It is
quite hourishing town. the largest steamers
being able 10 anchor in its waters
speaking with thorough knowledge OF this
country. it may be said auth0rtatlyely that but
one course remains open to the Egyptian troops or
SuCh OF tDem as survive ana that Is pfecipltate
light and an effort to escape into Aoyssna. I'm
less a sufficient fighting force remains 10 beat an
orderly retreat to khartoum and try To escape by
way OF Suakln. tue command of Hicks Pasha j. in
d terrible plight. They are literally surrounded
by an exutant enemy on all sides. He mistakes
win not make deep and lasting impressionCone
calculated TO fire his war spirit aud make him take
up the cry. "0n TO Cairo" Among nearly all OF
the tribes OF the Egyptian Soudsn the law OF blood
-TeVenge-is acknowledged, and il never dies aud
never waverS from generation 10 generation. Anu
il j. probable. 100. as IL has happened before, that
tine resident Egyptians and Turks will Join III
the hurTah TO save their own lives aud properly.