The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-26
STONE PASHA.


Discipline OVerpowerad by Fierce Fanati-
cism and Numerical Superiority,
New York Special.
Stone Pasha, or General Stone, who was
formerly an officer in the Khedive's army,
and who is now living in this city, was con-
versed with to-day upon the subject of the
reported great battle in the Soudan. General
Stone said: "When first read the accounts
last night did not believe them, for 1 have
too often heard similar accounts when the
only ground therefor was the fear of the mar
rator. Soldiers as well as civilians, become
demoralized sometimes, and deal as extern
sively in exaggerated stories. There is no
doubt, however that Hicks Pasha has been
badly defeated"
''Do you think El Mohdi had force OF
100000 men, as reported?'
"Yes. El Mahdi has been advancing stead
lily towards Cairo, and has gained many sue
cessive victories, at each of which he has
gained reinforcements as regards numbers,
reputation and arms. I do not doubt that
he had under his command at the time of
the defeat OF Hicks Pasha the number he is
credited with"
"How do you account for so complete a
cutting up of Hicks Pasha's forces?
Simply that he was outnumbered. I was
offered the same command when in the sery-
ice OF the Egyptian government. 1t was in
tended to send out an army which should
wipe out Ell Mahdi completely. I accepted
the commission very gladly and very will
lngly but when | found out the number
of men they were willing to give me
was SO small, | refused the command
and said; i must have $1,000 men,
was ready and anxious to go forward with
this number but not without. The govern
ment would not listen to my entreaties for a
greater force, so / SAID, Get some other man
who can do the work with a less number
and the services of Hicks Pasha were secured.
Ten thousand men against Ell Mahdis forces
were insufficient and do not see how Col.
Hicks could have expected anything else
than disastrous defeat"
"Was his army not well-disciplined oneY'
Without doubt; but the followers of Ell
Mahdi are set of fanatics; they are fighting
for what they consider righteous cause, and
believe if they are killed in battle they will
go at once to heaven. So you see Ell Mahdi
can demand the sacrifice OF their lives with
impuniiy. Made up as his army is of
negroes rabs, and other of the wild tribes of
this saw 90 country, they are pre-eminently
fighters, and they do fight to the death.
Thus fanaticism upsets the discipline of the
Egyptian army If Ell Mahdi succeeds in
mastering Khartoum, there is but little
doubt in my mind that he will push on to-
ward, Cairo, between which city and Khar-
toum there is no good defensive point. l do
not believe E Mahdi will rest content with
the conquest of Soudan any more than he
did with former victories. The defeat at
Soudan was due to a weak government at
Cairo, an insuficiency of force under Hicks
Pasha, and the fanaticism of the rebels.
Either positive measures for the suppression
of the rebellion must be taken at once or
which he is fighting In spite of all, how
ever, do not believe that but one man lives
to tell the tale. l think it will be found
that many still live not only to tell of Hicks
Pasha's defeat, but to again take up arms
against Ell Mahdl."