Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-07
THE WAR IN THE sOUDAN,
some Geographical Information OF
Current Interest.

Just at this time when the eyes OF the
whole civilized world are turned upon that
little spot Ia Eastern Africa over which the
false prophet is making his triumphal march,
anything which can shed light upon the
physical formation of that country or give
any clear Idea of its geographical character.
lstics and peculiarities will be eagerly wei
coined. Such Information will enable the
reader to account for many puzzling features
OF the campaign rs seen from distance, and
VIII afford opportunity for more clearly cstl-
mating the difficulties which stand in the
way OF OF speedy solution Of the Egyptian
question.
The term Soudan-which literally means
''lhc country of the backs'-is used by the
native Arabs to designate the whole interior
of Africa the Egyptians. on the contrary,
apply 1t only to that portion Of the country
which lies on both sides the Nile south of the
second cataract, comprising the greater part
OF Nubla, all of SEMINAR, Kordofan aud Oar
FUR. This region, which is wholly distinct
from Egypt, has been formed within the last
htty years into province of that country, it's
capital being Khartoum, at the junction of the
| White and Blue Nile, about 1900 miles from
Cairo. The inhabitants OF the Souian con-
sst OF two distinct races, the Arabs and me-
groes, the former occupying the northern
portion OF the vast area, aud negroes the
lower or southern portion. The Arabs are
nerce, restless and aggressive, and in natura
intellectual capacity are equal to any Euro.
pean race. The pure negroes, on the con
trary, are peaceable, indolent population
and almost useless as soldiers, even wher
well led. The force, of Ell Mahdi are almos
wholly composed Of the former element
Suakim lies on the western shore of til,
Red Sea, about halfway between the Gul
OF SueL and the Straits Of Bah el-Mandeb
Forty.fve miles south OF it, and nine mile
inland lies the fortified town of Tokar
The entrance to the harbor Of Sua
kim is narrow and long, and steamer
can enter it only by daylight
The town itself is built on an island, unite
to the main land by causrway made by
General Gordon when he was governor gen
cral OF the Soudan. Its population is a6ou
, eight thousand. From Suakim the grea
l caravan route crosses the desert 10 the west
striking he Nile at Bcrber, two hundred AM
forty miles away. Over ,his route used Il
cone the great relays Of slaves which wer
/ gathered in Central Africa aud driven t.
1 Suakim Tor transportation. Brrber is til
t capital of the district Of the same name, an
r has population of about eight thousand
( he locality is subject 10 frequent and furiou
whlrlwnds, SO that no attcmp is made t
! erect permanent buildings. 1t is ore Of tn
c distributing points for Egyptian trade. Wci
aud south OF Berb+r, one hundred and Dinet
miles up the White Nile aud at the 1unctio
of the Blue Nile, lies Kh4rtoum, the capits
= OF the Egyptian Soudan, and the most i'll
portant town Of Central Africa. The di
. triCts Of Seminar and KOrdoian, where I'll
r present disturbances began, and where I'll
+ false prophet achieved his first victories, Ii
o the south OF khartoum, between DIrfu
n and Abyssnia. Exactly east of khartoun
: on the shore of the Red Sea lies Massowal
: and halfway between the two, Kassala,
point OF strategic imp )rtance.
d Berber and Sinkat, it will be remembered
IA are already occupied by the rebels Kassa
z is besieged, with strong probabilities OF i
IS early surrender; revolt has broken out
@ Massowah and is spreading, Tokar has fallei
e and. the victorious forces are about to marc
}. upon Trinkitat, where the British are 10 IT.
. rapidly landing and organizing troops f'
n defence.
Owing to the roughncss Of the country b
b tweel Tokar and Trink!tat the rebels ca
!. make but slow progress, and 1t is probab
f that they will await an attack from Il
!. Egyptians, as they did at the time of the d
n feat of Baker Pasha. There is only cam
: road between the two places, and the ruu
e leads through rocky dehes and mario
is places where the Arabs could safely de
>, double the number Of their own forces. III
il county IN this section is by no means
n desert, but is billy and broken, with occa
onal patches Of level ground thickly ov,
,r grown with mimosa bushes, which aifO
sh, tier and CONGO Ilmcnt.
General Graham's victory at Tcb.
General Graham, commander Of the En-
al li,h forces, hes won Il most important yicto
}" at Tcb, near Trikitat over the rebels und
y Osmen Digma. The battle was fought
IL Friday and ragged fercely all day. T
T. rebels had force OF about 10, 600 and foug
re with desperate bravery, the loss of life
g their side being estimated at fully 1000 T.
a English army numbered about 1000 and Il
t. "a killed and 147 wounded. They captur
e. four Krupp guns two howitzers anu o
ID machine guu, and in fact nearly all I
a munitions lost by Baker Pasha. Not INC
ID than one-ffth of Osmaus forces were arm
" with Remington rifles, and most Of I
D. casualties in the British army were caus
D. by the spears and scimiters at close qua