New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-11
an EXPEDITION UP TIE NILE.

a
The proposed vote of censure has had slim
ulatng effect upon the Gladstone Government
1t il now evident that the Premier, after ViRor-
ousy repelling the assaults upon his ooudan
policy and justifying the action and inaction OF
the Ministry with his wonted adroitness' Will
calmly announce that active preparations are
making for relief expedition to khartoum.
To-day's dispatches indicate that force OF
eight thousand men will be ready to stnrt IN
July, and that it will include an Indian con-
tingent. Lord Granvilles prejudices against
employing SepOys in country in when lnuia
can have no possible interest have apparently
been overcome. II column of two thousand
Indian troops with FIVE hundred picked soldiers
of the British army at their head had been sent
from Suakim across country to the Nile during
the fortnight following General Graham's vic
tories, Berber would now be strongly gar
rsoned, Khartoum would be safe, and Dongoia
would not be surrounded with rebels. Inc
interval wasted in quibbling and procrastlna-
ton has only rendered the campaign more
arduous and sanguinary. A force OF eight
thousand must now be employed where a llRht
column of twenty five hundred men would then
have suiiced, and before the operations are
concluded thousands of brave Arabs will prob
ably be added to the thousands already
slaughtered on the seabOard. 1hs res0iute
action, tardy as it u.s. will probably satisfy the
Governments supporters that General Gordon
is not to be left to his fate in defiance OF public
sentiment, and will justify them in voting
against the resolution of censure.
The military expedition is to follow the Nile
Valley to Wady Halfa, and thence to strike
across the KOrosco desert to Abu Hammed,
avoiding the long Dongola bend of the river.
This is the route which General Gordon ana
Colonel Stewart took in February A camel
depot has already been established at Assouan'
and preparations are making to lay narrow
guage railway across the KOrosco desert as the
troops advance. The rising of the Nile in July
will enable the authorities to send the expe-
dition by water to Wady llalfa and will expe-
ditto operations between Abu damned ana
Bcrber. This will be the route, unless political
exigencies in England shall require more urgent
action. Ii General GOrdon's plight becomes
more desperate and pitiabe, and another vote
of censuro is proposed, there may be another
change of military plans. Indeed, the Ministry
have already taken the precantion to order a
il not impossible that this line of advance may
be selected in preference to the other he
temper of the English people is rising now the
waters of the Nile will not be at the flood Tor
two months or longer; and the Ministry may
find it necessary to anticipate the periodical
movement or the river. An advance from the
seaboard will include the construction OF a
military railway two hundred and fifty miles
in length as advocated by General Melgs In the
columns of The TRIBUNE two months ago.
The necessity of such a road is now admitted
by all military critics in England, although the
period required for It's construction Is generally
estimated at six months AS the engineering
difficulties are not serious, it is possible that the
railway could be finished in less time; and GER
tainly the military column would not be forced
TO halt for the engineers at every stage OF the
march.
The publication of every new budget OF
Eryptian correspondence only serves to weaken
the position of the Government Mt Glad-
stones statements in regard to the European
Conference are also exciting apprehension, as
will be seen by our special cable dispatches.
What the English people require at the present
time is Forigen Secretary of decision OF char
acter rather than tact and fexbility. Lord
Granville is veteran diplOmatist and rs the
result of his training is cautious and concilla-
tory. He cannot speak with authority and
emphasis, and the diplomatic refinements OF
manner and punctilio only serve to irritate the
English people. They do not want roundabout
nhrases and arguments, but plain speaking and
resolute action.
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