The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-07

Moslem propaganda much more attractive to
the negro mind than the teachings of Chris
tianity, has penetrated deep into Africa, and has
been eminently successful. This being the case.
and the fact being remembered that his religion
has a stronger influence over Moslem than is
exerred by any other force-such, for instance,
as fidelity to leader or flag-Gordon's troops
may, when they found the English approaching,
have mutinied, and delivered him and the town
into the hands of the Mahdi's leutenants. An
intrigue of this sort would be entirely in ac
cordance with the genius of the East while to
carry it out there exists the omnpresent and we'll
nigh omniscent Sidi Genouss Society, with its
large wealth and its hordes of faithful ennis
saries.2
"Why, if that is the case, do you suppose that
this mutiny has been so long delayedi"
Movements of that sort take time, and the
distances IN the Souda1 are great. Besides,
there may have been policy in it, Only think
what a magnificent haul of stores and muni-
tions the Mahdi's people might make If Woseley
should be compelled to a forced retreat on
Assouan and lower Egypt. The deeper he
was involved in the country. the heavier would
be the blow of finding the objective point of his
campaign already in possession of the enemy"
~ ou suggested another hypothesisP
Yes; and it will strike you rather alb
surd. but | found it more intimate ac-
quaintance with the extraordinary personal
idiosyncracy of Chinese Carbon than is pos
sessed by most men. served with Gordon
for a long time as second ia command, and
maze MIN close study. (TOf0on is the mOSC &C.
centric product of this end of our century. His
two models would seem to be Acibiades and
Thomas Carlyle, with strong leaning toward
Thomas attempts Like Alcibiades, he delights
in being talked about, and to attract public at
tention is capable of cutting off the tails of any
| num6er of dogs. Like CARLYLE, he condemns and
despises the whole human race, especially such
of its units are professionally and socially
his equals Like Thomas attempts, he has
IN his nature strong strain OF emo
tlonal pity. combined with the most lavish
charity and personal unsefshness possible In
addition to all the peculiarties, Gordon has q
power OF making up his mind in direction
opposite, with rapidity entirely bcwildering to
his subordinates.
Nov. the bearing of this brief analysis of an
extraordinary is simply this: Gordon has
been markedly jealous of the efforts being made
to relieve him. He does not intend to play
second fiddle to Lord Woseley or any one else,
if he can avoid it, and he was sent to the Soudan
with full power to arrange for it's
abandonment on the lines laid down by Lord
Dutferns report which involved the
recognition of the Mahdi. Such being the sit
uation, and Wolseley's troops approaching Cor
don may have concluded to make peace, and
place the Mahd at the head Of the affairs in the
Soudan. And there may be good reasons for
this course Stewart has evidently suffered
heavily. and Woiseleys command strung out
along the Nile in very weak attitude. A con-
vention, by which it and the Egyptian garrisons
could be got out of the country safely may have
been the best possible way out of dilemma
Turn out as the affair may, when Chinese Cor
don is In command surprises are in order"