The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1885-02-06
MINISTER VESTS OPINION.
He Says That the British Will Ac-
complieh What They Have
Undertaken, and Will
Beat the Rebels.
THE S0UDAN AND ENGLAND.
Major Dye Says That the Cause
OF the Present Trouble is to
Be ound In the Suez
Canal Scheme.


topic Of conversation in this city as It prob.
ably is throughout the world. There are
several persons in Washington competent
to discuss the situation intolligently. Rop-
resentative Einerty is n profound student
| of the situation and expresses his views in
forcible manner. Mr.. Finerty regards
the overthrow Of the British forces by the
Arabs as victory by an oppressed people
over the invaders of their country. He
| believes the fall of khartoum to DO n bless
ing to humanity and the triumph Of the
weak and savage over powerful and OPP
| presEive foe
"The disastrous result of the invasion Of
the Soudan," Mr.. Finerty said, may teach
England that her greed of conquest may
tempt Providence too far. This check
Great Britain might recognize as the be-
| ginning of the end of her military power,
which, since the battle of Waterloo, has d.
rected its efforts and energies almost ex-
clusively to bullying and subjugating weak
or barbaric nations. This contamination"
be said, "is devoutly to be wished. From
the tone of the press of this country, aud
specially New York, one might imagine
that it was an American army in the Sou
dan, SO great was the solicitation and so
earnest the interest expressed. The False
Prophet may DO thanked, however, for
| having shown the English army aud its
Anglo-American admirers that God is some
times on the side of freedom"
| He wondered that America should sympa-
thize with England in an invasion of the
Soudan, which is oppressive and unjustiG-
able by the laws of God or man.
| There is no doubt" he said, "of the justice
Of the cause Of the Arabs, aud all true
| friends of liberty and justice should sympa-
| thize with them. The invasion of the
| Soudan he regarded as unjustifiable from
| tho outset Its insincerity was shown, and
| whatever trace of moral force it had was
| destroyed by the assurance that the slave
trade should not be interfered with.
1.-THE False Prophet is the idol of the Arab
population, and in addition to his religious
fanatical motives is fighting for the liberia
tion of the Arabs from both the Egyptians
and the English. The oppression of each
is equally upjustifable. Up to the time of
Stewards alleged victory all the fighting
was with the Prophets weaker lieutenants
and not with the more formidable forces
under his direct command. The False
Prophets campaign has doubtless been one
of skill, artfulness and daring. He doubt
less captured some of Gordon's steamers
to cross the river, and probably overcame
the garrison at Khartoum by sudden sur
prise or artful trick. If there was any
severe fighting, as would seem most prob
able, Gordon and his army were massa.
cred. If there was an unresisting sur
render, which is very improbable, Gordon
is held for ransom.
According to all obtaiuable information,
the attachments of the relief expedition
under General Stewart and General Earl
are more than n weeks march ia advance
Of General Wolseley's forces, and hope
lessly cut off from assistance. They will
undoubtedly be massacred or captured If
the False Prophet leads out his forces
against them. If his forces are sufficiently
strong, detachment can be thrown be-
tween Wolseley's army and tho advance
guards under Stewart and Earl, so as to cut
of re-enforcements to the latter and secure
their capture or destruction while worry
ing the former in his march through the
desert. Good fighting by the English
forces, under these circumstances, can only
proloDg their agony.
"Whatever the result" Mr.. Finerty says,
General Wolseley's military reputation has
been hopelessly wrecked.
General Wolseley can now only hope to
save himself. He is powerless to rescue the
brave men under Stewart and Earl, whom
he has sent on desperate missions into the
desert. The English Government will, no
doubt, be urged to avenge this defeat, and
may send large forces from the East In-
dian army. Such action would occasion
warfare with the tribes of this portion OF
Africa that may be prolonged for years
terminate the Gladstone regime in Eng
land. With the ascendancy of the Tories
will come q moro energetic and intelli.
gent policy, and General Wolseley will be
succeeded by a more competent and pru-
. dent commander.
: THE tragic and disastrous fate of Cor
. dons army" he concluded, teaches great
. lesson and cannot BIO regretted"
, The British Minister'S Views.
~.
!. the British Minister'S residence this morn.
ing 10 ascertain that gentleman's views
concerning the fall Of Khartoum. The re-
porter was received politely by Hei
. Mejesty's representative, who did not. look
like man who entertained any idea thai
his great country was in any danger fron
= the False Prophet, O'Donovan Rossa Of
t from any other quarter. In fact, Mr.. Yves
appeared like man who was at peace
, with the world aud the rest Of mankind
He was dressed in handsomely fitting
lead-colored suit box coat, and wore red
tie some ten inches long.
what effect" asked the reporter, will
the fall of KhartOnm have upon England?'
, II can only look upon General Gordon'f
misfortune as temporary check TO the ex-
- petition into the Soudan. The fall OF
/, KbaTtoum has, Of course, demonstrated the
fact that our forces were too small, aud
a that General Wolseley made mistake in
|, surprising that he could do the work fol
a which he embarked with the troops at hi
command. 1t is unfortunate, too, that ht
d underestimated the strength Of the enemy
Q what will England now do ?"
u "Do just what she set out to do-conque
tho rebels in the soudan"
II That will be done by achievements
J. will it not 2"
Q "Oh, yes. General Wolseley will DO re
!. enforced at once, aud he will proceed b
carry out his mission"
"Will the Gladstone Ministry resign2 ?"
This question seemed 10 astonish Nj
West who laughed aud said
THAT is question 1 am absolutely un
able to answer There is great excitemen
in England over our defeat and IL is a har
matter to tell what will be DONE"
Major Dyes "reminiscences.
Major Dye was found in his office to.da,
I by CRITIC reporter He received the re
porter very courteously, and TO an inquiry
about General Gordon said "Gordon
whom ! know personally, Is a man Of great
good sense. He has excellent executive
ability he has indomitablo courage ant
perseverance,"
But" said tho reporter, there is an im
preston that he Is fanatic"
HGordnn - WAS tho replV "is n SeOtcl