The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-18
How Graham win Defend suakim.

Cable Special
General Graham has ordered radical change
in the dispositions for defense on the land side
of Suakim, and his advent is hailed by the sol
ders like the coming Of a savior. The Suakim
garrison has been desperately worked during
the past few weeks. The Guards have been put
to unaccustomed drills in handling siege guns;
tha Egyptians have been-sant -whereyar there
has been chance of stopping bullets, and the
Indians have been employed in sallies TO terrify
the Arabs.
All hands are worried ard excited. The con-
slant night attacks by Osman Digna's troops
prevent all chance of sleep, and necessary fa-
tigue and police duty during the day keep the
British troops fully employed. AS sample of
the vigilance required on the advance line, it
may be worth while to relate an experience of
last night. At about midnight the enemy began
creeping in small parties toward the right of the
British line The Guards were stationed
on the right, and they have been taught by bit
ter experience to beware of allowing the Arabs
to come to close quarters The pickets shot in
the dark at the advancing enemy, and then fell
back upon their earthworks. The troops behind
the Notifications delivered heavy fire upon the
unseen foe, and the incident was supposed to be
ended. In the meantime far more serious
attack was being made upon the left of the
British line. The enemy advanced in the same
stealthy manner that had been employed in the
surprise on the British right, and presently the
ground swarmed with Arabs, many of whom
were armed with excellent rihces. They at
tackled the Grenader Guards and were repulsed
with considerable loss. They were rallied again
by their officers, and they made an onslaught
upon the camp of the Bengal Lancers. A
spirited skrmish ensued, but the Lancers finally
succeeded in beating off the Arabs. About half
a dozen of the Indians were killed, and several
were wounded. The Arabs lost about hundred
men, but they managed to carry off from the
field most of their dead and wounded. Desultory
picket firing was continued all night.
General Graham expects to make general ad
vance of his troops toward the interior some
time next week His first objective point will
be Sinkat, where an intrenched summer camp
can be established in a healthy location and with
a sufficient supply of water. 1t will also be a
comparatively easy matter to keep up line Of
communication and supply between Sinkat and
Suakim.
incidentally, the British will have to smash
Osman Digna before getting to Sinkat Then
they expect to await the subSidence of the hot
winds from the south, and remain at Sinkat until
autumn weather shall make it practicable to ad
vance upon Berber.
Osman Digna does not appear to have been
consulted as to the programme. He has issued
a proclamation in which he tells his followers
that he is about to smash the British, to occupy
Suakim, and to capture all the ships that have
transported infdel dogs After occupying Sua
triumphant troops. Then the combined forces
will cross the Red sea in the captured British
transports to Jeddah in Arabia Thence they
will march upon Mecca, where Ell Mahdi is to be
anointed and acclaimed as the successor of Mo-
hammed He will next proceed TO Stamboul,
having behind him the authorization Of the Mos
lem world, and will smash the false Caliph who
occupies the Turkish throne.