The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-19
THE KHARroUM EXPEDITION.
A Review of the Revolt and the Efforts for
Gordon's Relief.

Review of the Revolt and the Efforts for
Gordons Relief
london Gable Special, Jan. II.
One year ago tomorrow Chinese" Gordon
started for Khartoum. His departure was the
result of series of the most extraordinary Cab
met conferences ever held in England. The
ministry, by violating the neutrality of the Suez
canal, had crushed the Egyptian rebellion, and
the Egyptian fellaheen were compelled to again
submit to the yoke. Arab who had calculated
upon English respect for the canals neutrality,
believed himself capable of keeping the British
troops out of Egypt long enough to at least win
compromise, and prayed to Allah for staying
powers for his rebels until Ell Mahdi could gain
complete ascendency in the Soudan, SO that the
control of Turkey in Lower and Upper Egypt
might be broken. The Khedive was the Suzerain
of Egypt. When Arab whipped and sent
prisoner to Ceylon, the Soudanese, instead Of
laying down their arms, vastly increased the
magnitude of their rebellion Ell Mahdi soon
found himself at the head of the largest military
force that had assembled for generations from
| among the natives He was most extraordi-
nary man. He fulfilled in his person all the
peculiarties described by Mahomet 600 years
ago as the marks by which the faithful would
know the Prophet when he arose to deliver the
people of Allah. The time of the prophet was at
hand Ell Mahdi declared himself to be Messiah.
The Soudanese accepted him, and poured their
wealth at his feet to support his cause. The
number of his followers was talked about as
'myrads." So overwhelmingly appeared this
mans strength, and SO inyincble his progress.
that Constantinople trembled before it as at the
approach of an earthquake The Porte be-
sought England for help.
The Khedive deported himself as if stricken
with mental palsy. He frantically appealed to
Great Britain to keep him upon the throne by
checking the progress of the Prophet The
Prime Minister of England hestated as one
does coming upon ghost. He finally declined
to interfere with the Mahdi Engand's' duty
under the Joint control of the Khedive dominion,
he argued, was bound by Lower Egypt, and
could not be exerted, except to conine the
Prophets operations to the Soudan For time
this was considered final but the Soudaneso
revolution grew apace, the Prophet talked of
going to Constantinople, and the Sultan and
Khedive approached lunacy. Gladstone was
at last forced to act He was Christian;
he hated war; he recollected the COM
bat before Pharaoh between Moses and the
Kings prophets He decided to meet 81
himself to King Leopold of Belgium TO assist
Stanley in forming the free State of Congo, but
the Soudan mission was more important than
that, and Gordons release was obtained lie
entered London as a hero He dictated his
terms. He was given full power, and WAS the
first man ever sent out Of England carrying the.
full powers of the state. He went TO take pes.
session of Khartoum. He agreed TO mash the
Mahdi, and was instructed to restore order IN
the entire Soudan region and turn it over to the
Khedive.
He departed as if upon triumphal tonr He
took no legions along; he was armed with a
cane. He reached khartoum without hinirance.
Then he issued Christian proclamation;
He has been there ever since, fighting day ard
night for living.
England has been months trying to relieve
| him. and the end Of the year witnesses the
| greatest living English general. at the head Of
the flower of the empires army, engaged in the
most costly and hazardous march Of the present
generation in the effort to rescue alive from
Khartoum the Christian gentleman who took
the town with stick. But Lord General
Wolseley is not yet at the Soudan capital. Every
one of the British papers is taunting the govern
ment with the very small progress made By the
expedition and with the present disgraceful po-
sition of the entire Egyption question. The
| Pail Mall Gazette, which is perhaps at the pres
| ent time the most ardent Liberal journal in
London, in its issue of this evening, comment
ing on the Nile imbroglio, in sorrow admits that
| Gordon's defense of Khartoum is the sole star
relieving the gloom of the Egyptian sky.
| Everywhere else in British foreign affairs,
the Gazette AYERS, are confusion and vaccination.
| The whole management of outside affairs seems
| to be an exhibition Of political idiocy. The
| Gazette is mild compared to ether papers. The
| opinion gains ground that the government will
| find it absolutely impossible to abandon khartoum
| after Gordon's relief The old and once abandoned
suggestion that it be placed under the jurisdie-
| tion of the Mudir of Dongola Is being revived.
Gen. Gordon himself originally proposed this,
but the idea was abandoned because Of the
belief entertained by the majority Of the Cabi,
net that the Mudir was a secret ally of Ei
Mahdi and engaged in conspiracy to secure
the capital for the Pronhet but the Mndir Of