Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-12-16
SUNDAY. 49,. ..DECEMBER is, 1888.
Emin Bow and Stanley.

lit be true that OswAS DIGNAs letter to
The English authorities al Suakim contained
the letter from the Khediye 10 EnS BeT,
handed to STANLEY when the latter left Cairo,
Il must be confessed that the outlook appears
blue for the gallant Austrian Governor
General 81 the equstOrlal provinces. How
ever, admitting the uch-to.be-regretted
probability. not to say fact, that ENIs IL the
Mahdfs prisoner, II by no means follows
that STANLEY has also been captured. What
seems 10 DO proof OF EMIS's capture has been
furnished. but there is no more substantial
ground for believing that STANLEY has
shared similar fate than the word OF one OF
the most willy, tricky, and unreliable
OF Arab chiefs. That the two eX-
ploren Joined their fortunes permanently
IS a mere matter OF inference unsup-
ported by the opinions Of some OF the
most experienced African travellers. In
considering the matter II should be remem-
bered that the STANLEY expedition was not
organized for the purpose Of bringing EMIS
Bey out Of the Dark Continent. lie did not
want 10 be rescued. All he ever asked was
relief Ia the way Of arms, ammunition, and
supplies aud the opening up Of communities
ton with the civilized world. He Is an en-
thusisst IN science, and as regards what he
considers his duty to those around him ia
cast some what 10 the mould OF Chinese Coz
Don, by whom he was appointed to bis gov
ernor.g cuersship. lie has repeatedly and
distinctly declared that be wou0 not desert
those who bad been faithful to him ADD
abandon the fruits Of the labor OF years in
the line Of scientific and geocraph-
cal investigation and the civilization
and amelloration oi the condition Of those
over whom he ruled. Since STANLEY left
the Aruwimi and started ON his march to
Wadelai more reports than one have been
received that be succeeded IN forming a
junction with EMIN. These reports have not
been disprovcd, but i anything, have ac-
CURED weight from the rumors regarding
the White Pasha, who is pretty we'll ideuti-
led with STANLEY. We find the White
Pasha travelling a route which experts on
African exploration tell us would, OWING TO
the disturbed condition Of the White Nile
country and the country between EHIN's
territory and the east coast, be STANLEY's
natural route Of retreat after relieving
EMN, and which would bring him out
on the waters Of the Upper Niger,
where STANLiY WAS last reported to
hsye been heard from. When the fact
T. taken into consideration that the Nah.
d commands the Milo route TO ENNIS terri
tory, il il not inconsistent with probability
Co suppose that EWN was capiured-if n
captive he really is-siter STANLEY bad ac-
eomplshed he object OF his expedition and
had made good progress on his retreat In
deed, reasoning from the wel.foHnded pos
tulste that STANLEY and the White Pasha are
one, the conclusion that the American ex-
plorer Is on the Niger IS further strengthen
ed by the fact that the Mshdl sent an expedi-
ton in pursuit Of the White Pashs, which
advanced as far west a. Waday, aud COM
PEELED the submission OF the ruler Of that
province.
But whether The Mahdi has captured both
STANLEY and ENIN Bey, or ENN alone, Eng.
Ianu ~ Cohltohtcu WIN very sotiOuS PiV"
blem. Not TO yield to OsMAN DIGNRs
terms would be to sacrifice one or two, and
perhaps more noble lives. To accept the
terms and abandon suakim would be TO re.
Iinquish all hope OF the rtestablishment OF
British prestige in the SoudAn for some time
90 come. The situation would seem TO in-
Volve a struggle between British syarice and
British humanity. Already the subject has
been brought before the House OF Commons,
and the debates on II show that the,Govern-
ment fully appreciate the gravity Of the
outlook, II not the fact that the work OF
smashing the Mahdi has been delayed too
long.