New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-22
STANLEY SAFE IN AUG USE

The news from Stanley by way of Zanzl-
bar would be reasuring II Osman Dlghas
mendacity were demonstrated. AS IL Is
the most that can be said is that he was
alive and well in the middle Of August
and was preparing to return to Emin, who has
subsequently, been reported to be the Mahdl S
prisoner. Tippoo Tbs messengers arriving at
Zanzibar bear the tidings that Stanley reached
Bouyala, on the Upper Aruwhimi, on August
II, having left Emin on May q. lie had re-
turned for loads of stores which had been left
behind in charge Of his rear-guard. 1t was
his intention TO make fresh start for the
Equatorial Provinces on August 81, apparently
not being willing to abandon the hope OF res
cuing Emn. If the journey back occupied as
many weeks as his march to Bouyala he would
have arrived at Wadelai or possibly Lado on
November H. Now, according to Osman Dlg-
mas account sent to General Grenfell, Lado
was captured and Emn taken prisoner on
October H. If that story be true, Stanley
while safe on August II, was approaching in
November. not Emins, but Oman Saleh's head
quarters. He may have been led into an am
buscade. If warned in time of the altered con-
dition Of affairs he may, of course have re-
traced his steps to the Arlwhimi. But that
would be unlike Stanley. If Emin were still
a prisoner at Lado he would be anxious to effect
a rescue: and large portion Of his escort must
have been left behind in the Equatorial Prov
inces and he would not have been likely to
abandon his white companions and the Zanzl-
baris without an effort.
1t is premature then to assume that Stanley S
safety is assured. Indeed, his letter tends to
confirm one of the details of Oman Salehs re-
port Of the capture of Lado. That report
stated that Stanley had arrived at Emins head
quarters with instructions from the khedive
that white traveller was taken prisoner at
Lado: and that another one had previously
been there, but had departed, and Oman Saleh
was looking for him. Now these details fit in
naturally with Stanley's movements. The
traveller who was captured, if not Captain
Casati, was probably one of the four white men
who accompanied the relief expedition. Stan
ley himself had gone back for his rear-guard'
and when Lado was captured he was expected
within a fortnight. If the account sent to Gen
eral Grenfell be an Arab fiction. the inventor
was certainly favored by a remarh~5lc series
of condolences tending to corroborate his hes
Of Lado as reported by Oman Saleh and the
facts as related by Stanley is so close that we
apprehend that Osman Digna for once in his
life has told the plain, unvarnished truth.
The return of Stanley for the supplies left
at Bouyala may be explained on the theory
that the invasion of the Equatorial Provinces
by the Mahdis forces was not expected when
he took leave Of Emn on May 81. From an
account received during the summer IRON
Khartoum it is known that preparations were
then making for the expedition up the White
| Nile in Gordon's steamers. News OF the pro
ected movement could not have reached Lad(
at Wadelai until long after SANKEY'S depart
ure. As Emin was we'll supplied with pro-
visions and apparently secure against attack
the explorer naturally returned to take up his
rear guard. When he approaches Emin's cap
ital he will be in imminent peril, If Oman Salel
be in possession of the country.
These conjectures will require reshapine
if the dispatch from st. Thomas
announcing the arrival of Stanley
and Emin on the Aruwhimi proves &c
be correct These tidings are without date
and do not harmonic with the Zanzibar adj
vices or with the story Of Emin's capture. They
may mean that Stanley returned to Wadelai
rescued Emin from perilous position and tool
him back to the Aruwhimi 1t is possible
though, that there may have been mistake
about Emin's accompanying Stanley and tha
the St. Thomas dispatch refers to the return o.
Stanley to Bouyala mentioned in the dispatch
| from Zanzibar.
The scene of all these movements is brought
clearly before the eyes of our readers in tht
admirable map printed on the first page Of
this isSue