New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-25
EMTN AT WADELAT.


Seldom is a single brief news dispatch more
significant at once of humor, of heroism, and
of what is vaguely called poetic justice, than
that which this morning announces the return
of Emin pacha to Wadelai. 1t comes to us
through the most Advantageous channels OF
that part of the Dark Continent, and in all
probability is entirely true. Yet it forms a
passage in the great drama of African research
and conquest which would reflect credit upon
the inventive powers of the most imaginative
romancer. In oden times it would have IN
spired a saga or an epic. To-day it is hashed
in cipher along submarine wire, and then sent
in fmsy manifold to the various newspaper
offices, just as though it told that the wheat
market was steadier or the gold premium IN
Argentina decreasing. In such matter-of-
fact way does this fin dc steele" deal with the
most thrilling history.
When Emin was at Wadelai before, his figure
was both heroic and pathetic. lie was nobly
maintaining the trust that Gordon, in humanitys
name, had confided to him but he was neglect
ed and abandoned by the powers that ishouid
have supported him, and the shameful tate thao
befel Gordon seemed likely to come also 10
him. At last the relief expedition was sent
and il is only just to say that great as was
the interest in its illustrous leader, the SYM
pathies of the world went equally out TO It's
object And the exultatlon with which MI
Stanley's arrival at Zanzibar was hailed was not
more than commensurate with the JOY over the
fact that he brought with him safe and sound
the last of the heroes Of the SOudan. Then,
however came deplorabe change. Hard
things wero said of Emln on the one hand ana
of his rescuers on the other. The voices that
spoke against Emin were the loudest. Ana
presently he was made to appear ridiculous, ana
his abrupt return into the wilderness from which
Mr.. Stanley had brought him forth at such pains
| and cost was followed by storm OF Jeering ana
contempt. He was, men said, pig-headed ana
short-sighted old crank of naturalist, who
would do we'll enough at hunting bugs and COL
lecting herbaria, but who had not IN him the
| first elements Of soldier or ruler. so, Tor
time, amid the catcalls of the gallery and the
amused scorn of the boxes he vanished from the
stage and England looked coldly on at the
relapsing of his once fair province into barbar-
ism, only determined that, in her own good
time. she would reclaim it and add 1t to her
African Empire.
What now? To-day's dispatches tell the
SEQUEL This quiet and deSpised German doctor
did not rush back to the desert in tit OF
peevishness and pique. He did not, as they
said, go ug-huntng; nor yet to have his blood
redden some Nasal spear. He knew what ne
was about, and the world knows it now. lie
has routed the forces of the Dervishes lie has
captured their stores of arms and ammunition
and their treasures Of elephants tusks He has
retaken all his old stations in the Equatorial
Soudan. And now he rests at Wadelai in
" neace with honor" There has been no moro
gallant exploit in African history. The man
who passed from view as laughlng-stocK re-
appeals as a conquering hero, doing deed
which his contemnerS deemed Impossible. Hay
ing time and again begged England to preserve
the Equatorial Province from ruin and take 1t
for her own, and having time and again been
refused. he now steals stupendous march upon
her. goes in and redeems the. Province single
handed. and makes himself in the eyes OF the
moral law the arbiter of Central Africa Cor
don made no mistake when he chose that man
to be his lieutenant.
The last act of course is not yet played
Unhappily, not even such heroic work as that
Of Emin is to decide the future OF the Soudan
Such matters are settled by juggling diplomats
at London and Berlin. The two great Power:
have agreed to partition all of Eastern and
East-central Africa between them and in the1
scheme the Equatorial Province lies within the
sohere of British influence. This master-strokt
Of Emin's will complicate the case. He has mo-
reconquered the country with any idea Of hand
ing it over to England of that be very sure
Neither will the rapacious British East African
{ Company be pleased to see its richest pros
, pective booty seized for Germany. What tht
Powers will eventually decide is as uncertain
as the verdict of petit jury But every senti
ment of justice and fair play demands that il
, the final council there shall be no more com
handing voice than that of the man who TO
? the second time has redeemed the country il
/ dispute from hopeless barbarism.