The sun., 1892-04-13

and oficered. are capable Of protecting
Egypt against the Mahdists. and It is prob
ably . recognition OF the fact that has
caused tho Khalifa to announce. as we learn
from the Austrian priest OHRwALDRH. that
he will not attack the Khedlve so long ms
tho British remain at Cairo.
1t is because the efficiency Of the Egyptian
army wholly depends on the English on.
GERS. who have converted into trustworthy
soldiers Just such seemingly worthless
levies as HICKS Pasha led to the shambles.
that the gradual recovery OF tho Soudan is
pronounced by Mr.. NORMAN condition
precedent to the evacuation OF Egypt by
Great Britain. The secret OF the influence
and authority exercised by the English
officers over the native recruits is the
knowledge that behind them stands the
British army Of occupation In Cairo. II
that army were withdrawn. the plans and
orders OF the Englishmen commanding the
native troops would no longer be sure OF
being sustained by the Khedive: and the
officers. instead OF being oil English. would
soon be OF various European nationalitles.
as was the case in the Egyptian army OF
which ARAB Pasha gained control. and
which was subsequently dissolved by
TEwr1K. A division OF authority In the
army would no doubt result as It
did formerly. in intrigue. jealousy. and
corruption: and the soldiers. who at
present nre regularly paid. we'll clothed
and we'll fed. would be left without
pay and often without food or clothing.
Fallen into its former unorganized condl-
tion. the native Egyptian army would be
Al 49,. EnHn yVvv,%
against the Khalifa. and that is why Mr..
NORMAN would have the Egyptians In their
hour Of strength forestall danger and dis
nble the Mahdists for future aggression by
an immediate advance into the Soudan.
What he proposes. however. is a gradual
movement which should at first conflne
Itself to the occupation OF Dongola. Ac-
cordlng to the Information obtained by Mr..
NORMAN at Wady Halfa. all the Soudanese
except tho Beggaras would welcome the
first indication OF q resolute intention to
reassert the Khedive's authority along the
middle and upper Nile. So significant O
step as IN advance upon Dongola would
suffice. it is believed. to draw Off q multi
tude of waverers from the enemy.
1t Is estimated that for the retaking Of
the Soudan onlya q comparatively small ad-
dition would need to be made to the present
Egyptian army. This at present compre-
hends rather more than $4,000 men. Of which
10000 are infantry. 1000 artillery. 75O cav
airy. and 800 camel corps. The cavalry.
artillery. and camel corps are all Egyptians: :
the infantry consist partly Of Egyptian con-
scripts and OF Soudanese (black) volunteers
This army is commanded by rs British off,
GERS. and contains about thirty-five British
non-commissioned officers. The period OF
service is six years with the colors. five In
the police. and four in the reserve. There
is now. it seems. q sum Of over 81. 500. 900 In
the Egyptian treasury only awaiting tho
consent Of the French Government to be
spent in increasing the native force. At
present such nm application OF the money.
like every other British proposal. is OBJ
structed by the French on general prin-
ciples. but Mr.. NORMAN Is doubtless right
in saying that II the French saw that an
increase Of the native army would be step
toward British evacuation. their consent
would be instantaneous.