The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-03

The news from Egypt has drawn at
IL, IN one of the few frontiers where
ciyilization and barbarsm yet stand on
gtiard-a dead-line sharply drawn ana
impossible. Trader explorer and Ills
sionary are equally shut out from lhe
wild regions beyond. In dozen years
one European has entered the Soudah'
olivier Pain. "A half-crazy trencifnah'
His death was painful ana sudden.
The history of the Mahdist power ana
its present condition are NOT, however
entirely unknown % the outer world. Al
the first outbreak several white priests
nuns and government officials we're ldheh
prisoners. one by one these have es-
capped The last of them, Slatth Pasha'
reached Cairo less than a year ago. BE
ing OF considerable use 10 their ignorant
captors they had been allowed some
liberty in camp. and had opportunities
for observing the progress or events.
From these sources and from native spies
the Egyptian government ana It's Army
Intelligence Department have obtained
much Information.
The Mahdi has been dead for some ten
years. on his death-bei bee designated
as his successor the kallfa Abaullah.
man of strong character but narrow,
ignorant and cruel. he has brought
his own tribesmen the Baggara. 10 Omdu-
man, and upon them he bcst0Ws all his
favOrs. upon them he depends for sup
port. The other tribes are said TO be
apathetlc or disanected. especially the
Dongolese. the knsmen of the dead
Mahdi. who occupy the country along the
Egyptian frontier.
The formerly hourishing external trade
ia gum, corn. ana ivory has been, OF
course destroyed. The power OF the
Kalifa, cruel and despouc as it is. has
not sutiiced to suppress disorder. Police
and the punishment OF crime are scarcely
thought Of. Years OF crop failures and
famine, years Of pestilence and unceasing
war, have brought the people 10 look back
10 the days of Egyptian rule as a time OF
peace and plenty. 10 Is confidently be-
lieVed that the Dervish realm is on the
verge of chaos and collapse.
But what Of the other side OF the line?
Egypt has been the chief of England's
latter-day successes. II IS in Egypt that
the common-sense, the honesty of pur-
pose the unfailing energy and admins
tratiye ability. Of the imperial English
men have been most strikingly shown
Finances have been placed on a sound
and prosperous footing. Receipts large
~ exceed expenditures, and the govern
ment has IN hand a considerable sum OBJ
tanned through the successful manipula-
ton Of the bonded debt. IL has been pro-
posed 10 use this for the construction Of
a new barrage or irrigation dam at As
sOuan, which would add enormously 10
the cOuntrys arabic area. The consent
of the six great powers OF Europe is.
however, necessary for most important
financial measures. and In this case the
blind opposition OF France 10 all things
Angio-Egyptian has as usua. stood In
the way. The government has, never
theless, large and increasing portion Of
the revenue entirely at its own DISPOSE
ton.
The agriculture Of the country is In an
equally thriving state. Egyptian cotton.
Is with the exception OF our own small
Sea Island product. the best and most
saleable I'm the market, and the cultiya-
ton of cane-sugar Yields high profits.
Irrigation methods upon witch the whole
life OF the country depends. have been
steadily improved. and modern sanitary
ana quarantine systems introduced. Tax
alton is being carefully equalized. and
the ancient barbarities OF corvee and
kurbash. forced lnbor and the whip.
have been done away with The fella-
heen are docile and laborious folk with
little thought OF politics. Good order.
peace and unceasing labor reign every
where.
At this time The army organization is
matter Of especial interest. There are.
aside from the police. eight battalions OF
fellaheen Infantry five OF blacks or
SOudanese. one OF cavalry, camel corps,
and several batteries OF artl.ery-in all
some l2.oO0 men. The fellaAcen, while
OF good physique and well disciplined
have shown little OF natural ngh,lng
qualities. II il claimed, however. that
they have improved In morale Of late
years, and better things are expected OF
them. The blacks. on the other hand
thin, narrow -shoulaeTed men, and hid
eously ugly-are born fighters. though
much more difficult 10 control. In the
black battalions ali officers above the
grade OF captain are English, ana IN the
fellaheen battaIions about half.
These English officers. some seventy In