New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-17
ENGLAND TO THE RESCUE.
am FOR THE ITALIANS IN THEIR ABYs-
SINIAN CAMPAIGN.

AGAINST THE DERvisHEs AND EVENTUALLY
TO OCCUPY KAssALA--AN EXCITING DE-
BATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
CONFLUENCE IN THE
GOVERNMENT VOTED.
London. March l6.--George Nathaniel Curzon,
parliamentary Secretary for the Foreign Office
and the rspresen tative of that department Of the
British Government in the House OF Commons,
made statement in the House to-day which sets
At rest all doubts. II any lad existed. as to the
attitude Of Groa, Britain toward the Drebund.
the Government coming out squarely in favor OF
and in sympathy with Italy in the latters cam
pagn in Abyssinia. and justifying the course
adopted by Lord Salisbury In sending an ex-
neiition against Dongola.
Mr. Curzon's statement led to the most ex-
citing debate Of the session. In which the Gov
s-nment's policy attacked by Sir William
Harcourt Mr.. Labouchere, Sir Charles Dixie and
John Redmond. and defended by A. ]. BalfoAr.
First Lord Of the Treasury and Government
leader in the House Confidence in the Govern
ment was finally voted by 2GS to 1926.
Mr. Curzon said that for some time past the
Government had heard rumors that large and
formidable advance of the Dervsh forces was
contemplated. which threatened three widely
separated objective points-Murch Wells, be-
tween KOrOSkO ana Apu-HdlieO, HtNt lOhoi'
between Berber and Suakim. and also Kassala.
News had reached Cairo that large bodies Of re-
,nforcng Dervshes were being pushed forward
10 Dongola This Information had come into the
rossession of the Government at the end OF
February All the information which had been
received by the Government portended an ad-
vance Of the Dervishes Of serious proportions
and equally serious results. The immediate OBJ
jective point Of the Dervshcs was perhaps Kas-
sala but there an ultimate danger. the re-
suit Of which could not fail to react upon Egypt.
The information which had reached the Gov
ernment had caused considerable anxiety. the
more 50 as the Italian forces in Abyssna were
known 10 be in difficulties. Then came the disas-
ter TO the Italian army at Adowa. which had
been heard of throughout the United Kingdom
with much sympathy and regret (Cries from the
Irish benches Of mo, Nor and remark from
T NJ Healy "It served them right.')
THE PEACE OF EUROPE MENACED.
Mr. Curzon resuming his remarks after the
interruption. said: "Yes. sympathy which was
not broken by few cissentitnt voices.
Cbecrs) The Italians are not only engaged In
battle with the Abyssinians. but Kassala itself
is threatened by a force Of Dervishes. estimated
10 be 100000 strong. Obviously there are at
present influences at work and forces un-
chained in Central Africa which. If flushed with
victory, mean serious darge. not only TO Egypt
and British occupation thereof, but to the peace
Of Europe and the cause Of civilization The
Government has been in constant communica-
ton with the Government of Egypt. and the
opinion Of the military authorities both mere
and in Cairo is that advance up the Nile
Is necessary Consequently advance Of Brit
.sh troops has been ordered to a town one
third Of the distance between Wady-Halfa and
Dongola. and 1t may ultimately be made 70
Dongola."
Mr. Curzon said he had seen 1t affirmed in
the newspapers that the expedition was prima-
rily destined for Dongola. 1t was not usual.
he said, to publish a plan Of campaign, and
4, might not be wise In this case. The future
actions OF the Government must be regulated
by consider atoms not merely Of military i'm
portance. but Of political and financial moment
as we'll The Government was convinced that
the steps which it had decided upon would
act as diversion for the relief of Kassala ana
also save Egypt from a mena,e which, II LETT
alone, would grow 10 formidable dimensions
After the Soudan expedition had reached
Akasheh, between WadyHalfa and Dongola. 1t
possibly would advance to Dongola. and would
also occupy Kassala.
MR. LABOUCHERE STARTS THE FIGHT.
Mr. I.abouchere moved 70 adjourn in order TO
consider the serious situation which had been re-
vealed by the statement in regard to Egypt and
the Soudan made by MIR Curzon. Mr.. Labou-
chere contended that the expedition into the
Soudan was worse than needless 1t hindered
the fulfment of the pledges Of Great Britain
to evacuate Egypt. ani he doubted whether 1t
would relieve the Italians He was warm
friend Of Italy. he said but not Of Italy In
Africa His sympathies rather with the
men to whom that country belonged
Sir Charles Dixie said he did not believe that
the real object Of TIE expedition was the safety
Of the Egyptian frontier. nor diversion in favor
Of the Italians. which was impossible Dongola.
he said was on the way 10 Khartoum and Oar
fur He suspected that the Government intended
TO strike both places and establish position at
Darfur as the centre Of he great African King
dom which they hoped 10 establish in the near
future.
OPPOSED BY SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT
Sir William Harcourt, the Liberal leader In the
House. followed Sir Charles Dixie He said that
II this was the first step Of G forward policy in
Egypt 1t was of most perilous character ana
deserved strenuous opposition. There was d
great party in England which learned noth'hs
from experience, and which was always eager
for the extension Of the Empire wh'ch was al
ready large enough to please me mos aa n1iu ,,,e
rate ambition. lie would not III the mean .in. @
assume that there was any Intention on the par.
Of the Government to give TO the movement up
the Nile a significance beyond Mr.. Curzoh
statement He asked the House to note that the
Government repudiated any intention to occupy
the Soudan. The House was bound 70 assume
that this was q small movement Tor inhltary Pui
poses to meet a temporary occasion. He hoped
there would be early opportunity TO discuss tne
matter in its larger bearings. when me VINO. whoie
policy OF the occupation OF Egypt was considereo'
(Cries OF Hear! Hear. Hear.)
Mr.. BALroUR's STATEMENT.
The Right Hon Ra,four Government
leader In the House. said that all the Govern