New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-04
SOUDAN AND TRANSVAAL.
THE DONGOLA ExPEDrTION-FRENCH
HOsTILITY-THE JAMESON TRIAL.

The occupation Of Akasha marks the first
stage Of the reconquest OF the Soudan II there
were any doubt about 1t at the outset. when
the advance toward Dongola was announced 40
a tentative measure. II has been dispelled by
the apathy Of the English people respecting II.
The Liberal Opposition IN the Commons has
united In condemning this departure from the
Gladstone policy Of thirteen years ago; but
there has been no popular revolt behind this
demonstration of political loyalty to a great
leader The reconquest OF the SOudan Is re.
garded by the press as the Interior policy Of the
Government, although not one that will be UNI
dertaken prematurely or incautiousy. Akasha
has been occupied this week. and there will be
no retreat. Dongola will be the next goal, ana
after it Abu-Hamed and Khartoum will be gar.
risoned; and the equatorial provinces Will be
eventually recove. e6 There is no popular en-
thusiasm over a policy fraught with danger ana
difficulty. but 1t is accepted with composure ana
equanimity as something predetermined BY
British destiny.
Moreover, those who are best informed ~
speeding Egyptian affairs do not consider the
undertaking a hazardous one. The Dervisnes
are not what they were when the Egyptian
garrisons massacred and the armies OF
Hicks and Valentine Baker destroyed The Sou
fanaticism and welded into cohesive fight
ing horde. The tribes fighting among them
selves, and the Soudan Is honeycombed with
dsaffection Neither the Khalifa. nor Osman
Digna, nor any other leader rally the men
Of the desert with the old-time spirit and eff
cheney The Dervishes have not forgotten how
to fight, but their battaons are no longer in
vncible in combat with Egyptian troops. There
are Soudanese regiments in the Egyptian ser.
vice which hold their ground against any
desert tribes and with Maxims and superior
arms and discipline the restoration OF the OUT
lying empire once ruled from Cairo will be an
easier task than Is generally supposed This
Is the opinion OF the experts. who assume that
the decadence Of the power OF the Dervishes 10
understood in Cairo. IL not in London
CHANGES OF FIFTEEN YEARS
Expert opinion, however proves too much fos
the Government case as It has been explained
In Parliament The advance toward Dongola
has been justified as a precautionary measure
that is rendered necessary by the. critical con-
dtion Of affairs at Kassala and by the dangers
to which the Egyptian frontier is exposed II
the Mahdists are rent asunder by feuds and no
longer formidable as soldiers. the Egyptian
frontier would appear TO be safe enough WITH
out the occupation OF Akasha and Dongoia,
and for analogous reasons the Italian garrison
at Kassala is not in imminent peril ana IN
need OF diversion long way down the Nile.
Expert opinion however, may not be 50 trust
worthy as II assumes TO be- and Lord Cromer.
who has the best possible facilities for forming
an accurate Judgment, seems TO be convinced
that the Dervishes are still dangerous, and may
become extremely formidable.
The conditions of Egyptian administration
have been transformed since the defeat OF Arab
and the subsequent abandonment OF the Soudan.
Then the Government Of Cairo was utterly in
capable Of ruling the great empire which had
been acquired by conquest. Now 1t has reor-
ganized army recruited from natives OF higher
intelligence and its finances are In excellent
condition Under British supervision the Sou
dan would be governed more wisely than II was
during the period when Mr.. Gladstone ordered
the evacuation. Ever since the battle OF Toski
IN 1889. when the black bat.alions showed how
we'll they could fight. there has been a strong
movement in Egypt in favor OF the recovery OF
the lost empire The mercantile classes have
favored IL because IL would lead 10 an improve
ment " trade in the Nile Valley and the policy
OF expansion appeals 10 the enlightened SELF
interest az well as to the vanity OF the Khedivs
and his advisers. The abandonment OK the
Soudan has been followed by relapse into
barbarsm. The restoration Of Egypt's Nile en-
pire under a reformed system OF administra-
ton would promote the ends of good govern
ment and progress.
The advance to Dongola increases immeasur-
ably British responsibilities and postpones In
definitely the evacuation OF Egypt. Whatever
financial arrangements may be made by the
Debt Commission for defraying temporarily the
expenses of the expedition French Ministry
which acquesces in what Is plainly an extern
sion Of the British Term Of occupation can
hold It's ground. Behind France is Russia. ana
Constantinople Is controlled practically from ST.
Petersburg. Paris Is the real point OF danger.
rattle than Dongola or Khartoum or kassala.
Only a few weeks ago Lord Salisbury took ad-
vantage of the outbreak OF anti-German feel
ing In England and by the negotiation OF the
siam Convention established closer relations
with France than had existed FOR a long time.
That exchange Of good offices and pleasant
condiments Is already forgotten. England 10
again the enemy. who has been convicted OF
had faith IN Eyypt The press Of Paris speaks
,,,,, an, vo,ce In condemnation Of the Soudan
.xrad,,,on as a discreditable pretext for con-
,tnusd occupation OF Egypt and reputation
-, so,omn pledges made TO Europe. 1t Is criti-
c,sn, so bitter and angry as to revive tho
nr,nheces of the best-nformed observers IN
Europe that the next great war VIII De between
England and france
THE TRANsvAAL COMPLICATIONS.
Meanwhile the Transvaal enlargement Is nos
unrayelling. The governing Boer class Is OPP
po,lng strenuous resistance to all reform meas
ures and Is attempting TO prevent President
Kriger's proposed visit to England. There are
many disquietng rumors from Pretoria. and
there are signs Of an irreconcilable race con-
aict in South Africa. The Hollander ring which
Is enriched by the present system Of govern
ment, regards the Uitlander movement as
conspiracy on sthe part Of the capitalists OF
johannesburg supported by millionaire specu-
,ators In Cape Town and London, and II de-