Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1896-03-25
THE RAID UP THE NILE
ENGLAND WISHES TO ANTICIPATE
DERVIsH ATTACK
Toe Weak to Successfully
Resist the Invasion.

London, March 20.-Mr Chamberlain,
speaking in the house of commons to-
day on the Egyptian question, said the
situation at Wady Halfa was bad. but
1t might have been borne for some years
longer had it not been for the defeat
of the Italians. Now. however. 1t was
felt that If Kassala falls, the effects
would be incalculable upon Egyptian in
terests, and If Italy were again defeat
ed many tribe hitherto alienated from
the Khalifa would rejoin his forces and
he might make great future effort TO
destroy Egypt, and the civilization of
which England was the protector.
Therefore, 1t was of paramount import
ance to Egypt that Kassala should not
fall, and the advance of the British
Egyptian troops up the Nile was dictat-
ed from this consideration. The wisest
policy for Egypt was TO anticipate an
attack and prevent the concentra tion
of the dervishes, thereby creating diver
sion in favor of Italy.
Mr. Chamberlain further said that
Lord Rosebery had taunted the govern
ment with his isolation but the pres
ent situation did not show that they
We're isolated. Germany supported
Great Britain, Austria warmly APP
proved and Italy thankfully accepted
II. In regard to France and Russia the
government waited ''ironical opposition
cheers"
The government did not want to in
cur incalculable expenditures by send
ing gigantic military force into the
rainless Soudan. If the dervishes were
capable OF serious resistance. which
would overstrain the resources of
Egypt, the government would not enter
into such a policy
Henry Labouchere declared Mr..
Chamberlain had made dangerous
speech and had ignored the feeling of
France. Egypt, he asserted could not
govern herself, and yet 1t was proposed
that she should govern the Soudan.
Henry NJ. Stanley made a speech in
support of the government in the
course of which he said that he hoped
the British troops would push on to
I<hartoum.
Sir Charles Dix considered that the
reasons Chamberlain advanced were tri
vial, and that no evidence had yet beer
submitted that justified the advance.
Mr. Curzon, the parliamentary secre
tary of the foreign office said:
THE present expedition is inseparablN
connected with the work that we ar,
doing i'm Egypt and we should perse.
we're in the task unaccomplished.
A vote was then taken on John Nor
ley's motion for reduction of the civil
service. which was being discussed, and
it was lost. 22S to 145. The result was
received with loud cheers by the sup
porters of the government.
The house of commons had been oc-
cupied an hour previously with various
questions put by John Morley, Sir Will
liam Harcourt and John Dillon, regard
ing the expenses of the Nile expedition
and the understanding with Italy re-
garding the steps taken Morley point
ed out the unfortunate nature of the
expedition decided upon by the govern
ment, saying it was only a violation of
the pledge of Great Britain that she
would not assume a protectorate over
Egypt, but was likely to withdraw from
that country some of the benefits and
blessings of British administration of
its affairs