The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-03-15
Another Campaign Determined
Upon by England.
AN ADVANCE ON THE NILE
An Expedition to Crush the
Mahdi's Power.
THE PLANS DETERMINED UPON
1t is Proposed to Re-Conquer Soudan,
Province bylProvince, Beginning
With the Stronghold of
Dongola.

Dongola.
London, March 14.-There is much
rejoicing in the British army at the
prospect of another campaign in the
Soudan, in spite of past experiences
with the fierce, tireless troops of the
Mahdi and the recent defeat of the
italians by the Abyssinians.
That a British-Egyptian advance on
the Nile from Wady-Halfa on Dongola
has been determined upon is no longer
in doubt All the British officers Of
the Egyptian army who have been alb
sent on leave have been ordered TO re-
turn to their posts immediately and a
despatch from Cairo announces that
the Connaught rangers have already
been ordered to Wady-Halfa.
The proposed campaign has been inn
pending for year past, although it
was undoubtedly precipitated by the
crushing defeat of Gen. Baraticri at
Adowa which, it is believed. must
have depressing effect upon the presi-
tige of European arms and may lead
TO an advance northward of the Der
wishes. But the real reason for the
campaign now being prepared at the
British war office may be found III the
fact that Egypt will never be secure
from attack and disaster SO long as the
Mahdi's power remains unshattered
Although the relief of Kassala, may be
the outward cause of the British adj
vance. the possession of the fertile re-
gions about Dongola, which furnish
a wealth of supplies to the Khaiffa, is
| what Great Britain is really after and
there is little doubt that an attempt
to capture the Mahdi's stronghold, Om-
durman, will follow.
The plan of campaign. as submitted
at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday.
is that fiye black infantry battalions,
seven Egyptian battalions and large
| force of artillery and cavalry, with a.
| bout 100 British officers, will compose
| the expeditionary force. The same
/ route that was taken in 1884 viii be
/ followed; but, owing to the low water
| In the Nile at this season, the transport
| of ammunition and supplies must be
! bv camels for which very large num-
Der will be required 1t is proposed to re-
| conquer the Soudan, province by pro-
vince DongoIa will be first taken and
/ then a great deal viii depend upon
circumstances.
| While the campaign is endorsed by
! the Unionists, the Liberal and Radical
press loudly protests against it.
a dispatch to the Globe from
Carlo, published this afternoon,
/ saws that the fast of Ramadan
| there that the Dervishes will cause
| trouble and march northward.
The dispatch adds that much anx-
| iety is felt in official circles and that
| the military authorities have been in
consultation all day.
Several prominent spoting writer's
| insist that the Nationtal Sporting
Club has not forwarded articles Of o.
I greement to james j. Corbett for d box
| ing match with Robert Fitzsimmons.
but there is reason 10 believe that the
clubs denial Of the report that it has
| put up a $4,000 purse is intended to
/ prevent the English authorities from
| interfering.
/ Tt has been learned that the Ma
tional Sporting Club has requested
well-known sporting editor to draft
| the required articles, which, after be-
| ing approved by the club, will be for
warded to New York.
The Secretary of State for War, the
/ MARQUIS of Lansdowne, has finally de-
cjded to form regiment of gentle
men," a proposition which has been
haggled over in the press for some
/ time past, as to the outcome OF a letter
I from a man who was, according TO one
| Of his critics, evidently of the opinion
that he was too good to fight on equal
I terms and in the ranks with the de-
| scendants of men who fought at Water
/ loo and Trafalgar. The writer's idea
was to form a regiment of so-called
gentlemen otherwise men whose
/ clear proof of utter lack of real genti1i-
| ty would be furnished in their joining
! such a regiment. 4 gentleman, it has
/ been claimed, can be gentleman in
the ranks or before the mast, and TO
! have formed a regiment OF so-called
/ gentlemen" would have been, said one
writer, a deliberate insult to the rest
Of the British army.
Capt. Haines, the commodore OF the
/ Cunard Steamship line, has been re-
tired. He himself wished to continue
/ i'm active service and was desirous OF
/ taking the Campania out to-day; but
/ the company ruled otherwise and the
old sea-dog, whose face is familiar TO
thousands of Americans, will now be
able TO water the flowers that grow in
the garden of his einstead ofdl-
| recting a powerful steamship in her
J la{4lau with Cfc,.Yn and xyavag