Evening star., 1896-03-25
THE PORTE'S APPEAL
Powers Asked to Intervene In the
Anglo-Egyptian Affair.
MAY AROUSE BRITISH War SPIRIT
Effect May Be to Increase the
Gravity of the Situation.
THE EXPEDITIONS OBJECT

CONSTANTINOPLE, March 25.-As re-
yult of the extraordinary cabinet council,
which lasted throughout Saturday. the
Turkish government has issued an appeal,
addressed TO France and Russia, asking
them to intervene with the object of reg
Mating the affairs of Egypt Germany, it
Is added, was also requested by the porte
TO exercise her good offices in this sense.
Instructions were also dispatched to the
Turkish ambassador at London to make
Representations to the Marquis of Sails
bury; but their tenor is not known.
In well informed circles it is declared that
the action of the porte is due to the coun-
sells of France and Russia. the govern
nients of which countries, it is claimed
have Submitted that the present is AIN op-
perfume moment for Turkey to raise the
question of her suzerainty over Egypt be-
Ing practically usurped by Great Britain
The governments indicated, it Is alleged
promised Turkey their support in the mat
ter.
There is no doubt that considerable an
noyance is fell by the porte at the fact
Turkey was not consulted in regard to the
advisability of dispatching British -Egyp-
dan expedition up the Nile, and the feeling
OF irritation has been increased by the
khedive also ignoring the porte entirely.
Reproaehes have. in consequence, been
a.dreSSed TO the Ottoman commissioners in
Egypt for net taking steps to prevent the
organization of the expedition, as it is fear
Ga that the effects of the advance up the
Nile viii be felt elsewhere than on the
frontiers of Egypt, and that the Arabs Of
Yemen (the principal division of Arabia
adjacent to the strait Of Bab-el-Mandebj
may be encouraged to fresh hostility to the
Turkish authorities.
In diplomatic circles here it is believed
that the steps taken by the porte 20 pro-
test against the expedition to Dongoia will
not have more than a moral effect and
though 1t is admitted that France and
Russia will refuse their consent to the use
or the Egyptian reserve fund, it is gen
e1alIy understood that nothing short of the
armed interference of those two nations
Will prevent Great Britain from pushing
the Soudan campaign.
May Arouse British War Spirit.
Indeed, there are people who believe that
The appeal of the porte to France Russia
ard Germany to intervene will have an ef-
1ect In Great Britain contrary to the one
Eoped for While it is known that no great
enthusiasm exists in England over the
prospects OF another bloody and expensive
csmpalgn in the Soudan, the appeal of Tur-
Key TO the recognized enemies of Great
Britain for Intervention may arouse the
war spirit of the British lsles and so the
sultan may play into the hands of British
statesmen while aiming to do the reverse.
Inc more this view of the case is con-
sldared the more plausible it becomes for
prominent Engisnmen of both parties had
already declared themselves against the
proposed Soudan campaign, and the expe-
ultion might have been allowed to flicker
out after the occupation of Akasheh Now
however, the British may be spurred to
push onward to KhartoEm, as there is a
great difference, it is pointed out, between
n graceful h. onlyl IL,
opinion in Great Britain and a humiliating
retreat in the face of the adverse repre-
Sentations of France and Russia.
1t IS true, it is argued, that there are only
ABOUT 5,cO purely British troops in Egypt
but this number could be promptly and
largely increased by drafts from India and
Great Britain, and the task of driving
the British out Of Egypt. as suggested by
might be more difficult than calculated
upon by them.
Object of the Expedition,
If the ostensible object of the Anglo.
Egyptian Nile expedition is to be accom-
plished-namely, creating a diversion which
Will relieve kassala-it must be done speed-
lily.
The distance from Wady Halfa, the
southern boundary of Egypt, to Dongola
Is about 300 miles. But the route Is q most
arduous one, even for the black troops of
Egypt, and especially so at this period on
account of the low water of the Nile ne
cessitating the employment of immense
numbers OF camels for transportation and
the possible building of light railroad.
Thon. admitting that Dongola Is reached
without serious reverses. which is by no
means certain, that place is not likely to
capituiate upon simple summons.
A long siege may be necessary and the
2O,To to $1,000 men the Mahdi may muster
there, possibly under Osman Digna, may
prove more than match for the 10000
British-Egyptian troops which will reach
Dongola after most weariSOme march
from Wady Halfa- Then, even with Dom
COLA fallen, kassala Is not necessarily re-
Iieved, and the capture of the latter place
by the Dervishes would threaten Suakim
AMI Tokar.
Need for Holding Dongola.
The possession of Dongola, it Is explained.
is necessary in order to defend Egypt
against De-vish raids. 1t consists of
fortified town in a district of the same
name. Locally the place is known as FL
Ordeh, and it was the headquarters of Sir
Herbert Stewards troops in 1854. An ad-
vance from there in the direction of Berber
can hardly be made until August Or Sep
tember.
Therefore, the Soudan campaign, it is
held, would in all probability have died
out had it been allowed to take it's own
course, but intervention will be likely to
make what was originally party measure
a national question, uniting all parties for
the defense of Great Britain against France
and Russia.
PARIS, March 25.-A semi-official note
was issued this morning stating that
France will refuse to sanction the use of
the Egyptian reserve fund for the purpose
of a British-Egyptian expedition up the Nile
to Dongola. unless she receives precise
pledges concerning the British evacuation
of Egypt.
LONDON, March ga cabinet council
was held this morning. the exchange CT
views being devoted to the discussion of the
British-Egyptian expedition up the Nile
The comnlander-in-chief, Lord Wolseley
was present. General Sir Francis Grenfel
Inspector general of the auxiliary forces,
was also present.
JUDGE HUGHES BURIED.