The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-03-26
THE RAID UP THE NILE.
ENGLAND WISHES TO ANTICIPATE
A DERyIsH ATTACK.
Tribesmen of the Soudan Conside cred
TOO 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
it 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 a tribe hitherto alienated from
the Khalifa would rejoin his forces and
he might make great future effort 10
destroy Egypt, and the civilization Of
which England was the protector
Therefore, it was Of paramount import
ance to Egypt that Kassala should not
fan, 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 concentration
of the derylshes thereby creating diver
sion in favor OF Italy.
Mr.. Chamberlain further said that
Lord Rosebery had tainted the govern
ment with his isolation, but the pres
ent situation did not show that they
were isolated. Germany supported
Great Britain, Austria warmly APP
proved and Italy thankfully accepted
1t. 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 a 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 M. 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 been
submitted that justified the advance.
Mr.. Curzon, the parliamentary secre-
tary of the foreign office, said:
The present expedition is inseparably
connected with the work that we are
doing In Egypt. and we should perse-
we're In the task unaccompllshed.
A vote was then taken on John Nor
ley's motion for reduction of the civil |
service, which was being discussed and |
1t was lost, 22S to 1i5. 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 VIII |
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 1t was only a violation of |
the pledge of Great Britain that she
would not assume protectorate over
Egypt but was likely to withdraw from
that country some of the benefits and
blessings of British administration OF
ltS n ffai,,q