Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-25

from the Anglo-Indian army will be needed
In addition to the Soudanese and the Fella-
neen IN the khediVe's service to overthrow
the khalfa AbduIlah and reconquer the
former dependencies of Egypt.
The scene of Englands latest military
operations in Africa Is laid in that region
south of Egypt and west of the Red sea,
which is traversed by the Nile and it's
tributaries. and to which four great fight
ing powers lay claim. OF these powers
two are distinctively African. Foremost of
these is the ancient kingdom of Abyssinia,
the most effective organized element in the
dark continent, and the other native power
Is the empire of the Mahdi," one of the
most formidable military organizations in
the eastern hemisph outside of Europe
1t is said that the MahGI and his dertishes
represent a fighting force of not less than
oin.to men, The effective army of the
Abyssiniars actually; In the field under the
valiant King Nenei1i is said to number not
less than 100000 men, all supplied with
modern rifles and equipment. Although
they nave not hitherto worked in harmony,
existing circumstances may bring these
two nshting races-one Moslem and the
other Observation-Disclosures in a common
cause against Italy. which is encroaching
upon Abyssinia, and against England,
which, as the ally Of Italy, is moving upon
Egyptian Soudan were closed to the out
ward world with the massacre of the
Egyptian army under Gen. Hicks in 1852,
followed by the events leading I'D to the
fruitless expedition of Gen. WolseIey in
1883. % t.ra
After the establishment of an italian
colony at the port of Margowah in 1885,
Italy began to extend her possessions in
land, and to consider the whole great coun-
try Of Abyssinia its legitimate prey.
She pushed forward her African policy with
more or less success, until she met her
Waterloo at Adowa in the early part of
last month. In January the Italian gar
rison had been driven from MakaIih, not
withstanding which preparations were
made for a more formidable advance Gen
Baldiserra held the supreme command, with
Cen Baratiera as the NEST prominent of a
dozen other general officers with the army
Gen. Baratieri was leading some 1900
troops, and had taken position at Adowa
where he awaited the arrival of Gen.
Baldserrl with reinforcements. Before
their arrival. however, on the LIST of March,
an engagement was recipitated. which re-
suited in the overwhelming defeat of the
Italians, with a loss of over 5000 men, in
GLIDING many officers. In all the story of
Europe's attempts to subdue Africa no such
single military disaster had ever overtaken
European soldiery. 1t caused a crisis in
Italy and an immediate change in the
ministry.
Enaianda Help to Italy.
After mucn secret consultation with the
foreign office of Germany, Austria and Eng
land it was finally concluded. however. not
to abandon the African project, but to
maintain a firm front in Erytrea, while en-
deavoring to negotiate a peace with Meme
Xix that would save Italian honor. Mean
while the opportunity has been improved
by Great Britain to show her intimate re-
lationship with Italy by sending an expedi-
ton composed of Egyptian troops to oc-
cupy Dongola. In announcing this policy
to the house of commons, Mr.. Cur1on, I'M
der secretary for foreign affairs, pointed
out that the success of the Abyssinians
would urquestionably increase the restless
ness of the Mahdt and his dervishes, and
that unless the British in their capacity as
occupants of Egypt should take an agrees
sive stand. there was real danger of an
Arab invasion that might extend even to
Cairo. Furthermore 1t is understood that
England's willingness to help Italy has in
directly had the approval of the Emperor
of Germany. On the other hand, it is said
that the khedive is far from pleased with
the English plans in upper Egypt and that