The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-25
RESULT OF THECOUNCIL
Turks Have Issued an Appeal to
France and Russia.
Action of the Porte Due to Influence of
the Two Countries Named.

CoNsrANTINoPLE, March %. AS re-
suit 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 regu-
lating the affairs OF Egypt. Germany, 1t
Is added, was also requested by the Porte
to exercise her good offices in this re-
spect. instructions were dispatched to
the Turkish ambassador at London to
make representations to the Marquis OF
Salisbury, but their tenor Is not known.
In well-informed circles, 1t Is declared
that the action of the Porte is due to the
counsels of France and Russia, the gov
ernments of which countries, Ii is claim
ed, having submitted that the present Is an
opportune moment for Turkey to raise
the question Of her suzerainty over Egypt
icing practically usurped by Great Brit
ain. There is no doubt that considerab BILE
annoyance Is felt at the palace by the
Porte at the fact that Turkey was not
consulted in regard to the advisability OF
dispatching a British-Egyptian expedi-
tion up the Nile and the feeling Of irrita-
tion has been increased by the khedive
also ignoring the Porte entirely.
Reproaches have, in consequences, been
addressed to the Ottoman commissioners
In Egypt for not taking steps TO prevent
the organization of the expedition as IL
is feared that the effects of the advance
up the Mile will 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 Babel
Mandeb), may be encouraged to fresh hos
tility to the Turkish authorities.
In diplomatic circles, IL is not believed
that the steps taken by the Porte to pro-
test against the expedition to DoDgola
Will have anything more than moral
effect, and, though IT is admitted that
France and Russia will refuse their con-
sent to the use of the Egyptian reserve
fund, is generally understood that moth
ing short of the armed interference OF
France and Russia will prevent Great
Britain from pushing the soudan cam
paisn. Indeed, there are people who
believe that the prospect of the Porte in
behalf of appealing to France. Russia and
Germany to intervene will have an effect
in Great Britain contrary to the one
hoped for. 1t is known tnat no great en-
thusiasm exists in England over
the prospects Of another bloody
and expensive campaign in the
Soudan. But the appeal Of Turkey TO the
intervention may arouse the lingo spirit
OF the British isle, furnish the Marquis
OF Salisbury's advisers with the very spir-
ii now lacking, and so the Sultan may
play cleanly into the hands of he Brit
ish statesmen while desiring to do the
reverse. This is one light in which the
Porte's appeals are looked upon here, and
the more this view of the case is cons i'd
cred, the more plausible, IL is assert ed, it
becomes, orpromiuentEnglishm OF both
parties have already declared themselves
against the proposed Soudan campaign
and the expedition might have been al
lowed TO flicker out after the occupation
of Akaskh. Now, however, the British
may be spurred. to push onward to khar-
toum as there is a great difference, 1t is
Iointed out, in graceful back down in
face OF popular opinion in Great Britain
and a humiliating back down in the face
of the adverse representations of France
and Russia.
II is true, It is argued, tha there are
only about five thousand purely British
troops in Egypt, but, 1t Is added, the
number could be completely and largely
increased by drafts from India and Great
Britain and the talk of driving the Brit
ish out OF Egypt, as suggested by the
more fiery of theFrench newspapers, mig ht
be more difficult than calculated upon.
In any case, 1t Is reported here the
ostensible object of the Nile expedition
is to be accomplished, namely, creating a
diversion which will relieve Kassals, and
there is no time to be lost. The distance
from Wady-Halfa, the southern boundary
of Egypt, to Dongola, is about 800 miles.
Bus the route is a most arduous one, even
for the black troops OF Egypt, and is
espec ally at this period on account of low
water OF the Nile, necessitatIng the en-
ployment of immense hunters OF camels
for transportation and the possible
eventual building of a light railroad.
Then, admitting that Dongola is reached
without serions reverses, which is not by
any means certain, that place is not likely
to capitulate upon simple summons.
A long seige may be necessary, and the
10000 to $4,000 men the Mahdi may
muster there, possibly under Osman
Dignn, are liable TO prove more than a
match for the 10000 British Egyptian
troops which will reach Dongola worn out
otter most wearisome march from Wady-
Halfa, railroad or no railroad TO assist
them. Then, even with Dongola fallen,
Kassala Is not necessarily relieved, and
the capture of the latter place by the der
wishes would threaten Suakim and Tokar.
The possession of Donogla, 1t Is ex.
planned, is necessary in order to defend
Egypt against dervishes. 1t consists Of a
fortified town and district of the same