The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-15
England Has Decided to Re-
conquer the Soudan.
ORDERS GIVEN TO THE TROOPS
Utter Destruction Of the Empire of
the Nahdi Contemplated.
Success Will Givo England the Whole
Nile River and Make 1t Possible to
Travel From Suez TO the Cape Of
Good Hope Through British Terri
tory-rhe Mohammedans Eager for
. Fight.

Cairo. March 1.-THE BritIsh-Egypiian
troops under orders to proceed up the Nile
IN the direction OF Dongoia Will consist Of
500 men All win carry arms
London. March H.-There 8 much re-
ooicfng In the British army at the pros
pect of a campaign in the Soudan. in spite
Of their experiences with the fierce. tire
less troops of the Mahdi and the recent
defeat of the Italians by the Abyssin.ans.
That a British Egyptian advance on the
Nile from Wady Halfa TO Dongola has
oeen determined upon Is no longer in doubt.
All the British officers of the Egyptian
oe1n ordered to return TO their posts im-
nseiiateiy.
dispatch from Cairo announces that the
Conaaugnt Rangers have already been or
dered to Wady Halfa. The proposed CAM
pAsgn has been impending for a year past.
although II Was undoubtedly precip.tated
by the crushing defeat OF Gen. Baratieri
at Adowa. which, II is believed. must have
depressing effect upon the prestige Of
European arms. and may consequently
lead to an advance northward OF the Der
wishes. But the real reason for the cam
raign now being prepared at the British
war Office may be found In the fact that
Egypt will never be secure from attack
and disaster so long as the Mahdi's power
Ok Kassala may be the outward cause OF
the British advance. the possession OF the
fertile regions about Dongoia, which fur
n.shed most OF the supplies to the khalifa.
IS what Great Britain is really after. and
there Is little doubt that an attempt 10
capture the Mahdist stronghold, Omdur-
man, will follow.
The plan OF the campaign. as submitted
at the cabinet meeting yesterday. is that
five black infantry battsiions. seven Egyp-
tian battalicns and large force OF arti,-
lery and cavalry, with about 100 British
officers. will compose the expedit.onary
fsrce. The same route that was taken in
lisa will be followed. but owing TO the low
water In the Nile at this season. the
transport of ammunition and supplies must
be by camels. OF which very large num-
Der will be required. 1t is proposed to re-
conquer the Souian province by province.
Dongola will be first taken. and then
great deal will depend upon circumstances.
While the campaign is Endorsed by the
Unionists. the Liberal and Radical press
loudly protest against 1t.
A dispatch to the Globe from Cairo. pub
iished this afternoon, says that the fast
Of Radsnan ends tomorrow. and that J. 70
thought the Dervishes VIII al once cause
trouble and march northward. The dis
patch adds that much anxiety is felt in offf-
cial circles. ana that the military authori-
ties have been in consultation all day.
The English war against the Mohamme-
dan Dervishes has nothing to do with the
Italian war against the Abyssinians. who
are uominally Christians. The Egyptian
Soudan was formerly portion Of Egypt.
but for more than ten years has been ruled
by the Mahdi and his successor, the Khal-
ifa. II lies south OF Egypt. Gen. Gordon.
British governor of the Egyptian Soudan.
was killed January 20, 1885, when his cap
ital. khartoum. was taken. The British
Sfterward took Khartoum. but the Man.
disfs were so powerful that the Egyptian
Soudan was evacuated. Since then the
English have left the Mahdists alone.
They were great fighters, and Rudyard
Kipiing pays tribute to them In his an
Fuzzy Wuzzy" About year ago Slatin
Bey. one OF Gen Gordon's officers. es-
capped from the khalifa's capital. Onldur-
man. across the river from khartourn.
bringing news that the Mahdist empire
was on the verge OF collapse. the soldiers
diseased the khalifa no longer respected.
England has been for long time planning
an expedition TO reconquer the Egyptian
Soudan Tho recent victories of the Abs
slnians over the Italians has rckindled the
military zeal OF the Mahdists. and they
have invaded Egypt. After the English
conquer the Egyptian Soudan. as they un-
doubtediy will. they Will control the whole
length of the Nile river. and will own
territory from the Cape OF Good Hope 10
the Mediterranean. Following Is part Of
Slatln Beys story: In the middle Of
Africa lies the former Egyptian Soudan.
now under the rule of the Caiiph Abdl!lah.
the despotic head of the Mahdists. No
European can venture to cross the limits
Of this land. cut off from civilization. cx-
tending in the south along the Nile TO Beg
l. 10
WaaaL Death or lifelong captivity would
be his lot.
'tyet IS only within the short period OF
ten years that the land has been subjected
10 this miserable fate. For more than six
~ wears since the time Of Nohammed ali.
X remained under the rule Of Egypt. and
was open TO civilization. In the chief
towns were found Egyptian and European
merchants. In kharfoUm itself the foreign
powers had their representatives. Travel
ers of all nations could pass through
the land unharned. and found protection
and help through these representatives.
Tsiegraphs and regular postal service IA
cgiitatsd intellectual intercourse with the
most distant countries. Mohammedan
mosques, Christian churches and mission
schools looked after the religious and
moral education Of the young. The land
WAS Inhabited BY the most diverse tribes,
mary of which lived Ia hostility With one
another but were compelled. by the sever
itv Of the government. - keep the peace.
Discomfort no doao, prevailed in tha
land Its cause was 20 be sought In the
ayar{c. Of the officials especially Of the
raflgn SaudAneSe. who lRtteriv had ac-
gusrs.l high position. and by their oppre<-
sion ard tyranny enriched themselves as
quickly as possible. and also in the ignor-
ance Of the country on the part Of the
Europeans, who. often with the best in
,enttons. issued orders directly contrary TO
the traditions and views OF the SoudAnese.
which could not bat excite ul- will
-'Nohamraea Akmed knew ami took ar
VANTAGE of the mood q the eanatry. Well
knowing that only reliE~ss factor could
unite the hostile tribes. r. maintained
tAat hs Was the Essdi sent hy God the
1elfverer Of the country fron = foreign
woke the regeneration q religion IL
,-cxizez ske tribes 10 war AGAINST the gov
ernraent. promised his sahersniS. in case
q death. the everlasting toys - heaven a,
case o. victory. foar-hfthS ol the boot, -
tAs survivors Thus were fana;icssra ana
sxarses. the Two ehsef qualities % tbe So
aAnese, awakened. The spark grew 70 a
srsxhs fAras Nistory after victory Vas
gained ny the insurgents. Kpraafsn fa1
into their hands The army sant under
Hsczz fer recouQucst vas nlaiIAs..l ana
wAs compelled. after long ard ,sin
struggles, to surrsnGer- The inSu-sa-.s
marched on khzFtsun. On srrivir- ~
fha ne&xhbarhocsa ~ that town I 80
chains pat around nav nsek and feef Sir.-.
I Was suspected q Being a1xiogs 90 max.
rsy escape and tcin Gsea- Gordon. TIE
town VAS aesteEe9- TIE personal va5a-
ard energy ct lsSa. Gordon Ncre sns-. -