The herald., 1896-03-22
IN THE QUEENS DOM|N|ONS
COMPLICATIONS GROWING OUT OF THE
PROPOSED S0UDAN CAMPAIGN
France Desires an Opportunity to Climb Down
The Mahdis are Ferocious and Skilifui
Fighters and Their Reduction viii Not
be Q Picnic
Associated Press spscis, wire,

French government, it is asserted, OK.
pected the cooperation of Germany, but
found she had been anticipated by Great
Britain, as the marquis of Salisbury as
sured himself that he had the support of
Emperor William in the matter, and the
latter is said to have informed the British
premier that Great Britain could rely upon
the support of Germany and Austria if she
aided Italy. The marquis OF Salisbury, 1t
appears, had not consulted with the Congo
Free State authorities before announcing
HE governments decision. France conse-
ouently found herself confronted with a
plan fully prearranged, and, it is stated,
she NOW shows disposition to 'climb
down" from the attitude she assumed
when the government Issued its note of
Wednesday last. saying that the proposed
advance up the Nile was a great surprise to
the government of France, and would
serve to embitter the anti-English feeling
in that country at time when . better
that Great Britain's explanation that the
advance is necessary to the interest
Of Egypt is viewed with sarcasm in France.
The wording of this note 10 now saddled on
the premier, M. Bourgeois. who, 1t is as.
serted, issued it without consulting the
rest of the ministers. The opposition in
France to the use OF the Egyptian reserve
fund to defray the expenses of the expedi-
ton does not avail, for, as the British
under-secretary of state for foreign affairs,
Mr.. Curzcn, expressed in the house of
commons yesterday, there are two funds
controlled by the Egyptian debt commits
sion. One Of these, the larger fund, is
derived from conversion of the Egyptian
debt. and it requires the unanimous con-
sent of the powers to authorize the expen-
diture of the whole or any part of 1t. But
the second reserve fund. amounting to
about $l2 100000. can be used with the
consent of q majority Of the committee,
md a n frRIt rSPf IN
committee on her side, even If France and
Russia refuse their consent, for the ap-
proval of Germany, Austria and Italy to
the use of the reserve fund has already
been obtained.
Then again, French newspapers argue
that Egypt has no right to repel the der
wishes, taking the ground that if she does
SO they will be driven south and may dis
turb the French, Belgian and German pos
sessions in Central Africa Such an argu-
ment, naturally. does not carry much
weight here, and the British newspapers
retort that everybody must protect him
self.
In spite of the bold front put upon the
matter here, there is no denying that there
il feeling IN Great Britain that the Nile
expedition is likely to turn out to be some
thing in the nature of disturbing hornets
nest. and the support of Italy, in case mat
ters assume serious aspect. is problem
atical.
A Russian traveller, Ezliffe. who is thor
oughly familiar with the situation, esti-
mates that the forces at the disposal of the
Mahdi number about 100000 men, OF
whom 10000 are beggars, all trained and
disciplined. The Mahdi is said to have
100000 rifles, but it is said they are as q
rule Of obsolete character, and that only
10000 Remingtons, which form part of
his store of arms, are serviceable. So far
as artillery is concerned, it is not believed
=. ttn,, tt,<
the occasion of the defeat of Hicks Pasha,
but it is intimated that. like King Menelik
of Abyssinia, the Mahdi has been secretly
purchasing arms and ammunition for
some time past, and it may be found that
his troops are quite as we'll armed as those
OF the Negus and that the capture of the
Soudan will not be accomplished without
the expenditure of much blood and treas
uro, and that tho end will not be attained
without drawing largely upon the British
Indian troops, AS we'll as upon the
British troops now in England. In
into the more serious the outlook
appears, and anything in thesshape of
a picnic or walkover need not be antici-
pated. The Mahds, as il we'll known, can
fight with terrible determination. skill and
ferocity, and they can endure hardships
beneath which the best European troops
would speedily succumb. The Mahdi's
chief lieutenauts are Cheruf and Vahldie-
sEow. Tie Khalifa's flag is black, Cheruf's
is green, indicating that he is direct de.
scendant of the Prophet Mahomet, and
Vahi6ieshow's Is red.
Much interest is manifested in legal and
other circles in the bill introduced at the
Instance Of the lord chancellor by Lord Sal
sbury, for the suppression of indecent evil
tence. This measure was read for the
econd time in the house of lords yester-
lay. BY its provisions a. judge is empowered
order evidence which he thinks will be
Tejudicial to the public morals not to be
published.
The lord chief justice, Baron Russell of
Allloween, is known to be opposed to the
bill, and it Is quoted the master of the rolls,
Baron Esher, president of the divorce
court, is of the opinion that the law is al
ready strong enough and if the proposed
measure becomes law it will practically
establish censorship Of the press.
Lord Glenesk, proprietor of the Morning
Post, contended that the tendency of the
press was quite against the publication of
such details and asserted that he had read
more offensive things in recent novels than
had ever been found in the newspap ,rs.
Although the bill had been read for the
second tinie in the house of lords, it is
doubtful it 1t will be adopted by the house
of commons.
The Field continues it's opposition to the
presence OF Yale crew at the Henley re-
4Dt.ess @AAN PAAtt q AottSE utkluR ttl9 InOBC
stringent inquiry into the amateur stand
Ing of the members of that crew who in
tend to take part in the races at henley,
"without being desired to do SOL as the
writer says, and suggesting the passage of
a rule excluding all foreign crews from
participation In the annual regatta at Hem
ley.
Another letter to the Field contends that
raising money by public subscription, as
has been done in the United States, preiu-
dices the status of the members Of the Yale
crew as amateurs.
MIR. Richard Croker's horses have not
been doing we'll in training, and they have
been scratched for the events for which
they were entered for the Lincoln CUP.
United States Ambassador Bayard re-
fused to see newspaper men today, declar-
inx he had nothing to say on the subject of
his censure by the house of Representa-.
tives. He mailed several long dispatches
to Secretary Olney. The ambassador has
arranged to leave town this afternoon, &C.
companied by Mrs. Bayard, ON q visit to
Lord Amherst at Seven Oaks.
Regarding the direct negotiations on the
venezuelan question, said to be in pro-
gress, 1t 10 stated the governments are ell
oeevorlng to ascertain the exact legal
denniuon OF settlers right apart from the
claims OF mere squatters.
A Satisfactory Trial
PHILADELPHIA, March 21.-The big bat
; aeship Massachusetts has had her prelim-