Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-15
BRITAIN In EGYPT.
The Latest Development on the Line Of
Military Activity.
ADVANCE INTO THE sOUDAN.
The Objective Point to BE Berber
and Not DOng0la, 1t Is Saddle
fence and Not Conquest the Ex-
PLANTATION.
(Sneclal London ILefterO

the objective point Of the Anglo-EgyptiaE
expedition, mention of which was made
IN these dispatches this week, Is not
Dongola, but Berber. This opinion Is
based on the news received from Cairo.
1t has been learned that the plans Of the
expedition has been approved by Lord
Wolseley, the commander-in-chief of the
British army. The government Is Inter
ested in minimizing the importance OF the
enterprise, and 1t will doubtless, when
explaining the matter to the House OF
Commons, speak Of the expedition as an
Egyptian one, arising from the necessity
OF checking the projected advance Of the
Mahdists into Egypt. The same reason
for tho dispatch OF an expedition might
have been given at any time within the
last six months, as. according to current
reports, the Mahdists are concentrating
at Dongola, ready for an invasion Of
Egypt by way of Wady Halfa. Isolated
bands OF dervishes have actually made
sudden raids into the Wady Halfa Dis
trict, vanishing afterwards across the
desert.
The object Of the expedition is not the
protection of Egypt. but is to make
diversion in favor OF the Italians al
tured some time ago from the dervishes'
and which the latter are now said 10 De
beslegng. This II is Whlch caused inc
Cabinet to suddenly determine upon ope-
ratiOas which will involve conslderable
expenditures OF money and men. This
seems TO be the best possible line or ac-
ton to assist Italy without drawing upon
the British Treasury, whlie az the same
time il Viii shelve indefinitely the de-
rnands for the British evacuation OF
Egypt. ,,., III,
fall upon the Egyptian Treasury, when
is now in a condition to bear nnanclal
strain. The financial report issued yes
terday by Lord Cromer, the British Dlplo-
matte Agent in Egypt, shows tor 1870
revenue OF fl.OsSco0 In excess or the eX-
penditures. This Is a most strlklnB p pro-
Of the prosperity of the country under
British administration. France may pro-
test against the use Of this surplus LOT
war TO rcconquer the Soudan, bIt her
protest will be isolated. No other rover
than Great Britain need regard It, ana
no other Power will join in a protest
against the expedition.
General Kitchener, Sirdar of the Egyp-.
tian army. will command the expedition
which will consist chiefly of Egyptian
troons These, however, will be strength
ene5 by 200 British troops under Gen-rai
Henderson, staff-major Of the army OF
occupation. Reinforcements from MdIla
will keep the British garrisons in EGYPT
army will be commanded almost eXcIu-
sively by British officers. Fighting is Ger
tain. The Mahdi has large FORGE az
Dongola. and this VIII unqoupleulE oe
formidably increased before the expedition
has time to get within striking distance.
The Nile viii be the line of approach
against Dongola, which, after its cap
ture, viii become the base OF operdtloils
against Berber Grave fears are enter
tanned of the fighting qualities OF the
Egvptian army, and the expedition VIII
prove a severe test OF It's courage. III may
be attended by disaster.
The Anglo-Egyptian expedition has the
unstinted approval OF the conservatives
and Liberal Unionists, the hesltauhS sup
mort OF the Liberals. and the fierce oppo-
sition Of the Radicals. A statement reia-
tive to the matter VIII be maze IN ue
House OF Commons on MONDAY Dy the
Riaht Hon. George Curzon, parliamentary
Secretary Of the Foreign Otice, and TINS
will lead 10 the .warmest debate OF tne
session, which Will be followed by every
device of Obstruction. In Cleaning IRON
official opinion. il is found that. the line
of defence OF the government VIII be
denial that the expedition aims AT a re,
conquest OF any part OF me Soudah, anu
n statement that the British troops VIII
be employed only 10 guard the lire, while
the troops advance 10 old Dongoia
making their headquarters at ri OIdeh
(New DOngola). II Is stated TINS after
noon that the Egyptian troops Will not
20 beyond Old Dongola. Defence not
Conquest. will be the substance OF the
governments explanations. Assurances
Of this sort, however, will deceive no one.
PLAN OF EXPEDITION.
According to Cairo advices, The l2'0lO
Egyptian troops who will take part In
the expedition will begin 10 advance I'M
mediately. Part OF them will march
along the Nile, while the others VIII pro
coed in light-draught steamers up the
river. which Is now so low that in many
,Ia file must LARGELY he uSEU.
Field Marshal Lord Wolseley and Gene
raj Kitchener do not seem TO place much
trust in the Egyptian troops. II Is not
expected that the dervishes will make
stand AT III Ordeh, but, in case OF fight
ing the British troops VIII De ready 10
support the Egyptians. with view 10
giving this support, a railway VIII De
contributed for 100 miles southwark from
Wady Halfa and river steamers, armed
with guns, will be stationed betw IN the
point where the railway VIII terminate
and FL Ordeh. The Nile, at this part
of it's course, IS navigable for light
draught steamers for the greater part
of the way The troops. II the real de-
signs of the government are carried out,
win advance in force up the Nile in Au-
gust next. 49,
Sikhs and Ghoorkas, will, II IS reported,
be likely to be landed at Suakin to ope-
rate I'm conjunction with the Anglo
Egyptian forces and march to Berber
The London papers have arranged 10
send special correspondents with the ex-
petition.
In is generally conceded that the cam
paign will be big undertaking though
The government Is reluctant 10 disclose
the whole scheme.
simultaneously with the Dongola expe-
dition. a Belgian-Congo Free State force,
led bv Baron Dhanis, will attack the
deryishes on the upper Nile. Acting with
the consent Of the British Foreign once,
baron Dhanis has recruited at Lagos go
natives, who have been drilled by brush
officers These natives, VINO are splendld
fighters and who will go Wherever they
are led without fear OF dansSr, VIII JON
The Belgian and Congo Free State force.
The Congo State has chartered thirty
steamers. which will convey the expedltion
as far as possible up the Congo river
ANXIETY IN CAIRO.
LONDON, March IA dispatch from
Cairo to the Globe says that as the last
Of Ramadan will end on March 18th. II
Is probable that the dervishas VII AT DiiSe
thereafter advance northwards from DON
@ola 4 great deal Of anxiety is felt In
Cairo over the situation, and the military
authorities were In conference al gay
Yesterday for the purpose or considering
what steDs should be taken. .,
Raron de Courcel, French Ambassador
TO Great Britain, crossed the Chahhr
fron, Dover 10 Calais this forenoon, on
his yyay TO Paris, to report TO his govern
ment the result of a prolonged interview
which he had with Lord Salisbury last
evening 1t is believed that the conference
had especial reference to Egypt.
MINISTER TERRELL COMING HOME.