The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-15
FOR DEFENCE, NOT CONQUEST.
This Is Claimed 10 Be the Object Of The
AISlO-EsypiiaI Expedition.
FRANCE ALONE WILL ENTER PROTEST.
House of Commons Holds an All-Night
Session Discussing the Estimates of
Cost only Radicals Oppose the
Move-The Venezuelan Matter.

LONDON. March 1+.-Special London
Ietter.-lt is the opinion in highly-inrorm-
ed military circles that the objective point
of the Anglo-Egyptian expedition, men,
ton Of which WAS made IN these cis-
patches this week, Is not DongOla, but
Berber. This opinion Is based on me
news received from CAIRO. it has been
learned that the plans OF tho expedition
have been approved by Lord Wolseley.
the Commander-in-Chief OF the british
army The Government IS Interested ia
minimizing the importance OF the enter
prise, and 10 Will doubtless. when explain
ing the matter TO the House OF Commons.
speak OF the expedition as an Egypian
one arising from the necessity on check
ing the projected advance ot the NAH
dists into Egypt. The same reason Tor
the dispatch OF an expedition might
have been given az any time within t..s
last SIX months, as, according 20 current
reports. the Mahdists are concentrating
at Dongola, ready for an invasion OF
Egypt by way of Wadyhana.
RAIDS OF DEItNIsHEs.
Isolated bands OF Deryishes have ac-
tually made sudden raids into the Wady-
halfa district, vanishing afterwards
across the desert. The object OF the ox-
pedition is not the protection or Egypt
but is 10 make a diversion in favor oil
the Italians at kassaia, the city which
the Italians captured some time ago
from the Dcryishes, and which the lat
ter are now said TO be Desiegine Ihis,
il is which caused the Cabinet TO sud-
denly determine upon operations when
inn d
money and men. This seems 20 DE The
best possible line OF action 20 assist italy
without drawing upon the Briush Treas
ury while. at the same time. 1t vin
shelve indefinitely the demands lor the
British evacuation OF EGYPT.
The main cost OF the expedition Win
fall upon the Egyptian Treasury, which
Is now IN condition 10 bear "a inancial
strain. The financial report issued yes
terday by Lord Cr0mer, the British dlplo-
matte agent i'm Egypt, shows for 1890 a
revenue OF 10sS.oeo pounds in excess of
the expenditures. This is a most strk-
ing proof of the prosperity OF the coun-
try under British administration. france
may protest against the use OF TINS sur
plus for a war 10 reconquer the Soudan,
but her protest Will be Isolated.
GREAT BRITAIN ALONE.
No other power than Great Britain need
regard il, and no other power viii join
in a protest against the expedition. Gem
eral Kitchener. Sirdar OF the Egyptian
army. will command the expedition, which
will consist chiefly of Egyptian troops
These. however. will be strengthened by
1.2o0 British troops under General Hem
derson. staff major Of the army of ocCu-
patton. ReinfOrcements from Malta viii
keep the British garfisOus IN Egypt up 10
their present strength. The native army
viii be commanded almost exclusively by
British officers. Fighting is certain. The
Mahdi has large force at Dongola, and
this will undoubtedly be formidably H.
creased before the expedition has time
10 get within striking distance. The Nile
will be the line Of approach against Don.
COLA. which. after its capture, viii become
the base of operations against Berber
Grave fears are entertained OF the fight
ing Qualities of the Egyptian army and
the expedition will prove "a severe test Of
its courage. II may be attended by Us
aster.
ALL NIGHT SESSION.
The House of Commons sat through
out Thursday night and until 5:i5 oclocl,
Friday morning discussing the estimates.
II was the opening of the campaign OF OBJ
struction. the Irish members taking the
lead therein. The Conservative whips
kept enough members on hand TO MAIN
tain a majority. The Ministers took the
obstruction quietly.
What the Unionist paper do not cease
70 call the split in the Liberal party over
the reorganization question does not
threaten TO appreclably weaken the party.
some dozen Radicals desire q reform 10
the relations between the National Lib
eral Federation and the Central Liberal
Offce. both OF which have common
secretary, though the latter Is under the
control of the Liberal whips. The Lib
erals have generally admitted that the
relations between the two bodies need
readiustm.ent. 4 series Of resolutions
viii be submitted to the coming confer
ence OF the National Liberal Federation.
aiming to perfect the organization and
In give the party a thorough working CO.
besjon. At Il dinner given 10 Lord Rose
berry by the National Liberal Club on
Thursday night. the consensus OF opinion
was that these objects would be attain