The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-15

ell. Never since the disaster that befell
the party in the recent general election
have their hopes OF the future been
higher. The conference viii be the larg-
est and the most representative that the
party has ever held. This in itself IS
good sign Of q revival OF interest.
ONLY RADICALS OPPOSE.
The Anglo-Egyptian expedition has the
uusunted approval of the Conservatives
and Liberal nionists. the hesiteting sup
port Of the Liberals, and the Aerce op-
position of tho Radicals. a statement
relative 10 the matter viii be made in
the House Of Commons on Monday by
the Right. Hon George Cufzon, Parlia-
mentary Secretary Of the Foreign Office.
and this will lead TO the warmcst debate
OF the session. which Will be followed by
every device Of obstruction. In cleaning
from official opinion, it is found that the
line OF defence Of the Government will be
q denial that the expedition aims az a
rec0nquest OF any part OF the Soudan and
a statement that the British troops will
be employed only TO guard the line while
the troops advance TO Cld DOngOla, max
ing their headquarters al III Ordeh New
DOngolaJ III Is stated this afternoon that
the Egyptian troops Will not 80 beyond
old Dcngola.
DEFENCE: NOT CONQUEST
Defence. not conquest. VIII be the SUBJ
stance OF tha G-yeIn4nent explanation.
Assurances Of this sort VIII deceive no
one. According 10 Cairo adyices. the
1860 Egyptian troops VINO VIII take part
in the expedition VIII begin 80 advance
Immediately. Part of them will march
along the Nile. while the others will pro-
coed ia lghl-draught steamers up the
river, which Is now so low that IN many
places camel traffic must largely be used.
lltll Marshal Lord Wolselcy and General
Kitchener 10 not seem 10 place much
trust in the Egyptian troops. 1t is not
expected that The Dervishes will make
stand at Ia Ordeh, but in case OF fight
ing the British troops viii be ready TO
support the Egyptians.
with Il view 10 giving this support a
railway VIII be constructed for 100 miles
southwark from Wadyhalfa, and river
steamers. armed with guns will be sta
toned between the point where
The railway VIII terminate and III Ordeh.
The Nile at this part Of its course is
uayigaDle Tor light-draught steamers for
the greater part of the way. The troops
IL the real designs OF the Government arv
carried out will advance in force up the
Nile in August next. A contingent of the
Indian army. chiefly Sikhs and GhOor-
gas, viii, IL is reported, DE likely to be
landed at Suakin 10 operate in coniunc-
ton with the Angio-Egyptian forces and
march TO Berbcr TheLondon papers have
arranged TO send special correspondents
with the expedition.
A BIG UNDERTAKING.
1t IS generally conceded that the cam
pagn viii be big undertaking, though
the Government Is reluctant TO disclose
frH whole eTH4ufa SfTnuff. p.,ttafr- r,.tst b.,
the D0ngOla expedition a Belglan Congo
free-State force, led by Baron Dhams,
VIII attack the Dervishes on the upper
Nile. Acting with the consent or the
British Foreign Office. Baron Dhanis has
recruited at Lagos $50 natives, VINO have
been drilled by British officers. These
natives. who are splendid lighters, and
who win so wherever they are led with
out fear OF danger. VIII Join the Belgian
and Congo Free state force. The Congo
State has chartered thirty steamers,
which viii convey the expedition as tar
as possible up the Congo river.
President Kruger. OF tho south Afri-
can Republic. told mis- latest interviewer.
the editor OF the South Africa. mat ne
would return 70 LONDON as soon as be
can arrange matters. The accredited or
gan oi tho Boer Government AT pretoria
opposes President kruger's acceptance OF
Colonial Secretary Chamberiains invi-
tation 10 visit London. 20 discuss the
Transvaal affairs.
.Th. English" says the Volks stein.
"haye a shredly accurate desire TO get
President Kruger 10 London m order 10
show the Transvaal is yassal state OF
OF Great Britain"
The journey Will humilate the Presi-
dent ard make him appear, not as a
h4
TransvaaI. but as the 1901 OF Downing
street. The fact IS that President Kruger
continues TO puzzle English offlcialdom.
While seeming 10 be all frankness ana
frlendliness. reliable advices report MIN 10
be secretly continuing hts elaborate pre-
uarations to arm the Iransvaal. IL IS q
matter Of the greatest uneasiness here
that small groups OF Germans, VINO are
understood 10 be veterans. are sysIemau-
callv imported into the TransvaaI. The
artillery strength OF the republic has
1 been greatly Increased, and hcre are
now a number OF retired German oricers
I attached 10 that hrancn OF the service
VrNFZfTELA BECE BOOK.
The Venezuela Blue Book. iesued last
week bv the Government. gets scant re-
e,acf "A, any side. 'rhe speaker says n
! canrof suppose that the Blue Book IS All
| that Great Britain intends 10 place be-
| fore the Washington commission. 1ne
| Government IL adds. has been served
| with lamentable inefiiciency. III the coun-
trv has TO put up with national humii-
latlon The blame will rest with the orficiaIs
| OF Downing street.
The 81. James Gazette says that the
| renly made IN the House OF Commons
| last night by Sir Richard Webster. the
| Attorney General, in response 10 a ques-
| tion asked by Sir T.. Il. Gourley, relative
| TO the alleged Interpretations In the Blue
| Book. does not yindicate the British case