The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-03-22
By the English and Another Attempt viii
Be Made by Them to Recopquer It.
EXPEDITION PROTECTED LAST AUTUMN.
Ihe Dale OF the Campaign Was No
Then Fixed. But General ISitch.
enor Made No Secret of the Fact
Tint Some Big scheme Was Beiny
Hatched Light DRAFT vessels Built
Especial London Letter.)


London, March 2l.-Last night'a de-
bate In the House of Commons added
nothing to the, meagre information that
me Government deems it prudent to re-
veal regarding the expedition that is to
go to DonGola, and perhaps further in
an attempt to reconuuer the Soudan.
The statement made by the Right Hon.
Joseph Chamberlain. Secretary of State
1of the Colonies. that the advance Of the
expedition would be regulated by the
extent of the resistance offered by the
DerVishes seemed either designed 10 be-
los the House or to convey the idea that
the Government had no definite plan
or campaign. What the Ministers re-
iuSe 10 disclose can be found by COL
lstlng the reports from relia BILE SOU: ces
me sensational rumors with which the
Srltlsh press is unusually rife. deal with
the expedition as q sudden decision of
the Government. the fact that II was
10 be dispatched being unknown even
10 the khedive. They describe the for
WaTa movement Of the troops as being
ALREADY commenced in Bulk and state
lhat AkaSheh has been occupied, that
liEhtinS is imminent and that Dongola
VIII be reached in a week when ten
thousand Dervtshes will race the Eg,-p-
lian forces. The facts are that the en-
ptdllon was projected last autumn.
When General Kitchener. the SirClar OF
tne Egyptian army. was in England.
lie then bought the materials necessary
20 complete the railway from Wa6y
ilalta 10 Akasheh. ordered n numbe,. of
HEht draughi steamers built TO carry
5'ern nfe guns. and got the assent Of
Lord salisbury 10. the preparations,
Though the date of the campaign was
not thcn fixed, General Kitchener made
no secret of the fact that some big
scheme was being hatchco.
Speaking at bennington Wednesday,
al tai L.. l.
sonai Knowledge that the expedition had
ionE been decided upon. hut thai /,
had been postponed because il was
thought ineXped!cnt. This was the view
taken OF the matter until the defeat OF
me italians n Adowah afforded the
government an opportunc excuse for
I'M dihltSh OF the eNDelition lie
added that according to the plan ori-
Elnally decided upon. General Kitchen
ers INST objective was to be DonyGla
ana then li2rhcr. with a simultaneous
advance from SElkim. on the Red Sea
y railway was 10 be built 10 link Don
Soia and Bcrb5r bcfC!e a march was
made upon khartoum Tael- was no
reason 10 suppose that this plan had
heen altered. but il was probable that
Ii would dcve!Ope more slowly than
some OF the Cairo tcls grams Indicated
According to the Times Dni, COLA NAV
ne reached III three or four weeks The
military authorities n Cairo, however
ciiicu!ale that that place will not be
reached before Junn The van of tn i.
Egyptian troops. consisting OF 200 men
OF which number 500 are calvary. Ought
10 occupy AkonSheh by to-day They
are moi expected 10 get in touch with
the ferNis!es thSrc. Tn Will rerla in
Mt Akasheh until by ceconnoit ring they
learn the strength Of the Dcrvishes out
posts at F.Tka and are likely to remain
un:tl the Akashch railway is cu,npIetcd
me main Egyptian force is now put
al len thousand men. of whom 4 900
Will be Soudanase. who are real fighters
They VIII not reach the fc.si line of
advance before the end of April The
mMch upon Doneola will depend upon
The strength Of the Dcrvishes. who are
cotcentra'cd there. Doubtful reports
place their number AT ten thousand
Col. Calmont. who commanded the
Camel Corps in the Khartou.n expedi-
non. says that the troops ought not, in
the meantime. To push forward beyond
Akasheh and that it is now too late for
spring compaiSn in the desert even
for black troops. The Italian and Tur-
kish military attaches will accompany
General Kitchener.
The position OF the British Govern
mcnt Is easier under official news from
Paris that France will either not on
pose the first credit for ;,00. 900 pounds
from the Egyptian funds for the ex-
u,
continc her opposition to IL formal pro-
test against the use of the money for
this purpose. Russia will remain strict
~ neutral and will give no support to
France as against the expedition Rus
sia Is c"cn credited with viewing the
British project With some measure OF
good will. as being likely To divert the
whole energies Of Great Britain I'm a
direction where Russian interests are
not likely Ia be greatly concerned NJ
Rerthclot. the French Minister OF For
eign Affairs, clearly recognizes. though
the French people do not. that France
is powerlcss to make an effective oppo-
sition. Russia has no vote in tie com
mission of the Egyptian debt, while
Great Britain holds two votes France
and Austria. Italy ana Germany one
each.
y difference Of opinion exists as to
whether the statutes relating TO the com
mission requires unanimous or ma
1ot!iy vote. rntably The grant Of $50 600
pounds fG: the abolition Of the Corvce
nj which time France protested against
me grant Al any rate. NJ. Bcrthelot.
feeling himself pnwcrle;s TO proven. The
expedition. has beaten retreat,
The War Once officials here declare
that the expedition Will be only recon
e:a!ssance in force. and Will not admit
"A hn