New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-15
TO ATTACK THE DERVISHES.
AN ENGLISH EXPEDITION ORDERED TO
PROCEED FROM CAIRO.
THE REAL OBJECT SAID TO BE A DIVERSION IN
FAVOR OF THE ITALIANS BEsIEGED
AT KAssALA-HARD FIGHT
ING EXPECTED.

Cairo, March A-Orders have been given to
advance Dongoa without delay. The North
Stafford Regiment has been ordered to proceed
to Wadi Halfa. and black Egyptian BATTALION
Is also about to start for that place.
London. March 14-A dispatch from Cairo to
THE Globe" says that as the fast OF Ramadan
Will end on March 10 1t is probable that the Der
wishes will Immediately thereafter advance
northward from Dongola. Great anxiety Is felt
In Cairo over the situation, and the military au-
thorities were in conference all day yesterday
considering what steps should be taken
Baron de Courcel. French Ambassador to Great
Britain. crossed the Channel from Dover TO
Calais this forenoon on his way to Paris to report
to his Government the result OF prolonged In
terview which nc had with Lord Salisbury last
evening. 1t Is believed that the conference mad
especial reference to Egypt
IL Is the opinion In we-informed military cir
cles that the objective point Of the Anglo-Egyp-
tIan expedition is not Dongola. but Berber. This
opinion Is based on the news received from Cairo
1t has been learned that the plans Of the expe-
dtion have been approved by Lord Wolseley,
the mander In chief of the British Army.
The Government is interested In minimizing the
Importance Of the enterprise, and 1t Will doubt
less. when explaining the matter to the House
OF Commons. speak Of the expedition as an Egyp-
tian one, arising from the necessity OF checKins
the projected advance Of the Mahdists INTO
ERypt The same reason for the dispatch OF an
expedition might have been given at any time
within the last six months as. according to cur
rent reports the Mahdlsts are concentrating at
Dongola. ready for an invasion Of Egypt by way
OF Wadi Halfa. Isolated bands OF dervishes have
actually made sudden raids into the Wadi Halfa
district vanishing afterward across the desert
PLAYING A DOUBLE GAME
The object OF the expedition is not the pro-
lection OF Egypt. but to make a diversion in
favor of the Italians at Kassala. the city which
the Italians captured some time ago from the
Dervishes and which the latter are now said
to be beseglng. This It is which caused the
Cabinet suddenly to determn, on operations
which Will involve considerable expenditure
OF money and men. This seems to be the best
possible line OF action TO assist Italy without
drawing on the British treasury. while at the
same time It will sheve indefinitely the de-
mands for the British evacuation OF Egypt.
The principal cost OF the expedition Will fall
on the Egyptian treasury. which is now In
condition TO bear n financial strain. The hnan-
cIal report issued yesterday by Lord Cromer.
the British Diplomatic Agent In Egypt. shows
for 1895 a revenue OF fl.Oss.ooo in excess OF the
expenditures This Is a most striking PROOF OF
the prosperity OF the country under British ad-
minis,ration. France may protest agains, the
use ~ this surplus for n war TO reconquer
the Soudan. but her protest VIII be Isolated
No Other Pov.r than G-eat Britain need re-
sxrd IL and no other power Will join In
protest against the expedition.
General Kitchener Slrdar OF the Egyptian
army. Will command the expedition. which VIII
consist chiefly OF Egyptian troops These. now
ever. will be strengthened BY 1900 British troops
under General Henderson. stnr major Of the
army Of occupation. Relnforcements from
Malta will keep the British garrisons In Egypt
up 10 their present strength. Tie native army
will be commanded almost exclusively by BRIT
ish officers. Fighting Is certain. Inc MANU-
has a large force at Dongola and this VIII un-
doubtedly be formidably Increased before the
expedition has time 10 get within strikihg dis-
tance. The Nile Will be the line OF approach
against Dongola. which, after its capture VIII
become the base OF operations against berper'
Grave fears are entertained OF the nghtins quail
ties OF the Egyptian army. and the expedltioh
will prove a severe test OF Its courage. III may
be attended by disaster.
LIVELY TINES AHEAD IN THE COMMONS
The anglo Egyptian expedition has the strong
approval OF the Conservatives and Liberal-Unoh-
lists. the hesitatng support Of the Liberals ana
the fierce opposition OF the Radicals. A state
ment relative TO the matter will be made in the
House Of Commons on Monday night by the
Right Hon. George y. Curzon. Parliamentary
Secretary Of the Foreign Office, and this VIII lead
to the warn.est debate OF the session. when Will
be followed by every device OF obstruction III
cleaning from official opinion 1t Is found that the
lire OF defence OF the Government VIII be a de-
NAL that the expedition aims at a reconquest OF
any part OF the Soudan. and statement, that the
British troops will only be employed 10 guaru
the linz to Wadi Hafa. while the Egyptian troops
advance to Old Dongola, making their head,
quarters at FL Ordeh (New Dongola). II Is SAID
this afternoon that the Egyptian troops VIII no'
go beyond Old Dongola. Defence not conquest
will be the substance OF the Governments eA-
plantations. but assurances Of this sort Will de-
ceive nobody.
According to Cairo advices, the 1900 Egyptian
troops to take part In the expedition VIII begin
to advance Immediately Part or them VIII
march along the Nile while the others VIII pro-
ceed in light-draught steamers up the rive
which Is row so low that In many places Gamer
transport must be largely used. Field Marshal
Wolseley and General Kitchener do not seem 10
place much trust In the Egyptian troops IL -
not expected that the dervishes VIII make stahu
at III Ordeh but II there Is lighting the British
troops Will be ready to support the Egyptians;
With view to giving this support railway VIII
be constructed 100 miles southwark from Waui
Halfa and river steamers. armed with guns VIII
be stationed between the railway terminus ana
FL Ordeh. The Nile at this part OF Its course ~
navgable for light t-draught steamers for the
greater part Of the year. The BRUSH troops II
the real designs OF the Government are carried
out VIII advance In force up the ME- III Ausust,
contingent OF the Indian Army. chiefly Skins
and Ghoorkas Will, II II reported. be likely 10 DE
landed at Suakim to operate with the Anglo
Egyptian forces and march to Berber The Lon
don papers have arranged to send special corre-
spondents with the expedition.
A BELGIAN FORCE TO COOPERATE
1t is generally conceded that the campaign will
be big undertaking although the Government -
reluctant to disclose the whole scheme Simul-
taneousy with the Dongola expedition. a Bel
gian- Congo Free state force led by Baron
Dhanis Will attack the Dervlshes on the Upper
Nile. Acting with the consent OF the British
Foreign Office. Baron Dhanis has recruited at
Lagos $50 Uoussas who have been drilled by
British officers These natives who are splendid
fighters and who will 20 wherever they are led