The herald., 1896-06-08
The CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT
The Egyptian Troops Win Their
First Battle
THE DERVISHES SURPRISED
And Fierket Falls After a Very Stub.
born Defense
The Dervish Loss Is Heavy, and includes the
Death ef Emir Hammuda and
nany Chiefs
Associated Press Special Wire.

<AoSOSiotOo
FIERKET, Egypt, June This point
was taken by Egyptian troops at an
early hour this morning and their man
ner of acquitting themselves in this, the
first engagement of the Nile campaign,
has given great satisfaction to the Brit
ish officers in command of them. The
Egyptian forces left Akasheh last even
ing, June 6. The movement was a sur
prise, as it seemed to have been deter
mind to hold Akasheh as an outpost un-
til the season was passed, and the period
arrived for the advance upon Dongola
in the latter part of August or in Sep
tember. The force responded prompt
ly to orders. however, and was soon un-
der way for this point. The distance is
twenty miles and 1t took the whole night
to accomplish the march.
The greatest secrecy had been main
tained as to all the arrangements, and
precautions were taken to prevent the
news of the advance from leaking out.
The long night march was pursued in
absolute silence, in consequence of
which the arrival of the Egyptians at
the dervishes' camp took the enemy
completely by surprise. They quickly
rallied, however, and rushed to their
arms. Far from being routed in the
first skirmish of the attack, they stood
to their positions and made stubborn
defense of the camp for an hour and a
half. during which there was hard
fighting.
The dervishes were finally put to rout
by flank movement executed by the
cavalry Seeing themselves in danger
er of being surrounded, the forces of the
khalifa took flight to the southwark to-
ward Suarda, pursued by the cavalry.
Suarda is nearly 100 miles south Of here,
but Is strongly held by force of sew
eral thousand dervishes.
Reports received indicate that the loss
to the dervishes will amount to a thous-
and men. Among those killed is the
Emir Hammuda, who was their COM
mander. besides many important chiefs.
ftammuda was in command of the lar
gest force at Suarda. He was of the
tribe of Eabbania and was we'll known
to Siatin Pasha while the latter was a
captive OF the khaiifa in the Soudan.
Siatln Pasha was great favorite with
the kalifa, who promoted him to the
rank or emir because he left his own
trioe When the insurrection first broke
out to serve the khalifa personally.
1t is believed the taking of Fierket
was decided upon, owing to the double
strength of Akasheh as an outpost sur
| rounded as 1t Is, by low hills the taking
| OF which would make Akasaheh a death
trap. The finishing of the railroad line
from Arras has been rapidly pushed
since the expedition was decided upon.
by extending it to Fierket the worst
cataract will be turned and early ad-
vantage can thus be taken of the rise
in the Nile at the end of July, for water
transportation to Dongola.
The officers In command of the Egyp-
tian force express great qualification at
the conduct in this mornings fight Of
the Egyptians about whom some doubts
have been felt, and the Soudanese, who
have been depended on for good fight
ing. They displayed great steadiness
and dash. The Egyptian loss in the
fight was twenty killed and eighty
wounded. Hundreds of Dervishes were
taken prisoners. III
AN ITALIAN CRISIS
LONDON, June IA correspondent
of the Times at Rome says the Italian
ministry is in very rough water, owing
to the publication on the green book on
Abyssinia, which relates communica-
tions from Great Britain regarding the
Soudan expedition, containing inforrna-
tion which the opposition in the British
parliament complain that Lord Sails
bury refused to communicate, and the
publication of which was criticised by
Mr.. Balfour in parliament.
The Times Rome correspondent says
there is widespread apprehension that
cabinet crisis is inevitable.
THE NEGUS OFFERS AID.
SUAKIM, June There is a report
here that the Negus Menelik of Abys-
sinia has offered to aid the Khalifa Alb
dullah, the leader of the Dervishes,
against the friends of Italy.