The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-26
ACTION OF THE PORTE.
Appeal to Russia md France for In
tervcntfOn I'm Egyptian Affairs.

CONSTANTINOPLE, March Gas a re-
suit of the extraordinary Cabinet council
which lasted throughout Saturday, the Turk
ish government has issued appeal, ad-
dressed to France and Russia, asking them
to intervene with the object of regulating the
affairs of Egypt. Germany, it is added, was
also requested by the Porte to exercise her
good offices in this sense Instructions were
also dispatched to the Turkish ambassador
at London to make representations to the
Marquis of Salisbury, but their tenor is not
known.
In weIl-informed circles it is declared that
the action of the Porte is due to the coun-
sells of France and Russia. the governments
of which countries, 1t is claimed, have SUBJ
mitted that the present is an opportune mo-
ment for Turkey to raise the question of her
suzerainty over Egypt being practically
usurped by Great Britain. The governments
indicated, it is alleged, promised Turkey
their support in the matter. There Is no
doubt that considerable annoyance is felt by
the Porte at the fact that Turkey was not
consulted in regard TO the advisability of dis
patching British-Egyptian expedition up
the Nile and the feeling of irritation has
been increased by the Khedive also ignoring
the Porte entirely Reproaches have, in con-
sequence, been addressed to the Ottoman
commissioners in Egypt for not taking steps
TO prevent the organization of the expedi-
tlOn, IL Is reared tnat the e1IectS OF the
advance up the Nile will be felt elsewhere
than on the frontiers or Egypt, and that the
Arabs OF Yemen (the principal division OF
ARABIA djaeent TO the STRAIT of Bah III
Mandeb) may be encouraged TO fresh hos
tiiity to the Turkish authorities.
In diplomatic circles mere IL is believed that
the steps taken by the Porte against the ex-
pedition to Dongola will not have more than
moral effect, and, though 1t is admitted
that France and Russia will refuse their
consent to the use or the Egyptian reserve
fund, ii is generally UNDERSTOOD that nothing
short Of the armed interference Of those two
nations Will. prevent Great Britain from
pushing the Soudan campaign. Indeed, there
are people who believe that the appeal of the
Porte TO France, Russia and Germany to
ain contrary to the one hoped for. While
1t is known that no great enthusiasm exists
in England over the prospects OF another
bloody and expensive campaign in the Sou
dan, the appeal of Turkey to the recognized
enemies of Great Britain for intervention
may arouse the war spirit of the British
hands aa of Brsh sri ax While h aiming i to
do the reverse. The more this view of the
case is considered the more plausible it is
glshmen of both parties have already de-
clared themselves against the proposed Sou
dan eamPaign. @ ana d c hs exped,on @ fta I'M msnt M
cupation OF Akashen. Now, however, the
British may be spurred to push onward to
kndrtOum, as tnere Is q great uiuefence, IL
is pointed out. between graceful backdown
in face Of popular opinion in Great Britain
and humiliating retreat in the face of the
adverse representations of France and Rus
sia 1t is true, it is argued, that there are
only about five thousand purely British
troops in Egypt, boi this number could be
from India and Great Britain and the task
| of driving "the British out OF Egypt as
| suggested by the more fiery French news
| papers. might be. more difficult than cal
| Culated upon by them.
| If the ostensible object OF the Anglo
Egyptian Nile expedition is to be accom-
! will relieve. Kassala it must be done speed
| lily. The distance from Wady-Halfa, the
southern boundary OF Egypt. to Dongola is
| is most arduous one. even for the black
| troops Of Egypt, and especially so at this
e Of the empovee OF OF tae
| immense number OF camels for transporta-
| tioD and the possible building of a light rail-
| ed without serious reverses, which is by no
means certain, that place Is not likely 10
| capitulate on simple summons. A long siege
may be necessary. and the 10000 TO 600 men
| the Mahdi may muster there. possibly under
Osman Digna. may prove more than match
| will reach Dongola after most wearisome
march from Wady-Halfa. Then even with
| Dongola fallen. Kassala Is not necessarily
by the Dervishes would threaten ten snakmp M p,aoJ and
| Tokar. The possession of Dongola Ii is ex-
/ planned. is necessary In order to defend
Egypt against DervIsh raids. 1t consists OF
| a fortified town in a district OF the same
name. Locally the place Is known FL
Ordeh. and 1t was the headquarters of Sir
vance from there In the direction of Berher
| can hardly be made until August or Septem-
ber a Therefore the sSudan s,,,, campaign 1t Is
had It been allowed to take its own course
| but Intervention would be likely to make
what was originally party question a ma