New-York tribune., 1897-12-27
KASSALA.
ITS MILITARY AND COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE
BEsIEGED FOR TWENTY MONTHS DY THE
MAHpIsrs IN Iss3-THE SECOND

SIEGE IN 1894.

KassaIa which "a TO be occupied this week by an
Anglo Egyptian garrison OF fifteen hundred men.
with battery OF artillery was founded In leiz Dy
the Governor Of the Egyptian Soudan It's !aVor-
able situation between Suakim. the natural haroor
OF the Eastern Soudan. and the fertile district OF
Taxa and Gebaref attracted many people th.ther
The March River flowing $50 yards from the walls
OF the city. insures to It all the year dr!nkab!e
water a matter OF great importance In the coun-
try OF thirs.." as says Henri Pensa in his recent
book, 'L'Egypte ct le Soudan Egyptian" More
over springs are sufficiently numerous IN the pam
10 furnish enough water for the gardens.
Kassala was destined by It's advantageous and
commanding situation TO become the battle-ground
OF the different tribes. fighting between themselves
or against European invaders. for predon'nance IN
that portion Of Northeastern Africa. The new CITY
was on the road connecting Khartoum WIN
posts on the Red Sea- and principally with Sua-
kim and Massowah In 1858 the place was occu-
pied by an Egyptian garrison OF one thousand
regulars two thousand auxiliaries and eighteen
cannon The Mahdsts commanded BY lieuten-
ant Of the famous Osman Digma. laid siege before
Kassala which was surrendered In July. lss5 after
a stubborn resistance OF twenty months The Der
wishes remained in possession. despite the attacks
OF the neighboring tribes which did not want the
Mahdsts domination. and the Italians. who had
landed at Massowah and founded the Erythrean
colony. coveted Kassala which commanded the
interland back of Massowah and the route 10 the
ton Of the Italians against the Dervishes at Kas-
saa. and treaty was signed between them and
General Ba.dissera In 1855.
The Madhists attacked the insurgent tribe. which
supported by Captain Fara, at the head of
some Italian troops who occupied Agordat the
road from MassoWah to kassala. AGordat was
strongly fortified afterward TO serve n basis for
future advance. and the Mehdists were defeated
by Captain Hidago in their efforts to dslodge the
invaders. A second defeat was inflicted upon them
In December 1893. by General Arimondi In 4 bloody
fight, which cos; him the loss OF two hundred men.
In July. 1894. General Baratieri started from
AGordat with three battalons of native infantry.
one section Of mountain artillery and a squadron
OF cavalry. He appeared before Kassala on the
17th The Dervishes hardly made a show of hCht
and the Italians occupied the city. almost without
resistance II fortified by Baratleri who lcft
there garrison Of one thousand soldiers and who
returned 10 Massowah. he expected soon 20 30
AGAIN TO Kassala and march in the direction OF the
Nile. whose name was great attraction In the
minds Of Italians. who were dreaming OF restoring
the ancient power Of Rome over the great river OF
tho Pharaohs
But this was not In accordance with the policy
OF the British who wanted to retain the exclusive
sovereignty OF the Nile. They had only consented.
after the fall and death Of Gordon al Khartoum. 20
Jet Italy occupy Massowah. and thus threaten the
Mahdists from the east. new convention was
therefore signed May g. 1894 between them and
the Italians. leaving the latter free to extend their
colony southwark. in the direction OF Abyssnia
but limiting Kassala the expansion OF the
Egyptian colony In the direction OF the Nile After
the defeat Of the Italians at Adowa the Dervishes
hesieged Kassala which was delivered by Colonel
Stevani. who lost four hundred men in several
fights. The Government OF Rome decided then to
withdraw from the interior OF the Soudan and to
return Kassala TO its former master. the Egyptian
Government. practically ruled by Great Britain.