New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-26
THE FIGHT FOR THE NILE.
BRITISH AND FRENCH RIVALRIES IN
THE LAND OF MYSTERIES.
IMPORTANCE OF THE GREAT RIVER TO EGYPT
POSSIBILITY OF DIvERTING ITS COURSE
PLANS FOR DAMMING 1T TO CON
TROI. IT'S FLOODS.

troll IT'S FLOODS.
Three bits Of African news. coming almost
simultaneously. throw light upon one Of the
most noteworthy movements of all that have
marked the recent history of the Dark Cont
nent That history has chiefly been the record
of a scramble OF the European Powers for pos
session of the land Foremost among the rivals
are France and Great Britain. They have by
far dstanced all others France has secured
the larger territory. but Great Britain the more
populous. between the two honors may be
regarded easy. The rivalry between them is
now confined to two points, on the Niger and on
the Nile. Mention has already been made OF
the complications in the former region. and. of
course. !hc latter has long been known the
scene of jealous strife. When Egypt fell into
anarchy. fifteen years ago. Great Britain pro-
posed that she and Fran, should Jointly inter-
vene for the restoration If order. That was rea-
sonahe. since they were the two Powers most
Interested. France would have done it but for
Prince Bismarck. That astute diplomat feared
France and dsliked Great Britain. and did not
want them to become friendly or in any way
allied. So he cOntrved to prevail upon France
to decline the proposal Great Britain went in
alone and has since been administering the
country with vast success. and to the incalcu-
liable benefit of the Egyptians themselves and
also Of the French bondholdcrs. But France
fees over the trick the German Chancellor
played on her. and directs her resentment
against Great Britain. and has lost oppor-
tunity to protest against the latters occupa-
ton Of Egypt or to endcavor to Gust her.
BRITAIN STRENGTHENING HER HOLD.
Now Great Britain has not only been
strengthening her hold upon Egypt. but she
has been increasing her African empire in other
regions with evident intent to make the wl.pl =
one connected realm. She has pushed her hold
ings in the south up until they Join her empire
in the east and that IN turn has been extended
by way Of Uganda until it marches with the
equatorial provinces Of the old Egyptian Sou
dan. Finally. she has set out to redeem the
latter from Dervish rule, as Gordon prophcsicl
she would have t. do. This done. she will have
an empire in Africa fronting on three seas and
united into one In the very heart OF the cont
nent That Is a magnificent scheme and that
IS Just what France some time ago set out 10
prevent. While. the British were pushing ~
from the south and down from the north. t.
effect A junction near the head waters OF nc
Me and make tina, British river from sorTce
TO delta. the French attempted 10 cut across
their track in advance Expeditions W're sent
eastward from the Congo and westward from
Obock. TO meet the Nile or in the Bahr-"l-
Cbazcl country a ID raise the French flag ,hPr".
That move II successful. would forestall thr
British. and not only prevent the formation Of
the united British Empire from delta to cape.
but as shall see. would also probably force
the British out of Egypt Itself
The three items Of news referred to are these:
That the French force which was marching
eastward from the Congo has been annihilatcd
by savages: that The British have reoccupied
Kassala. thus blocking the way Of the French
force which was marching westward from
ObOck. and that. finally. France has recognized
Great Britans prior and paramount rights In
that region. and 1le two Powers have thus
reached an amicabe agreement. There Is rea-
son to believe the last report Is true. the
others certainly If So the most significant
strategical movement yet undertaken In Africa
Is ended and has ended in success for the
British.
THE GIFT OF THE NILE
Egypt. said Herodotus Is the gift II the Nile.
That was true in his day. and it is equally true
now Not only the prosperity. but the very
existence Of that country as the abode OF civil
lied man depends upon the annual flooding of
the river. This fact is kcenly appreciated by
any one who has ever been in Egypt or
about the COptic New Years Day. which CORE
spends to September 10 or II in the Grcgorian
calendar. 1t is then that the river usually
reaches its height although the festival Of
Wefa-en-Neel, or Full Nile. Is held fortnight
earlier For weeks before this date the almost
invariable question asked ard answered by
Egyptians at meeting is. How much has the
Nile risen to-day" universal anxiety being felt
as to whether the food will be sufficient to