The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-14

British and Egyptians Are Preparing
to Attack the DerVishes.

LONDON, June 13.-It is formally an
nounced that as soon as the rising of the
Nile admits of the advance of the Anglo
Egyptian column beyond Merawi the for
ward !noyement will be continued toward
Khartoum. The khalifa has concentrated
a formidable body of Dervishes at Omdur-
man. According to- the latest advices this
force does not fen short of forty thousand
fighting men, a may be increased to
sixty thousand. has sixteen thousand
camels, and there is every indications that
he means to resist to the death. Informa-
ton secured by the Egyptian intelligence
department from the Dervish camp shows
that he has convened a council of war to
assemble at Khartoum during the next ten
days to determine the plan of defensive
campaign. Behind this ostensible object of
such council is probably a desire to
learn whether the tribal chiefs who still
support the Maho1st cause can be trusted
to fight against the infldel with the same
loyalty as they did in the time of his pre-
decessOr.
The intelligence department makes sure
of learning the result of this council by the
end of June, and then the Anglo-Egyptian
commanders will reach final determina-
tion as to the continuance of the advance
beyond Abu Hamed That position, come
what may, they wish to take by the end of
July, as it is absolutely necessary as a
forward base of operations, and would be
equally strong for defense as for attack.
At present the Anglo-Egypttan plan of
campaign as definitely settled extends no
further than the capture and occupation
of this important position by an expedition
starting from Merawi, the farthest Anglo
Egyptian outpost. near the fourth cata-
ract The Dervishes are likely to show
fight at Abu Hamed, for they know enough
of military strategy TO know that it con-
stitutes the key Of their position 1t blocks
the road across the Nubian desert and the
route by the Nile to Berber.
The Anglo Egyptian advance cannot be
carried beyond Merawi so long as Abu
Hamed remains in the hands of the khalifa
reconnaissance in the direction of Berber
would be no obstacle TO the completion of
the desert railway from Wady Halfa The
requirements of the campaign are likely
ficient merely to reconquer the lost prov
ince of Dongola. The stretch of navigation
between Merawi and Abu Hamed is very
difficult, and the probability is that the
Anglo Egyptian forces will move forward
by land so as to clear the left bank of
Dervishes before the steamers attempt the
passage. Thus the long line of communi-
cations from Dongola to Merawi will have
to be protected by reinforcements sent
from the base to take the place Of the
troops forming the fighting force.
The only doubt is as to when the Der
wishes will offer resistance; whether they
will make a final stand at Omdurman or
whether they will oppose the Anglo-Egypt-
sble that the khalifa, recognizing the i'm
II ediate Importance of holding Abu Hamed
and Berber may dispatch strong column
across the Bayuda desert to endeayor TO cut
the Anglo Egyptian line of communica-
tions. The inevitable collision cannot be
much longer delayed.