Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-11


to take the offensive In great force against
l the Anglo-Egyptian Nile expedition.
II the French expeditions have really
reached a point on the Upper Nile above
knartoum. they have tbarenesi< several
hundred miles into territory that Is
claimed by the British. and which Is de-
signed 10 be one OF the chief connecting
links IN tho chain OF domination Great
Britain Is aiming to stretch the length or
the continent The British contend tnat
the boundary between their Upper Nile
territory and the French soudan and the
| Congo is the watershed between the Me
! and its tributaries on the one hama, ana
tho Shari and the Congo and the streams
debouching into them on the osher. In
other words. all territory drained by the
| Nile Is claimed by Great Britain, and all
territory drained by the Shari and by the
Congo north OF Uhanghi. Is conceded 10
| France. This division gives to France
| the Nyam- Nyam country and Oar Banda,
practically unexplored stretch OF terri
tory 10 the west Of Nyam Nyam, and
leaves TO Great Britain the entire Bhar
I4l
in Africa have shown a disposition TO
disregard this division, especially since
the breaking off early in 1887 of negotia-
items between Great Britain and France
touching the matter; but it does not fol-
low that the presence OF a French expedi-
ton AT Fashoda would involve any real
or permanent menace TO British inter-
phical lines the boundary described con-
forms to the Egyptian Soudan boundary
as II existed before the revolt of 1882. II
is. therefore. believed that when matters
are brought to test in negotiations be-
tween the British and the French gov
ernments. France villa realize that she
can III afford not 10 recognize that the
British have right on their side. More
over. Germany recognizes Great Britains
ultimate right to control the Upper Nile
on behalf Of herself and Egypt, while 1t
is admitted that France and Russia COM
bined are in no position TO cope with the
British in a struggle on the Dark Conti-
nent. Hence the Fashoda incident-if 1t
is really an incident-and the rumors
growing ont of it and the conclusions de-
duced from it are robbed Of any great
significance The penetration by French |
expedition far into British Upper Nile |
territory might embarrass Great Britain !
somewhat for a time, but it is hardly |
that the final result could amount |
to more than that
As to the report that the Khalifa is
to take the offensive against
the Anglo-Egyptian Nile advance, there
is in the nature of the situation every
reason TO believe that there is great
deal in it. The Egyptian campaign
against the Mahdi has been prosecuted.
though slowly, in manner that from the
beginning has meant business. One col
lmn has been steadily pressing up the
Nile. making every move tell as it pro-
,eeded. and keeping open systematic and
Wel-guarded communications with the
rear. over which achievements, ammu-
milton. and provisions could be hurried.
Another expedition has opened communi-
,ation between Suakim, on the Red Sea
ittoral and Berber, which establishes a
second route by which troops and sup
plies may be conveyed to the main col
INN. and a third force holds Kassala,
which TANKS Khartoum and affords a
1ase Of attack from that quarter. 1t will
be seen from this that the Dervishes are
practically surrounded and that their
,nly hope is to force conclusions with the
Nile expedition proper before they are
,losed in upon. 1t will also be seen that
f there is anything in the report that
Nenelek has been deluded into attempt
ng to give the British trouble, it will
be the policy Of the British,
llso, to force the issue at as early date
IS possible. No one need be surprised
therefore. 10 hear exciting news from the
leighborhood Of Khartoum any day,
whether the Fashoda matter proves Of
any significance or not.