New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-24
THE KHALIFA.
A PEN PICTURE OF ENGLAND'S GREAT
ENEMY IN THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.


From The London Outlook.
Saycd Abdullahi Ibn Sayed Mahmud. khalifa
el Mahdl. is perhaps the most interesting figure
OF the age. representing as ne does the astound-
ing triumph Of what all men. until few years
ago. were agreed to consider the most utterly
lest OF all lost causes. We must regret the
victories of Mahdsm at the expense or the
British arms. but it is difficult to repress salts
faction over the resurrection or so picturesque
phpniX. and impossible not To admire lts
vigor and glamour. All glory, then to Abdullahi.
who. out Of cold ,mbcrs amid a remote and bar
barOus race. has called into being vast empire,
with the venerable watchwords: God and the
King" All hail 10 the divine instrument who
has chokcd. so far at least as hundred thou
sand square miles are concerned the monStrous
growth Of an over hasty civilization,
| cXaggcrdtc. If course. But | seek TO point
"A moral and you shall therefore excuse me. The
Khalfa is Il fanatic: he has shed much blood
in the holy name Of religion: he Is despot ;
worst Of all. lie Kills commerce. Thus, too do
many other empire makers. revcrod IN unison
BY posteriy. Nor may you forget the linita-
tions Of his environment without force ana
fcrvor aye. .,n1 "A cunning sometimes akin 10
trcachcry. he had succumbed iong ago. 1t is
not every man who can ride "A whiIwind and
direct a storm. nor may deny him the use o.
the curb Like many another hero. he may only
be read as his enemies have translated him; but
even through tn" tlundicrd vision Of Slatin
or IN OhrwaIer We may still dcscry much that
H. admirable.
PfOuS AID AUSTERE
We know .hc greatness u the M,hdl. and
Slatin tells how hbGullahi was the Mahii's chief
adviser and nanStly. the organizer Of his vic
tories. the real conqueror At khar'oum. We
know tn" pie; Of the Mahdi. and W" find his
khalifa surpaS ing him in 1ustcrity. We hav"
evidence Of IN" Mahdi's 4 ,cp insight into the
character of men. and We have his proclama-
ton. Abdul hi ~ II mo. AMI am ~ him. Be
Lave with all reverence t. him. as yJu do 10
M: submit 10 him. as you submit 20 me. and
hcli"y" in him. you bcliev" in me: r"y on all
he says. and never question any Of his pro
c'edings. All those who bell "" in God
and In III" must also believe in him. a"d should
any ono motto" anything appar ntiy wrong in
him. they should attribute II to 4 mystery which
they cannot understand. and that. tn rrfore. ii
must b" right" How refreshing is this las.
sentence. WIN j deserves 10 be- inscribed in let
tors - gold upon the to.nbs Of an great kings,
And it eucnu:.' yes a belief IN human natur" 10
hSrry- hoW faithfully The hhdlifl r"GUit"d this
maguanimorf trust TIM Mahdis gospel Ike
hat II -" ch ist. MAS 4 gospel y remuneration
and Ah!ulilhIt whole career hroathrd spirit
- -.lf-uhncgl'ion ard entire devotion % his
masters inter .,s. when tn Mahdi Ley dying.
thIulahi tended hlm "iih all thc tenderness
T 4 mother. r-srr quitting vi bedside hy nlsh'
or dlY. and ~" prophets Inst words broa'h'a
affection and confidence u tnc Wor'hlnoss oi
TITO Khalfl'f character T. y strange medley II
.rnfiu ~ and auef,"ity. - i'rnr's" nd calcu-
lliiou. ~ gen -r.s.ty and s"t r.ty sun pund"i
hy c,uslira'ors. De has ow'I D. 10 himself AM!
his nll-e 20 - make hort work Il th"'r But b.
Is over r,lly sometimes 'y.u too ready o.
PARDON those Who can contirc" him II their
e.uiriiiDn Shtin Pdcha. who. hy his own
showing cor. ;ir.l the whole while y" was
r,f.ra'irr promises = fidelity. vas only -hu;
ur AZ 90. tim. q thc siege # Nhrrtouil. wn"n
rs ir.l lcry vas rcally dangerous AVID after
ward DE- WAS loaded with. a- u seems. undo
.,rveI fl,ois S"ii' had o. cro'y pIui-,cl IN II
f.r fer l,.s ard can hut marvel an ia"
klaIfa's cl~urury when reflect What had boon
81. bot l..i thu positions been reversed Though
d, .,,s 4.,uf. enough to d.,cc, Slatn's deceit.
-. l,ut m~li..i when hc 50" the trIitor limp