New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-04
HOW THE FRENCH REACHED FASHODA.
TWO YEARS OF FIGHTING AND NEGOTIATING ~
TIE UNEMPLOYED REGlONS or THE
RAlIR- Ell, GIIAZAI.


While cable dispatches are reahirmns that
France has decided to eVacuatc FashOda. some
doubts are expressed in regard to her abandonment
also Of the territory of the Bahr-el-Ghazai ana the
five posts established there by Marchand during
hi march toward the Nile a few eXtrsct3 from
the narrative oc his twO-ycars expedition as real-
ed by VI. Henri Pensa, a recognized authority in
African questions and Editor Of the international
organ Questions Diplomatiques ct CoOnicls."
will show upon what basis Will be discussed the
negotiations between France and England in regard
TO the ownership of the southernmost territory Of
the Egyptian Soulan.
1t was in 1896 that the French Government con
ceived the plan of connecting its Congo colony on
the Atlantic with tha' Of Obock and Djiboui on the
Indian Ocean by line of fortified posts and ROAD
Africa from west to east, which v oud cut
at right angles the north and south road which
England intended TO establish between Alexandra
and cape Town. NJ Liotard. the explorer. at the
end of that year. 1886, having started from the
French Congo had already crossed the crest or
summit of the dividing line Of the Nile basin. and
placed the States Of the Tamboura Sultan under
The protectorate OF franc fapp}nd n0sf now
known Fort Hossinger. became the victim OF
an accident while Lieutenant Angot was making
the first reconnaissance or exploration beyond the
river Souch. The French had at their disposition
all available resources In the shape OF Ba2in-
gueris soldiers armed with guns. carriers and pro
visions existing in the four Suitanates 81 me
MComou region. But VI. Liotard suddenly found
himself and his deprived Of ammunition ana
other INDISPENSABLE articles through detective
system of tran SDOrtatiOn along the route from
Ioango and Brazzaville. the headquarters OF the
French Congo whence he had started, and upon
whose support he compelled to rely. He also
lacked the number Of Sencgalcse soldiers and oii-
GERS necessary for the REALIZATION Of the plan Of
occlIuation elaborated by TN" Paris Government.
The latter decided To send him reinforcemonts
which were first intended 10 be placed under me
direction of Iieuenant- Colonel MOnteil but Whlch
were finally put under that Of COmmandant Mar
chand who had lived for long while in the
SOudan.
I'm the first months Of 1891 Marchand had estab-
lished n regular service of carriers and NOR" man
three thousand loads Of anmuniton ana provisions
Congo and the basin Of the Nile. Gunboats were
transported in pieces. and In November, Io9 one
OF them the Faidherbe, was Launched on inc
Souch as were also several lighters. Lieutenant
Naugin rneanN bile built up Fort DesaiX. which
was considered a. the capital Of the French pos
sessions in the Bahr-ei-(ihazel Another fort was
constructed at DEM iber. and while Lieutenant
C;nuby was pushing with Captain ltaratltr some
exnrditions in the direction of the Mahdist Empire
Commandant Marchand with great tact ara di-
plomacy. Conciliated all the surrounding NAIVE
tribes before starting for the Nile whore ne many
arrived AT tho beginning OF this year. The Bati-ci
Chazal territory was thus occupied, dc fdctO. ny
IN. French who had there three fOriresses. For'S
Hossinger DesaiX ard Dom-Iiber, gaGrisoned by
three companies Of Senegalesc soldiers ana a no
lila Of glinhoats and lighters armed Win rapid
firing cannons and under the command OF Mldsnip-
man Dyf Unfortunately, these forts had cost INC
iivrs Of some Of the French explorers 'omte
the administrator NORM lieutenant OF the h9st
Canfain Hossinger and Lieutenant Gouby Inc
frst-uamed was drowned. and the others uled OF