Evening star., 1898-12-31
TnREATENED ANGLo-FRENcH WAR.

Less than a week had elapsed after the
peace note Of the czar, when a conflict took
place on the upper Nile which threatened
10 involve England and France in war. The
Anclo-Egyptian forces under General Sir
Herbert Kitchener met the revolutionary
forces under the kha..fa at Omdurman and
defeated him. destroying his forts at that
point and putting his entire force to flight
The next day he crossed the Nile and Occu-
pied khdTtoUm. after a sharp fight, in
which ne inflicted heavy losses on the
forces Of the khalifa.
\ few days later q small expedition which
had previously been sent out by the khalIfa,
returned from FashOda and reported that u
force of white men, supposed 10 be French,
had hrCd on the party and driven them
back. EaShOda is on the Nile about 4H8
miles south of khartOum. and was really
IL. second objective point of the Anglo
Egyptian expedition In fact, IL was knO wn
that a French expedition under Major Mar
CEaHd had been making its way toward the
upper Nile country from the south. This
expedition had been under way for more
than year and was originally organized
USteuSibly for scientific investigation. It
was asserted that General kitchener's ex-
pedition had been sent out for the express
purpose OF foTeStalliug the MaTchaud eX-
petition; that England did not intend that
France ShCuld get in and establish claim to
any of the rich territory at the headwaters
OF the Nile.
At all events General Kitchener. as soon
as he heard the report Of the khaiifa'S re-
cOuuoitering party, Immediately dispatched
an expedition 70 Fashoda with instructions
10 raise the English and Egyptian flags at
that point. This party found Major Mar
CEdUd at EdShuda and The French flag
raised there. The French officer was
claiming the region for France on the
grounds Of discovery and conquest. His
claim was promptly disputed by the Eng
llsh and he Was ordered TO take down the
French flag on what was considered Anglo
Egyptian territory.
No Conflict Took Place
Fortunately, no armed conflict took place
between the TWO opposing expeditions. but
General Kitchener referred the matter to
his government. England immediately de-
manded the withdrawal Of Marchand by the
French government, and that France re
fused. Unfortunately, the situation had be-
come public property. and the respective
claims Of the two governments to the dis
puted territory was taken up with great
zeal 10y the public press Of those countries.
W nat would have tc an easy matter for
settlement on the part OF France. by a uuiet
withdrawal Of Marchaad mad the matter
only reached the diplomatic stage. now be
came almost impossl ble under the popular
c!amor without disaster 10 the existing gov
eminent.
England promptly backed up her demand
BY extensive preparations for war \
formidable fleet was IuUbilized at Ports
iHOut ana Ordinary repair work OF all sea-
worthy vessels was stopped, and work on
new vessels hurried forward.
France responded to this move by similar
preparations on her part. Formidable fleets
were nlobilized both on the Mediterranean
ana the English channel. For several weeks
war seemed inevitable. But the necessary
delay of getting ready had a benehcent eff
feet in giving French ardor an opportunity
To cool OH Besides. rance was fortunate
in this instance in having troubles within
her own boundaries which distracted tba
attention of the people from the F'aSbods
affair. This delay gave opportunity for
further diplomatic negotiation. and il soon
became apparent that the French govern
Inent was not anxious to strain the noint
merely for the sake of getting into a war
England gained her point and Maio,
Marchand was withdrawn without the shed.
ding OF blood.