The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-18

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ter.
Meanwhile the situation at Gambia is criti-
cal. Thousands of the most notorious bashi
bazouks have now left the town and forti-
fled themselves just inside the military cor
don, while outside the Gordon body of
Christian insurgents is gathered. They are
watching their prey, eager to spring
forward if the bashi bazouks attempt to
leave the town. The chances of bloody
fighting hinge upon the Turkish govern
ments to Edham Pasha, the Turkish Gov
ernor, who has asked for instructions, after
having been notified by Admiral Noel that
the Mussulr1an population must be dis
armed. The British admiral is apparently
determined to enforce the disarmament of
the bashi bazouks, whether it is agreeable
to the Sultan or not.
The absence of news from Fashoda, the
important place about 400 miles south of
Khartum, which is reported to have been oc-
cupied by a French force, has put the Brit
ish upon tenterhooks; but they have impli-
cit faith in the British commander, General
Sir Herbert Kitchener, and have cheerfuly
assumed that the British and Egyptian
flags are already flying there, whether
Major Marchand, the French commander,
is there or is not there The British news
papers have taken a most unCompromising
attitude in regard to Fashoda. They are
daily issuing warnings to France, telling her
to stand off or trouble will follow, and there
is no doubt the Marquis of Salisbury will
have the nation behind him, even If General
Kitchener has to oust Major Marchand from
F'ashoda by force of arms.
The Spectator says: IF we go to Fashoda
and quietly take possession, France will not
order US out If she does and we naturally
refuse to go, she won't attack us. Moth
ing else, however, will serve her turn, as,
if the matter is settled locally we must win.
If, then, the French are at Fashoda, we do
not see any reason to be greatly alarmed.
The most they will do is to try to make
the occupation the ground for a good bar
gain. The Bahr ell Chazel, river branch
ing into the Nile little way south of
Fashoda, and really a continuation of the
Nile and its af1uents, might, it is conceiv-
able, be conceded to her on certain terms"
The French newspapers which took the
matter quietly are now indulging in trucu-
lent articles. They declare that if Major
Marchand is really at Fashoda he will stay
there. The idea that Fashoda is within the
Egyptian sphere is pooh-poohed. Otherwise,
it is asked, what right has Great Britain to
Egyptian equatorial province? The Echo de
Paris says: 1.-The sirdar's forces dare not
fire upon Major Marchand. for France is
behind him. England must now consent to
European conference unless she wants war.
The Soliel adopts tho ''perhdious Albion"
line of argument and thinks the report of
Major Marchands arrival at Fashoda is
British trick to prepare public opinion for
an immediate advance upon Fashoda before
the French arrive there.
The interesting announcement is made
here that the whole cost of the Nile CAM
paign since 1896. has been only a26O0,0OO
($1S, 100000 including G1,OO0,O00 spent upon
the Sudan railroads of which 500 miles have
been constructed during that time.
General Kitchener has decided to destroy
the tomb of the Mahdi at Omdurman, which
was SO prominent a mark for the British
artillery during the bombardment This step
will be taken in order to prevent Omdurman
becoming a second Mecca.
How the United States will administer its
new possession and how large these possess
sions will be, continue to be the subjects for
considerable speculation in tho European
newspapers. David Christie Murray writes:
'The Republic has drawn upon her should
ers the mantle of empire, and has taken the
scepter of empire in her hands, and has set
upon her own head the crown of empire,
and the whole world knows that it is the
richer for the act. 1t is one of the most
momentous historical happenings of modern
years, and is full of good augury for the
progress of the adaptive and inventive spirit
of the land we know we'll already, and that
she will conform herself to her new duties
all men who are really acquainted with her
PEOPLE are assured beforehand.
London Life claims to have information
that Emile Zola is about to become Cath
olic priest. 1t says the Vatican was ap-
preached on the subject a fortnight ago and
that the Pope has given his assent to the
ordination of the distinguished author six
months hence. M. Zola's conversion is said
to have been made by Father Gougon, the
pastor of a small parish church, and inti-
mate friend of the novelist.
All reports from Frar ce agree that the
Dreyfus case has now brought France to
the eve of a crisis, perhaps the most for
midable in the history of the third repub-
lie. The situation is rendered more acute by
the fact that it is threatening not merely the
existence of the Cabinet but the stability of
the constitution. A significant feature of the
situation IS the attitude or President Faure.
He is known to be utterly opposed to re.
vision of the case; but the premier, M. Bris-
son, and a majority of his colleagues have
decided in favor of reopening the matter,
and with the resignation of the minister of
war, General Zurlinden a result, there is
but little doubt that popular opinion is still
against a revision. Thus, the Cabinet will
come in conflict with the people, while Pres
ident Faure, as the champion of the army
and with the sympathy of majority of the
nation, assumes a formidable role, which
may lead to grave developments. This will
be clearly seen if the Cabinets decision
leads, as is extremely likely, to mob demon
strations. 1t is predicted that with the pres
ent state of military feeling the army will
side with the demonstrators against the
Cabinet.
Turks in Crete Must Disarm.
GAMBIA, Isle of Crete, Sept. I.-Admiral
Noel, the British naval commander here,
last evening handed Edhem Pasha, the
Turkish Governor, demand for the dis
armament of the Mussulman population.
The Pasha is awaiting the instructions of