ENGLISH PROTECTORATE OVER THE SOUDAN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 5, 7 January 1899, Page 5

ENGLISH PROTECTORATE OVER THE SOUDAN.

j LORD CROMER AT OMDURMAN,

j THE SIDAR TO EXERCISE SU-

I'REME AUTHORITY

CAIRO, January 6

Lords Cromer and Kitchener gave audience to the sheiks at Omdurman.

Lord Cromer congratulated them on their liberation, which, he said, was due to the Sirdar's skill and the gallantry of the troops. Ihe British and Egyptian Hags over their heads waa on indication that the Queen and the Khedive henceforth would govern through the Sirdar as their sole representative.. There would be no attempt to govern them from Cairo, still less from London. They must, look to the Sirdar alone for justice and good government. The Queen had ' more Moslem subjects than any Sovereign. and sill were contented with her beneficent rule. Their relig-ion and their customs would be stridly respected, including the Mahommedan sacred laws. Lord Cromer's hearers warmly approved of these sentiments. ' Lord Cromer promised that moderate taxes would be imposed, and urged the promotion of tranquillity and industry. LONDON, January G. The 'Chronicle' considers Lord Cromer's speech virtually means a protectorate. The Sultan of Turkey, it is pointed out, is not mentioned. The 'Standard' declares that nothing •would more have shocked the sheiks than the slightest- hint of the restoration of Ottoman rule. The 'Times' considers the speech the plainest assertion of British sovereign rights in the Soudan yet made.