The Press. MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1897. THE ADVANCE ON THE NILE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9919, 27 December 1897, Page 4

The Press. MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1897. THE ADVANCE ON THE NILE.

The cable messages which we publish this morning show that there is renewed activity in the Soudan, and indicate a probability that we shall hear of some decisive battles within the next few days. So far the Sirdar has achieved wonderful success in his advance —the more wonderful when it is recollected that the work is being done by Egyptian troops, directed, it it true, by British .officers. A few weeks ago we described the new railway taken across the desert, from Wady Haifa to Abu Hamed. Now it is being continued from Abu ' Hamed to Berber, and it is expected that this section will be completed in j April next. Already Berber is only six days' journey from Cairo, and as soon as the line is completed to Berber quick and easy transport from Cairo will have been established, p,nd the fate of Khartoum will probably be no longer left in abeyance. For the reduction of the Mahdists' stronghold it is admitted that re-inforcements of English troops will be necessary, and it was recently announced that 6000 would be sent out to take part in the advance up the Nile in February next. Meanwhile it would seem that the Mahdists realise the seriousness of their position and are determined not to wait until they are attacked, since it is stated that the dervishes at Shendy and Metammeh are advancing on Berber. Metammeh is fortified by mud forts against a river attack, but the town, being three miles inland behind a ridge, can only be captured by a land attack. If the Khalifa is beaten at this spot he will no doubt endeavour to retreat to Omdurman. Here, we take it, the final struggle will be witnessed, and we f ally anticipate seeing Khartoum restored to Egypt within the next few months. As in the case of the war on the N.W. frontier of India, there has been a "forward policy" in regard to the Soudan, and there have been those who have advocated merely " a slow and steady advance." With the defeat of the Mahdists at Metammeh, however, and the occupation of Kassala, the argument in favour of an immediate and rapid march on Khartoum would be almost irresistible. Until recently there were international reasons why we should delay. Now, however, that certain Continental Powers, notably France, have shown an intention of forestalling us by seizing certain of Egypt's revolted piorinces. tha diplomatic reasons *re

all in favour of a prompt advance on our part. That it is wise to wait for the British reinforcements may be admitted. At Omdurman we shall probably have to fight not only the Khalifa but Osman Digna, who retreated there some time ago. Latterly the Mabdists have not shown much stomach for fighting, and it will be remembered that they abandoned Berber without striking a blow. At Omdurman, however, they will be in the position of men driven into a corner and forced to make their last stand. Their present movements indicate that they intend to fight. The dispositions made by Sir H. Kitchener, however, have throughout been so excellent, and the troops under his command have proved of such admirable material, that we feel little anxiety as to the result.