THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1899.

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 10263, 20 April 1899, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1899.

The battle oi Omdurman illustrated to the world more clearly than any pre- ! vious occasion the futility of large, uudiscipliaed, though withal brave armies, endeavoring to successfully cope with the legions of ;, Europe who are armed with the most deadly weapons that science and ingenuity can devise. The outcome of the battle has been the firm planting of British rule\in the Soudan. Great Britain rules over a larger expanse of Muslim territory than any other power. It seems as if the Empire will be the greatest Mussulman Power the world has eve* seen. It has been triumphantly pointed out that the victory of the Anglo- Egyptian army over the Dervishes was a victory of the Cross over the Cressent. This, however, is not correct as the Mahdi had no political recognition in the Mussulman world, being as a matter of fact an avowed rebel to the Government of Egypt and Turkey. Up to 'the last he had defied the Turks; as well as the Christians by means of a lawless organisation of Arab 3. Little as he was politically recognised the Mahdi religious'y was recognised even less by the Mussu man world. It is evident that the Khalifa did not fight, at Omdurman as a champion of the Mussulman people or as a defender, of the Islamic faith. The majority of the Egyptian army were Mohammedans and had the war beeu for the propagation of the Cross they would not have fought against their co-religion-ists. At the present time the Khedival Crescent and the Union Jack are floating over the ruins of Khartum. But though there was no recognition of the Mahdis' rule, the splendid valour, the unexampled fortitude and devotion, the unsu i passed resignation and courage which the Dervishes displayed in the field have won for them universal sympathy and respect.f- As one of the war correspondents impartially remarked "Such acts of bravery have never been known in history or romance." Right or wrong the Dervishes believed they were fighting for their faith and fatherland. When Muslims heard the account of the 200. Dervishes com ting death rather than desert their black flag, thelast survivor standing motionless and expiring flag in hand, no doubt many a silent tear fell. The Turks and Egyptians who had every reason to crush the Madhi perhaps felt more than any other section of the Muslims the unexpectedly fearful loss of Muslim lives, when 11,000 were killed and 16,000 wounded at the

battle on the Nile. Modern history does not record a single instance of such terrible slaughter in a battle of only a few hours duration. The Mohammedans once possessed a world wide empire. They evidently have preserved their martial qualities and kept intact their conviction in the truth of their religion, of which they have always been proud. It is known that ■! the Dervishes are the direct descendants from the Arabs who conquered Syria: and Egypt-, and they have not degenerated in physique. Yet all their martial qualities failed to prevent their annihilation. It was not ak together a victory of mind over matter. It was a victory of the latest scientific instruments well directed and of military discipline weTF maintained over spears and swords in the hands of splendid hordes of men, whose nearest approach to the enemy was about 1000 yards from the guns. We cannot help comparing the result of the Anglo-Indian expedition into the country of the Afridis with that of the Anglo-Egyptian expedition into the^land of the JBagharas. Intellectually there ia not much to choose between them, but the Afridis knew the value of their own rifles and the destructive nature of the artillery of their enemy ; which -it is evident the Bagharas did 'not know or they would not have been mown down as they were at Omdurmanh. The lesson that, the Muslim State? has received is that itis necessary to give up their antiquated ideas of warfare, that it is useless to have a large • iareguiar, Unprovided and ill-disciplined army for defensive purposes. They are realising that they must adopt Western methods and study the arb of war as practised in modern states. The chances are that the battle en the. Nile will be the last -fought by Muslin people with spears as opposed to rifles and artillery. . All over the Muslim world a craving has set in for the latest and best arms. The Sultan's army is inferior to none in wiilitary equipments and his hobby for the latest European military inventions is too well known to need comment. The Ameer of Afghanistan has been for; a considerable period si'enfcly preparing in Cabul,. under European supervision one of the best arsenals in Asia. The presenc Shah of Persia is supplementing his military establishment every month. It would I not be surprising if the leading gunI makers were extremely, busy pre long in executing orders for different leaders in various parts of the Mohammedan world. The Czar's proposal for peace will be more coldly received by the Muslim people than any other, thqugh in any case it is not likely to succeed for a considerable number of years. The very, tact of Russia continuing to arm discounts the Czars appeal to a very great extent. The victory- at Omdurmann give 3 Britain command over the Nile. It also gives her the Government of Eastern Soudan and a wide field :>for conquest into central and Western Soudan. Ere long all the immense space of land between the Nile and the Niger will not only be opened to the commerce of the civilized world,, but will acknowledge the protectorate, of Union Jack. By her recent victory Great Britain once more comes in contact with several mi lions of the followers of the Prophet and the stability of her Government will depend on her success in the administration of the additional millions now under her rule. The British rule alone has facilitated inter-communi-cation between the Mussulman subjects and it deserves thanks for f the freedom of speech and writing which it has conferred on the Soudanese and oi her inhabitants of the Muslim world. The Queens Government in India is doing more for the Muslims than any other agency we know of. Although there is not a single Mussulman, country which' boasts of a good Muslim university' y.eb under the auspices of the British Government a Mussulman university upon a modern basis i& about to be established in India. If Mussulman people are to be re-united, if Mussulman States are to be allied, if Mussulman civilization is to exercise its influence among men, ib will only be through the co-operation of Great Britain. On the other hand if Great Britain is to remain a great Asiatic power, arid if she is to have a, great African Empire, the loyal attachment and the cordial support of the Muslims are to her an absolute, necessity. . :