TROUBLES IN THE SOUDAN.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 231, 6 December 1888, Page 2

TROUBLES IN THE SOUDAN.

Every Britisher must regret the turn which affairs are taking in Egypt, and view with apprehension the provisions which may be deemed necessary for the future. Those who have not carefully watched the course of events in this direction have little idea of the cause for anxiety that now prevails. None of us care to hear of the bones of our .countrymen being left to bleach on the hot sands of the Soudan, after our soldiers being engaged in a resultless species of guerilla warfare, but with some of the bravest warriors known to history. On the one hand there are these most treacherous forces to contend with, and on the other the jealousy of other nations who are quite agreeable to let Englishmen lose their life blood in the deserts, but will immediately step in at the end to demand a share of the doubtful gains. The admission made in the House of Commons that the Imperial troops are now acting merely on the defensive, proves how hopeless the position is at present, and that the Government are not basing the proposed transportation of English troops on any shallow grounds. But if the troops are merely acting on the defensive now, who can say when any definite settlement can be effected ? At present the Arabs are ready at any favorable moment to make a triumphant raid on Suakin, and then the Mahdi can command his own terms. It is painfully evident that England has already, single-handed, interfered too much with Soudan affairs, but it is equally plain that it would never do to sacrifice Suakin to the roving Arabs, if only on account of the Suez canal, the safety of which would be so much jeopardised. In this aim, however, there should be joint assistance, and there seems to be much reason for condemning the steps which the British Government are now taking.