THE MILITARY OPERATIONS IN EGYPT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6483, 28 August 1882, Page 5

THE MILITARY OPERATIONS IN EGYPT.

MCV EMENTS OF ' THE TURKI3 H FORCES. SIR GARNET WOLSELEY AT ISMAILIA.

These must be something significant when it is thought necessary to watch and report the movements of Turkish transports. That two of them, laden with troop 3, were seen steering in a south-easterly direction from Rhodes, with the knowledge that they are not bound for Egyptian waters, would, of course, create some uneasiness at Home, especially as our diplomatic relations with the Sultan are so strained. Their destination, however, will soon be known. _ At present we can only conjecture that it is Acre in Syria, perhaps Beirut, about 100 miles to the north of it. It is true that we have no right to interfere with the movements of troops on the Turkish mainland, but we have a right to demand why such powerful reinforcements are suddenly despatched to Syria, whilst the British army is engaged in actual hostilities 111 Egypt. This action of the Porte may be the percurser of grave events, and looks as if it was intended as a first step towards a rupture between the two Powers. a Acre is known as the key of Syria. It is a position of great strategical importance, as the highroads from Asia Minor to Palestine and Kgypt pa3S through it. . It is also strongly fortified. An additional garrison of some 3000 men which these two transports are enabled to carry would materially alter the existing works at a' very short notice. As a jylcicG .d* civuics in the hands of a powerful enemy, such as the Ottoman army, it would bo highly dangerous to our forces in Egypt, especially on account of its'close proximity by sea and by land to the Suez Canal. That England will never allow Acre to be held by au enemy, whilst bhe is engaged in active operations in Egypt, we may take for granted, and however indignant the Sultan may be at the telegraph wires being cut by our General he will have to submit to it, as it would be highly impolitic on the part of Sir Garnet to allow his operations to be telegraphed to Constantinople in the undecided state of our relations with the Porte. ,• • As regards the military operations at Ismailia and in its vicinity during the past week there is little to relate. Sir Garnet has perforce had to remain inactive until the various component parts ,of the division arrive. There can be no doubt but what every diligence has been used, not only to bring up the combatant portion, but also its transports, without which they would be unable to move into the interior. However, a cavalry reconnoissance has beenlfjpushed ahead of the entrenched camp a few miles from Ismailia, and they find the enemy retreating. The cavalry attached to this division comprisesjthc finest fighting material of the world. No troops are better mounted or cared for—in fact, they are the pride of England and the envy of all nations. We have only to mention that they are the Ist and 2nd Life Guards to bring to tho mind how often their magnificent physique has been admired by us all. The 4th Dragoon Guards, scarcely inferior, with tho 19th Hussars, complete , the Brigade. MajorGeneral Drury Lowe is not the man to allow them to remain idle, so that if any portion of Arabi's army is to be found between Ismailia and the Nile they will soon be accounted for, as Sir Garnet's entire division must be now pressing forward with all speed, and we shall soon hear of some decisive action. Sphinx.