Nurses in the Soudan.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume VI, Issue 688, 29 August 1898, Page 4

Nurses in the Soudan.

The Cairo correspondent of the London Times writes in respect to a letter from Lord Wantage, who, referring to Lord Cromer and Sir Herbert Kitchener having declined the offer made by the Red Cross Society, says :—“ During previous expeditions on the Nile the Bed Cross aid has always been gratefully accepted, and in no case has the society made any demands upon the military authorities for transport, which they have always provided for themselves." This statement mignt lead some readers to conclude that an offer of aid, both valuable and costing nothing to its recipients, has been refused, which is not entirely correct. The society could not provide their own independent transport. From Wady Haifa to the Atbara the military railway line is single, and as yet barely sufficiently equipped for the strict requirements of the expedition. South of the Atbara every camel and boat that the country can furnish will be required for the force marching upon Omdurman. A Red Cross contingent would find itself compelled to draw upon the Sirdar's resources to a serious extent for convoy, transport, and provisions, both on going and returning—not small matter in a devastated country where everything, water excepted, needed by an army of 20,000 men has to be

carried along with them. No real analogy can be found between the conduct of the present and that of previous Soudan expeditions. The latter were conducted regardless of expense and with comparatively little forethought or knowledge of the country. The present campaign has been planned even to its minor details with scientific carefulness in order to ensure success within as short a time as possible and limit expenditure to the means of the Egyptian Treasury. It is, therefore, easy to see how even any small additional call upon the machinery planned by the Sirdar and officers may interfere with its smooth working. I have the highest authority for stating that the entire force is amply supplied with surgeons and all medical appliances for the sick anl wounded.