South Canterbury Times. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1882.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2955, 14 September 1882, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1882.

The campaign in Egypt still drags on. It wns generally expected that the operations of the British forces would be ‘ short, sharp, and decisive ’ ; but they have not proved so. A considerable time has elapsed, and great forces have been landed in the country. But no decisive blow has been struck, and the great events are yet to come off. That fatal reluctance to move ; that policy of delay which has so often cost the lives of thousands of our bravest men ; that mismanagement and tardiness which were painfully conspicuous in the Crimea, and came near losing our Indian Empire ; to which the lives of some of the most' gallant Englishmen, by whole regiments, were sacrified in South Africa, —are again manifest even after so many painful experiences. We had hoped that England, looking back upon her many military failures, 1 and having before her eyes the admirable military system of Germany and the exploits of the German army, would have met this crisis with boldness and vigor. Such has not been the case, however. Things are allowed to culminate in the massacre of the European residents of Alexandria before action is taken, and then the action taken is but half-hearted. A force is despatched, and a great show made. But before anything is done arrangements must be made with Turkey. A long and profitless negociation with the Porte ensues, the forces remaining virtually inactive. This interval, of course Arabi so uses to strengthen his position and increase his numbers, that when the British do actually advance, it is •in the face of a very considerably augmented hostile force. Now, it occurs to most of us ,to ask, why this delay, this diplomatic twaddle, between Russia and the Sublime Porte ? The idea of such protracted delays for the purpose of getting Turkey to make a guarantee, or promise, to enter into a bond or, sign a treaty, is incomprehensible. Is it seriously expected that Turkey will observe any bond, treaty or obligation for an hour longer than she finds necessary for her own safety or profit? Would it not have been far better to have marched forthwith upon the strongholds, occupied them, seized the leaders of the revolt, and then invited Turkey to Si conference ? Now that it is hopeless to look for any settlement but by the sword, the enemy proves to be strong, audacious, and eager, his numbers are vast, and his position thoroughly good; while our British troops are fewer in number, their position is inferior, and they are being struck down by disease and death. We have a good general and a brave capable Admiral commands afloat. But theyare both, perforce, subservient to the tardy policy ,of the Government. It is almost maddening to think, not only that thousands of our “noblest English ” are going to succumb to disease and fall before a flushed enemy, but that the hostile feeling (which might have been nipped in the bud) is going to spread everywhere simply because there has been unwarrantable delay which it is to be feared we shall have bitter cause to rue, Our victories are always won by the sheer pluck of our soldiers—and in no sense are they dne either to brilliant generalship or promptitude on the part of the Government.