FUTURE OF THE CAMPAIGN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3286, 9 April 1885, Page 2

FUTURE OF THE CAMPAIGN.

Jn regard to the general plan of the operations from Souakim, Th» Times points out that there arc two alternatiye schemes. One is to inflict a blow on Oaman Digna, advance to the high ground as far as twenty or thirty miles from the coast, and quarter the troops there during the hot season, while parties of cayalry make bur presence felt by constant raids. The other is to defeat Osman Digna and then to push on with all speed a lightly-equipped force of 4000 men to Berber, leaving the remaining portion of the army to cover the construction of the railway, and to protect the line of communication. The disadvantage of the first scheme is that it would imperfectly and only indirectly relieve the pressure on Lord Wolseley. The disadvantage of the second is that without previous preparation m the way of improving and constructing wells it would be impossible to move m one body more than a few hundred men. Sufficient could be done, however, m respect to securing a fair supply of water for the first half of the 260 miles between Souakim and Berber, were Osman Digna thoroughly crushed and discredited. From all accounts, continues The Times, he is making every preparation to give battle to us at or near Tamai or Handoub ; but, as we'hate learnt from experience, it is no easy task to annihilate an Arab army, and the latter possesses- extraordinary- powers of recuperation even after the most destructive defeat. Should Osman Digna avoid a battle our difficulties would be largely increased. It is, however, . evident to us that energetic measures must bo taken with all speed to make the ' presence of General. Graham's army, felt on the Nile, and demonstrations 'of an advance m force at all events should be made. It is true that the hot weather is close at hand. It will be very trying after the Ist of April ; still m _the hills there will be some mitigation of the heat even m the niiddlo of.smqmer; and it was during the intense heat of July and August, 81 iCears ago, that. General Boird marched across the' desert, from Kosseirto Keneh, some 6000 men with the loss of only five. What he did then wo ought to bo able to do now, especially with all the resources which science has of late placed at our disposal.