ANOTHER SOUDAN CAMPAIGN

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5519, 20 March 1896, Page 4

ANOTHER SOUDAN CAMPAIGN

(From the Lytteltcn Times.) English Liberals are beginning to protest, not a moment too soon, against the apparent intention of Lord' Salisbury's Government to keep alive the bellicose spirit of the nation. We should have thought that, after the recent narrow escape from a serious embroilment in South Africa, the Conservative Ministry would hav.e been very chary about inviting a similar complication in the north of the Dark Continent. It would seem, however, that there are either unseen causes at work rendering a Soudan campaign necessary, or that the Conservative i Party is repeating its historic tacticß of prosecuting a "spirited foreign policy" in order to divert attention from pressing calls for domestic reforms. Mr Balfour is probably not far from the mark when he says that the Soudan is under the worst rule in the world. In the matter of slavery and its attendant cruelties, it does not, however, seem to be much worse than another region of Africa, to wit, Zanzibar, which is under British protection ; and the saving of the Soudan negroes from their Saviour, or Mahdi, does not seem to be an essential duty of England. The massing of dervishes may constitute a danger to Egypt, calling for defensive measures ; but we think it is clear that the projected expedition is less designed for that purpose than it is to assist the Italians in their Abyssinian extremity. Following upon emphatic declarations that the English, Government recognises it to be its duty to evacuate Egypt, and coming at a time when negotiations were underr stood to be going on between the Powers interested as to the basis upon which the evacuation should be effected, the expedition to Dongola, with a coalition with Italy at Darfur as its objective, has the appearance of a design to prolong the occupation of Egypt. Naturally, France is enraged at these tactics, and the recent rapprochement between that Power and England, so gratifying to all lovers of peace and prosperity, is quite nullified. We shall have Eusßia and France in undisguised hostility to us in this Soudan campaign, while. Germany will be quite aa unfriendly. l*To wonder that the Under- Secretary for Foreign Affairs sees " influences at work in Africa that will possibly yet prove a source of danger to the peace of Europe." I£ warlike complications ensue, they will be the result — so far as present information enables us to judge —of a wanton dosign of the Conservative Government to make a "little war" abroad. The abortive affair in the Transvaal and the unexpected submission of the King of Ashantee have disappointed the "Jingoes," and they now turn their attention to the Soudan, assured that friend " Fuzzy -Wuzzy " will not fail to show fight. Such is the aspect which matters wear to a dispassionate onlooker at this distance. It may be the case that there is a plot to overthrow British influonce in Africa, and thiit the necessary counteraction to it is a campaign in trie Soudan, that grave of glory to so many British soldiers, but in the meantime evidence to that effect is decidedly wanting. Wheat is mentioned in the Scriptures as a well-known grain and under wide cultivation. ' a J&bliablb 1 imekeeper may be had by t iking your Watch or Clock to bo cleaned aad examined by E. Kennett, 183, High Street. 3527 DUEYEA'S WAIZENA