THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume V, Issue 212, 7 March 1885, Page 2

THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

Of all British expedition* oi late years, whether frith theebject of aggression, or defenee, the present o»ete Soudan standi e:it in painfully prominence, as legaias ill-success, tailare, and complete disaster. Reverses, there have been in almost all cases,'but nothing- hardly tc (tv|ual tli® ieaLy disastrous nature seem,* to characterize the present campaign in Egypt. The one prime object, had ia view, by the Home Government, u hen these expeditionary nudeitaken, was that of relievifl^ r th# unfoituaate General, who« 9 daring courageous spirit, and high military attainments, are new the talk of all eoun tries. But a long delay occurred before those steps wrtr* iakwL -and lia&

climate, and the obstructive character of the country to be traveried, combined, woild appear to have so upset, and marred the intended effect and force of the measure! in hand, that they ftll short of that whieh was required, and »o, the infuriated fanatical horde# surged around Khartoum, day and night for weeki together, until their savage and deiperate pertinacity accomplished the fall of the town. General Gerdon, whose bravery in tasks which expoied him to all sorts of jeopardy, and whose utter disregard for hit own weltare and safety was notorioue when tbe interest! national progress, or those of humanity, were threatened,—fell whilst leading his rauu on to a gallant defence. And with the newi of his death, it may he said that a sensation, full of pain and the deepest regret, ran throughout wherever the noble hero's deeds, and \ mprigkt Christian character has made his j name famous and admired. Th* peace- ' at-any-price-party, who seem to have the reinf in England at present, and, to whom national prestige in matters military would appear to be something to be last thought of, are catching it just now ; and it would appear certain enough, that expressed disapprobation of the Eastern policy of the Liberal Government, is bound to follow. The mortality amongst the officers even sinee the fall of Khartoum, has been something great ; and the Army has lost many valorous men of long service. Late accounts give it out, that the troops are retiring to safer quarters ; whilst, worse still, the rebel leader, El Mahdi, with a large following has assumed f .he aggressive, and is now on the march to meet the hated invaders. It must be a critical time for General Wolseley, and the greatest anxiety will be felt, that none of his forces may be entrapped er misled through any of that insiiioui treachery whielt composes so much cf the Eastern character.