Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, FEB. 8, 1903. The Soudan.

Manawatu Herald, 3 February 1903, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, FEB. 8, 1903. The Soudan.

Whatever h dv.so in Africa affects Great Britain, thus Bri timbers, the world over, aro bound to have an interest in what is done or proposed to be done there. The Soudan, that part of Equatorial Africa which the strengthened Egyptian government re-conquered with the help of the British, is a partnership property held by Britain and Egypt, as it lies beyond ihe jurisdiction of the Mixed Tribunals, and the flags fly together, We know that Egypt possesses the Earl of Cromer as financial adviser and many important works, such as the two immense dams across the river Nile, have been carried out at an almost nominal cost, as the receipts from improved land will immediately pay all interest and sinking funds on the cost of the works We notice a late cablegram mentions that Lord Cromer considers the Suakira-Berher railway as essential to render the Soudan self-supporting though the cost of making it is estimated at two and a half millions. For a country which needed the combined force of Prance and England to insist on some circumspection being shown in finance, to be talking of spending millions, may appear strange, but such has been the advantage to Egypt of proper government and shrewd financing that not only has the wasting of money ceased but the country has secured a thorough sound position, and there has been a large net surplus of revenue over expenditure, and the debt converted in a very economical fashion. As far as regards the Soudan the territories are not expected to provide an income equivalent to their cost for some time; long periods of war, famine, and disease have caused great ravages throughout the population, and some years must elapse before a substantial revenue may be expected. However, under Britain’s commercial policy, peace and plenty may be looked for, and any liabilities incurred for the progress of the country will be paid for, as Egypt’s have been. It may be interesting to note that of the entire trade of Egypt, over 63 per cent is carried on with the United Kingdom, so that we have a great interest in Egypt and the Soudan’s progress.