General Graham's Programme.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 97, 11 April 1885, Page 6

General Graham's Programme.

General Graham expects to make a general advance of his troops towards the interior some time next week. His first objective point will be Sinkat, where an intrenched summer camp can be established in a healthy location, and with a sufficient supply of water. It will also be a comparatively easy matter to keep up the line of communication and supply between Sinkat and Suakim. " Incidentally, the British will have to " smash " Osman Digna before getting to Sinkat. Then they expect to await the subsidence of the hot winds from the south, and remain at Sinkat until the autumn woather shall make it practicable to advance upon Berber. Osman Digna does not appear to have been consulted as to his programme. He has issued a proclamation in which he tells his followers that ho is about to demolish the British, to occupy Suakim, and capture all the ships that transported the infidel dogs. After occupying Suakim he will awaib the arrival of El Mahdi and his triumphant troops. Then the combined forces will cross the Red Sea in the captured Briti&h transports to Jeddah, in Arabia. Thence they will march upon Mecca, whera El Mahdi is to be anointed and acclaimed the successor of Mohammed. He will next proceed to Stamboul, having behind him thejauthorisation of the Moslem woi 13, and will smash the false (Jaliph who occupies the Turkish throne.