PROGRESS IN THE SOUDAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 18 September 1907, Page 4

PROGRESS IN THE SOUDAN.

Reuter's representative recently had an interview with General Sir Rudolf Slatiu, inspector-General of the Soudan, who was on a short visit to the Old Country. Speaking of the situation in inc Soudan he said:—"The position of affairs is entirely satisfactory, financially and politically. The revenue shows an annual increase, and this without having recourse to increased taxation. tn fact, on the contrary, we are trying our best to reduce taxes where possible. The people generally arc satisfied, and if, as sometimes happens, new laws have to be enacted which go against their traditions they realise that they are for the public good, and cheerfully submit. One of the most important signs in the Soudan is the remarkable increase of the population, and by this i do not mean the removal of people from other regions, but the great increase in the number o) children, which is a most hopeful sign for the future of the country. The people are most anxious to have their children educated, and a satisfactory proof of their confidence is that they are sending so many that the applications are more numerous than our schools are able to accept. The Gordon College is already bearing good fruit, as the Government is being supplied there with land surveyors, etc." Dealing with the native situation, Sir Rudolf said: ''The tribes are peaceful. Of course, inter-tribal questions and jealousies arise when it is necessary for the Government to keep order, but there is nothing to give rise to any anxiety. With regard to the Senussi movement, this has very little inlluence in the Soudan. It has a certain weight in Egypt, but it is chiefly the Darlur and the west. In the Soudan it is practically niL"

Asked about the recent manifestation of the Pan-lslainic movement, Sir Kudolf said that it was a very difficult question to discuss, but added that Lie did not consider the people of Egypt or the Soudan were fanatical. "One must always remember," he added, "that they belong to a different religion from our own, and that, in Egypt particularly, people who arc discontented with the Uovermueut are always ready to use their religion to stir up the population against their rulers."

On the subject of general development, Sir Kudolf Slalin said:—"■ New commercial stations have been opened, one leading to the Blue Nile, and one on the fiaro, and trade is beginning to Uow from Abyssinia to the Soudan by this nieaus. 01 course, at the beginning it is slow, but great development may be looked for. We are on good terms with the Abyssinians,. although occasionally there is trouble with raiders who are outlaws in Abyssinian territory As regards water communication, we are improving the rivers in every way we can. We continue to clear the sudd, and dredgers have been ordered for deepening the channels. The Atbarai'ort Soudan railway is working most satisfactorily, and trade along this route is increasing. We are now engaged :n building a bridge over the Blue Nile al Khartoum, and extending the railway through the fertile country between the White and Blue .Nilcs. There is no necessity to construct a railway connecting the Soudan with Uganda while there is a splendid waterway to Goudokoro. We must, of course, have a line of communication from north to south, but there is no necessity for a Cape to Cairo railway on this section while we have better and cheaper transit by boat.

With regard to motor traffic iu the far away districts of Uulir cl Uhsizcl and Southern kordofan, roads are being made and improved so that motor lorries can be employed." Concerning the situation at the Lado Enclave, Sir Kudolf said that the relations between the Anglo-Egyptian and Congo Free State Governments were friendly, as the latter had evacuated the territory claimed by the former.