NEWSPAPER STRATEGY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1626, 5 December 1882, Page 4

NEWSPAPER STRATEGY.

Sir Garnet Wolsely made a terrible mistake when be undertook to exercise a censorship over newsp/iper correspondence He may control correspondents, but he cannot control editors who, at a safe distauce from Egypt, criticise his conduct. His dislike of newspapers bids fair to be his mm, for it evidently prevents him from reading them, and thus deprives him of the strategical skill necessary to bring the campaign to a successful close. Nothing is clearer than that Sir Garnet knows nothing of war. In fact, no General ever does. The man who kuows best how to conduct a campaign is the newspaper writer who is farthest fiom the seat of war. This being true, it follows that our esteemed contemporaries in this city do not know Unite as much about the proper way of lighting Arubi as do the distant papers of Oshkash or S.in Francisco, but, ncveithclcss, they know enough to convict Sir Garnet of the grossest mistakes, and to give him advice which, if ho would only follow it, would enable him to win a swift and decisive victoiy. At present, it is known to every newspaper reader, Sir Garnet is guilty of inexcusable delay in attacking Arabi. Tho Hira/rfwis so completely out of patience with him that it heartlessly informed him that '• -Sir Fredrick Roberts would have beer, more prompt" had lie been in command of the aimy in Egypt. This ought to stimulate Sir Garnet to instant activity, but then what is the use of writing reproachfully to a General who will not read the newspapers '. The English General began his campaign well by soiling the Suez Canal. Undoubtedly this plan was suggested to him by some atiay newspaper which had accidentally come under his observation, but still we should give him oicdit for the good sense with which lie adopted it. Since tho seizure of tho Canal lie has evidently depended solely upon himself and, of course, has accomplished nothing. The course which he ought to have adopted is peifectly evident to every intelligent cditoi. Lauding at Isnuiilia, at 2 o'clock p.m., he should have started promptly at 3 for Zagazig. Tins is a place of immense military importance. It is situated at the •junction of several roads, and is provided with three tobacco shops, a quantity of wild dog-s, and a shop for the repair of eanebottom chaiis. Any one can sec at a glauce that the possession of this place would have given the English army the complete control of the Natron lakes, the monastery of Mount Smai, and the Peninsular and Oiicntol ticket office at Suez. Arabi Pasha, taken by surpme by the swift advance of the English upon Zagazig, would have fallen back upon Tabicat in the diicction of Crisscross, would thus have left his left flank uncovered except, by a few clothes-lines and chicken-coops-Hariutj occupied and garrisoned Zagazig, Sir Gainct. without losing more than five or ten minutes time at the utmost, should have marched S.S.E. a quaitcrE. and attached the enemy's position at Crisscross. Doubtless the Egyptians would have made a stand at this place, since it is the key to the pyi mid of (jheops and the Khedive's coal-cellai , and would have fought bravely behind the earthwoi ks. There can, however be little doubt that a determined attack made by the Household Ca\ ah y armed withGatling guns and "Woolwich Infants" would have been successful. The cavalry would have rushed over the eai til- works, blowing the Aiabs from the mouth of the Gatling guns and planting the Union .facie to an immense extent on the fertile plains lying back of Crivseiohrf. Of course this defeat would not only demoicirfcc Aiabi and his followcis, but it would throw open the road to Cano and Ciit^kiil Lauding Sir Garnet could have bought laihvay tickets for Cnuo foi himselt and Ins army and taken the 1.15 tiain for the renowned city. It would have made no resistance. The lew troops left by Aiabi in t'.iuo would have hastened to sell giuumc antiques to the Knglishinen and to induce them to hire donkeys. The war would have been ended within forty-oitjht hours after the landing of the English at Isniailia, and Aiabi would have lied from his native laud and sought safety with the Aiabs of the desert. Instead of listening to the advice of the lln aid and other really able newspapers, Sir Garnet Wolseley is stupidly, waiting for supplies and allowing Zagazig and LYNscrois and Tabicat to remain in the possession of the enemy. This t ilk about supplies is simply disgraceful. AVliy can he not uive each of his soldieis a piece of pic to .satisfy their immediate bungci , and then telc^iaph to the hotelkeeper at Za^wig to have dinner ready the moment the army reaches that place ? Hut what is the use of making suggestions to an incompetent and obstinate man who actually fancies that he knows more about the conduct of a campaign than is Known by ed/toirf five or siv thousand inilet. fiom Egypt 'l — \cw Yoik Tuivb.