Firing on both sides still goes on at Suakin, but
active operations are delayed for a moment. It would seem that during General Grenfell's cavalry reconnaisance of the enemy's entrenchments, he discovered certain facts which induced him to modify his previous opinion as to the necessity for more European troops. It is rumoured that the principal of these facts is a certain backwardness in the Egyptian cavalry to face the dervishes ; but this, though probable, is not confirmed, and may be a libel. At all events, representations were made to London which induced the Government to order forward rein- forcements—number not given, but probably fifteen hun- dred men—and the Generals in command will await their arrival on the spot. According to the correspondents, the Delta itself has been almost denuded of European troops, only six hundred being left in it ; but Malta and Cyprus
are both near, and a sudden insurrection. is improbable, un- less we are defeated before Suakin. If that happened, we should entertain grave apprehensions ; but it is the habit of ISIlussulmans to wait for some event indicating, as they think, the forthcoming decree of destiny. One thing is quite clear. We should never have conquered India if Clive had had to work under the English microscope.
Previous page
