The scope of the little war in the Soudan is
widening. According to the latest accounts Osman Digna, with fifteen thonsandlighting men, has arrived within thirty miles of Suakin, and is threatening that port and Tokar. At the same time the Dervishes are pouring into Dongola and reconnoitring further North, with an obvious intention of getting behind the British force should it continue its march. The Khalifa, who was once a great fighting man, is said to be fairly roused by the British advance ; he is collecting his forces, and it is conjectured that he will expect British troops to be sent to the front, and will, if he can, attack before their arrival. The general opinion of experts is that the Egyptian army is not strong enough to defend Suakin, protect the friendly tribes between that point and Berber, and hold the route to Dongola all at the same time. The Government is therefore advised to summon a small corps d'armix—say, ten thousand men of all arms—from India, who would break up Osman Digna's force, and threaten the rear of the Dervishes in front of the Egyptian army. The plan to be adopted is not known ; but it is evident that the affair is getting too big for the Egyptian army unassisted. Many of the desert Sheikhs are offering assistance, but it is in the actual fighting that we shall want numbers, and their value in battle is only doubtful. Probably they would prove good soldiers so long as things went well. The correspondents, we note, all assume that there is plenty of time ; but that is not quite so certain. The Dervishes are not waiting for the rising of the Nile, and are almost inde- pendent of commissariat.
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