NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE expedition to Dongola is fully sanctioned by the British and Egyptian Governments, and the troops are already collecting at Wady Haifa. The force will consist of five thousand Nubians and four thousand Egyptian con- scripts, commanded by their English officers, and guided by a large English staff. It is believed that General Kitchener, the Commander-in-Chief in Egypt, will accompany or com- mand them; but as yet no British regiment has been in- cluded in the force. Two such regiments will, however, be stationed at Wady Haifa in reserve, and there are signs that the Indian Government has been directed to hold a force in readiness for instant despatch at Kurrachee or Bombay. This force, in case either of disaster or of an enlargement of the present design, would land at Suakin, and march on Berber. Such questions must be left with Lord Wolseley, but we must repeat that, when the consequences of defeat would be so disastrous, it seems bad policy not to begin with the strongest force disposable. Two Sikh regi- ments might make all the difference.
