M. Ferry is unlucky. We have just mentioned elsewhere the
great stake held by France in this affair, and may add here that Mahommed Ahmed was reported months ago to be in full communication with the chiefs of the great monastic societies whose stations extend south of Tunis to an indefinite depth into Africa. If that is true, and it is most probable, the defeat of General Hicks will arouse the fanaticism of all North Africa, and probably bring the tribes at once into the field. The French will do well to expect a general and a formid- able insurrection, and especially an invasion of Tunis from the great tribes which retreated a year ago into Tripoli, there to await their chance. It is by no means impossible—it is rather possible, so closely is the world bound now—that General Hicks, in resolving on his audacious march into Equatorial Africa, saved Tonquin to the Chinese Empire and the Hovas from subjugation.
