At the International Geographical Congress, which hae• been holding its
Session in London during the past week, the most interesting discussion was that on "Tropical Africa and its Development by the White Races." In this discussion Sir John Kirk, Mr. H. M. Stanley, and Slatin Pasha, took part. Slatin Pasha's speech naturally attracted great attention. After contrasting the present condition of the Soudan with that which prevailed under Egyptian rule, Slatin Pasha described how, as a prisoner to the Mahdi and with chains round his neck and feet, he watched the siege of Khartoum. After the city fell, the dissevered head of Gordon was mockingly shown him as he lay in irons. After the retreat of the English from Dongola, Slatin was better treated. He was useful in many ways, and it flattered the vanity of the Khalifa to have as body servant his former master. Slatin had been Governor over the Western Arab tribes, to which the Khalifa was allied by blood. Here is the description of the Khalifa's policy and method of Government ; —" Severe and cruel, he trusted no one and governed despoti- cally, solely according to his own good pleasure. Since he is of the tribe of the Taascha-Bazara (that is the name applied to all the nomadic rearers of horned cattle), and belongs to Darfur, he relies, as a stranger in the Nile valley, only on his kinsmen by blood, the western Arab tribes, and armed slaves ; while he sought to diminish the strength of the native tribes of the Nile valley, the Gjaaliin and Danagla." By disarma- ment, confiscation, executions, and the using up of those capable of bearing arras in distant expeditions, he has so weakened these tribes that they are now compelled to en. dure his rule. It must not be supposed, however, that because the Khalifa is hated, that his rule could be over- thrown at a touch. He is feared as well as hated, and not till he has been soundly beaten in the field will his unwilling followers desert him.
Previous page
