The Pall Mall Gazette from London, Greater London, England • 7

7 PALL MALL GAZETTE. THE FUTURE OF THE SOUDAN. INTERESTING REPORT BY SIR W. E. GARSTIN.

Sir W. E. Garstin; Inspector-General of Irrigation and Under Secretary of Egyptian Public Works, recently made an extended tour through the Soudan, and has embodied the results of his investigations in a report that has been published in Cairo. From the summary forwarded by the Times correspondent it appears that, describine how the main stream of the Nile loses itself in the immense swamp area lying between Shambeh and Lake No, Sir W. E.

Garstin suggests, if the summer water supply is to be increased, that the lost river should be formed into a river again by confining the water to one main artery, thus preventing the immense loss from evaporation in the swamps, a loss approximately estimated at 386 cubic metres per second. The swamp area, when drained, would provide an immense basin available as an escape lor any excess water, besides providing Esypt with the much-needed power of controlling the Nile in flood. With canal and basin irrigation applied to the Blue Nile, Sennar and the southern portion of Khartoum province might become one ot the finest wheat-prod ucing areas in the world, and, by means of the proposed railway connecting Abu-Harraz, Gedaref, and Kassala with the Red Sea, might compete successfully with India. But the scarcity of population, the cost of transport, and the unhealthiness of the country are serious nhstarips in nnv larsre mitlav iiDOn nublic works. Between Khartoum aud Berber the Upper Egypt irrigation system, by a series of large basins on either side ot the river, might be introduced gradually, and be extended as the population returned to this now desolate region.

Meanwhile, pumping stations here and on the Blue Nile would materially assist the return of prosperity. The note insists on the necessity that ail important irrigation schemes over the entire area watered by the Nile aud its tributaries should be i referred to Cairo, as otherwise Egypt might some day be in the same posi- tion for water supply as it the Soudau were held by an unfriendly Power. The vast forests extending from the upper part of the Blue Nile to Abyssinia, as also in Bahr-el-Ghazal province, are an undeveloped source of wealth, but are being felled wastefully, and it is recommended that an Indian forestry officer should be appointed to examine them scientifically. The belt adjacent to the river is becoming reduced, as the gum and other valuable trees are being felled for fuel. Progress must be very slow, and lor a long time the administration of the Soudan will constitute a heavy drain on the Egyptian Treasury.

One of the main difficulties is the depopulation. A generation will probably be reauired to restore the population to even moderate limits, and possibly half a century will pass before it becomes as dense as it was prior to Muhammed Ali's invasion in 1820. Another difficulty is the extreme unhealthiness of the climate south of Khartoum, with the indolent rhnrartsr of the natives, whose wants are extremely few. and who, accus- tomed to having all cultivation aud manual labour performed by black slaves, are not likely soon to change their nature. FORTHCOMING VOLUNTEER REVIEW IN LONDON.

MARCH PAST THE PRINCE OF WALES. THE SITUATION IN THE TRANSVAAL, HOW THE BURGHERS ARE OUTNUMBERED. The news from South Africa to-day is not very exciting. Practically the situation remains unchanged, aud, so far as can be seen, is likely to remain so for some days to come. On the one hand, Mr Chamberlain is awaiting Sir Alfred Milner's written report of the proceedings at Bloem-fontein on he other Oom Paul has adjourned the Raad, so that Us members may take counsel with their constituents.

President Kruger yesterday invited the First Raad at Pretoria to consider his proposals for grautiug increased representation to the gold-fields but as it was discovered that under a law ot 1887 he himselt has the power to create new electoral lists, the subject dropped. Addressing the Second Raad, the President declared, states a Times telegram, that the "forget and forgive" policy would be carried out. Both Raads have adjourned for a fortnight to consult their constituents with regard to the franchise proposals. A meeting of burghers was held at Boxsburg on Wednesday evening, at which resolutions were passed expressing approval of the proposals made by President Kruger at the Bloemfontein Conference. It was declared at the meeting that in view of the fact that the total number ot burghers was 40,000, whereas the Outlanders iu Johannesburg alone numbered 50,000, it was impossible to grant a general extension of the franchise.

A meeting has also been held at Germistowu, at which a resolution of similar tenor was carried. President Kruger has expressed his disapproval of the great Boer meeting announced to be held at Paardekraal next Saturday. FEELING AT THE CAPE. The Outlook to-day received the following cable from its Cape Town There is unbounded satisiaction at the tone ot Sir Allred Milner's despatches, the gist ot which has been cabled here ihe confidence of loyal colonists, British and Dutch, has been restored, but it is leit that any withdrawal from the position taken up by Sir Allred Miluer would be fatal to the prestige of the paramount Power. Ihe South-African League is keeping quiet, fearing to embarrass Sir Alfred Mihier ihe declaration ol Mr.

Rose limes, the leader ot the Independent Moderates in the Assembly, that Sir Alfred Milner's demands represent the irreducible minimum, gives a check to the extremists ot the Afrikander Bond, who have alwavs hoped that in the event of a collision between the I rausvaa aud the Imperial Government the Moderate Independents would act with them. The situation in the Taansvaal continues grave. Johannesburgers ate sending away their women and children I am reliably iniormed that President Kruger himself would yield to further pressure, but the burghers are much divided, aud it is doubtful if they will endorse the latest franchise proposals of the President. It may be taken as a lact that the military preparations of the ransvaal Government are very complete, except in the items of horses aud stores. In the event of hostilities, Kimberley would be the objective ot the Boer attack Their tactics on the Natal frontier would be defensive.

Volkrust, -bout four miles from the British frontier, has been strengthened, and mines have been laid iu the direction ot Charlestown ana the railway tunnel close by. Nothing need be feared irom the colonial Dutch. DEPARTURE OF MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S BROTHER FOR SWITZERLAND. Mr.

Chamberlain, a brother of the Colonial Secretary, left Charing Cross this morning with a party of ladies for Switzerland travelling in a specially reserved saloon attached to the eleven o'clock boat train. In reference to a rumour that this saloon had been reserved tor the Colonial Secretary. Mr. Chamberlain informed a representative otthe Press Association that he did not think the right hon. gentleman had tms in nnud when he referred iu the House last night to rumours "published lor obvious purposes," for it was the result ot a palpaole blunder.

The Press Association adds that the error was not on the part of ho rilwav company, for the order for the saloon was in the name thYRffHon! Joseph Chamberlain, M.P me labels lor the saloon, made out accordingly, were only changed this morning, the officials having seen from Mr. Joseph Chamberlain statement that their instructions must be based on a misuhderstaudiug. "THE BIBLE-WOT'S THAT?" AN INCIDENT AT AN INQUEST. A boy nine years of age was oue of the candidates for the witness-box at an inquest held bv Mr'. Laugham at Horselydown yesterday.

The Coroner: Do" you know what it means to speak the truth, my boy The little fellow gave no answer, but looked rouud frightened. The Coroner Do'you go to school The Bov (quickly): Yus, sir. The Coroner What do you go to school for i The Boy 'Cos I 'as to. The Coroner: Yes, but what do they teach you? The Boy Sums and lessons and lots 5er rings. The Coroner But don't they teach you the Bible The Boy The Bible wot's that The Coroner Haven't you ever seen or heard of the Bible The Boy No, sir.

The Coroner: I am afraid this lad's evidence cannot be taken, as hi3 education appears sadly at fault. The Foreman of the Jury (to the lad) Have you never heard of God, who punishes boys who tell stories The boy gave no reply, but looked inquiringly at Mr. Langnam, who thereupon said it was useless to press the matter further. THE BURIAL ALIVE NIGHTMARE. There are many societies in existence about which the public know little or nothing.

Tiie London Association for Prevention of Premature Burial mav, perhaps, be classed among the number. A meeting of the executive ot the Society was. held yesterday, and the following resolution was unanimously rjassed "This committee, in the name of the Association, desires to call attention to the great support accorded by the public to Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and to Children in any shape or form, and regrets that the public is not equally sensitive to the unspeakable cruelty involved in treating as dead living persons who are only apparently deceased, as is known to have occurred in many well-authenticated cases premature burial. This cruelty could be effectually prevented by an adequate system of death verification by specially appointed medical officers. The present lax system of death certification is a scandal to civilization, a fact which is acknowledged by many eminent medical authorities THE FRENCH CABINET CRISIS.

DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY OF M. POINCARE. From Our Own Correspondent. Paris, Thursday. The impression prevails to-night that there is every likelihood that M.

Poincare will succeed in forming a Cabinet. This delicate operation, however, always goes on amid such rampant intrigue that it is early as yet to say what to-morrow may bring forth. Should She prospective Government come into being it is fairly certain that it will be a Cabinet of conciliation rather than a Cabinet da combat. In accordance with his past, which is that of a Moderate Republican or of a co-worker with M. Meline, M.

Poincare would seem to have declined the invitation of the Radicals to desert into their camp. The expected presence in his Ministry of M. Ribot is a guarantee that he does not propose to lend him-selt to anything in the nature of exaggerated or uutimely reprisals against the army. It will be remembered that it was due to the intervention of Ribot that the Chamber decided a few days ago not to consider the question of the prosecution of General Mercier until after the verdict of tiie Renues court-martial. At the same time the Cabinet will be Dreyfusard enough to please everybody oi this persuasion except the leading Dreyfusard agitators, who, indeed, would only be content with Colonel Picquart at the War Office and M.

Trarieux as Minister of Justice. M. Poincare was, with M. Barthou, one oi the first of the Moderate Republicans to declare himself a partisan of revision. M.

Ribot has Ions been branded a Dreyfusard by the same opconents who used to stigmatize him as a friend of Great Britain. the senator who is likely to take the Ministry of Justice, is another staunch revisionist. The Radicalism of the embryonic Cabinet is far less uncompromising. I have already said that there is nothing whatever of the Radical about M. Poiucare himself.

It is thought that M. Sarrien will be the most prominent member of the Lett among his coadjutors, and M. Sarrien though esteemed by his friends in theory, is suspected in practice. His detractors declare that he is bold enough to call himself a Radical, but lacks the courage to act as one. The Radicals, indeed, are already crying from the house-tops their extreme dissatislaction with the proposed combination.

At the outbreak of the crisis their enthusiasm for M. Poincare was boundless. They promised him their unconditional support, and now that he is in a iair way to succeed they are disposed to turn and reud him. These are the habitual tactics of the party. The Radicals are always lavish of promises; they never fulfil them, and their support is only to be purchased at the price of giving them all they ask for and a little more a little, that is, of what iheir friends the Socialists demand.

Should the Poincare combination come to nothing it will be the Radicals who will have rendered it abortive, and should it be realized the Radicals will set to work immediately. It will be a miracle if a Poincare Ministry does not find iiseli governing with the help ot the Right within a very lew weeks alter taking office. Happily it is such Ministi those that live the longest, and do the least mischief. It is even the class ot Cabinet uuder which those famous "Republican institutions are the safest. Under M.

Meline no committee for safeguarding the Republic was found necessary. To-day after a year of Radical rule under M. Brisson and M. Dupuy such a committee is supposed to be indispensable, aud at any rate has been created. M.

POINCARE PERSISTS IN HIS EFFORTS. Paris, Friday. The newspapers this morning publish contradictory reports regarding M. Poincare's efforts to form a Cabinet. On the one hand, it is said that the Ministry will be constituted to-day, and on the other, the negotiations will have to be recommenced owing to M.

Sarrien's reiusal to accept office in a Cabinet to which M. Barthou belonged. The Republican and Moderate journals are agreed that M. Poincare will continue his steps, and is determined to form a Cabinet with or without the assistance ot the Radicals. The Estafette says that Constaus may become Minister of the Interior, retiring irom ConstantinoDJe or that purpose.

The Eclair learns that M. Poincare has stated that" he is resolved to give a portfolio to M. Barthou, notwithstanding the opposition of the Radicals Renter. A NEW BROOM. M.

Meline has urged M. Poincare to endeavour to form a Cabinet whose exclusive programme should be the final settlement of the Dreyfus case. The Kadicais and Socialists regard M. Poincare's list as too flabby to wind up the Affaire, but the Daily fiezvs Paris correspondent says that it he succeed in forming a Ministry there will be a very new broom when Dreylus lauds at Brest. YELLOW FEVER IN BRAZIL.

MANY ENGLISH VICTIMS. Cable advices received in Liverpool from Bahia, Brazil, report a serious outbreak oi yellow fever, which has caused the death of a number of English people and several natives. Details have also been received reporting the deaths of three young men Irom Liverpool and Birkenhead. Their names are Egerfon Holland, ot Hootou, Arthur Roberts, of Birkenhead, andK Cave, of Liverpool. The three young men were engaged in the same office at Bahia, and died within three weeks.

The English chaplain, a Dublin clergyman, also died of vellow fever some weeks previously. His wife anrilamilv were about to leave Dublin to join him when the news of his death reached that city. The disease is said to be oi the most malignant type. "CARPET-BAGGERS" OF THE DESERT. It is announced this morning that the escort for the Holy Carpet; which is sent annually with great solemnities from Cairo to Mecca, has been attacked on the way to the coast by Bedouins.

Ihe carpet appears to have been captured alter the loss of some ot the lives "of its defenders, and is now, it is said, being held to ransom for 600. This sacred carpet is really a silk covering for theKaaba an Arab word meaning "a square aud applied to an obloin; stone building within the great mosque at Mecca. It was at I heDes that the first carpet was found. The Holy Carpet is regarded by the Islamites with the veneration that attaches to the Holy Coat ot i.reves when it is exhibited to the gaze of the Catholics every twenty-five years. Wonderlul stories are told iu the East of carpets, such, for instance, as Solomon's carpet and the magic carpet of Tangu iu the Arabian JNigiits.

Occasion is being taken of the centenary ot the first volunteer review ever held in Hyde Park to mark the event by a Royal review of all the volunteer brigades in London this year. The Prince of Wales, with a brilliant staff, and accompanied by the Commander-in-Chief and the Officers of the Headquarters of the Army and the Home District, with the Duke of Cambridge, and the Dukes of Couuaught and York, will leave Marlborough House at five o'clock on the evening ot the 8th ot July, lor the Horse Guards Parade, riding in procession in a similar manner to the attendance at the trooping of the colour on the Queen's birthdav. The Prince will take post in the middle of the Horse Guards Parade in front of two grand stands that are to be erected along almost the whole length of the 'Parade from the Admiralty to Downing-street, aud providing seating accommodation for 4,000 people. In a conspicuous place in front ol these stands will be paraded all the veteran Volunteers who have now left the service, or who may be unable to take part in the march past. Early in the afternoon Volunteers from all parts of the metropolitan commands will assemble in their proper brigades at places set apart for them in the Green Park, Constitution-hill, the Mall, St.

James's Park, and the space bordering upon the new Admiralty buildings. Their formation will be strictly accurate as to brigades, and they will be headed bv the Hon. Artillery Company of London, followed by the 2nd aud 3rd Middlesex Artillery, and the 1st City of Loudon Artillery, with Fortress and Railway Koyal Engineers. The infantry brigades will follow. These will include the Home Counties, East Loudon, North, South, West, and Surrey Brigades.

The Medical Staff Corps and cadet battalions will bring up the rear. At 5.15, on a signal, the whole of the Volunteers will commence to move towards the saluting base, aud it is stated that, marching, at a quick march throughout, they will take an hour and a half to pass the Prince of Wales. The men will march down from the Mall, past the Admiralty, on to the Parade, aud alter passing the saluting point will debouch off the ground, some going away by Storey's-gate, while others will depart by Birdcage-walk. The bauds ot each regiment will attend, and each brigade will be dayed past by their bands. The Guards will keep and a'lso furnish a guard of honour for the Prince of Wales, aud.

the Royal Horse Guards will be employed with the police in keeping the roads. The general arrangements have been made on the lines of the occasion when the Queen reviewed the troops that had taken part iu the campaign against Arabi Pasha, which was held on the same ground in 1882. SIR JOHN AUSTIN AND HIS CONSTITUENTS A LIVELY MEETING AT PONTEFRACT. A well-attended meeting of the Osgoldcross Liberal Association was held at Pontefraet yesterday to consider the action of Sir Johu Austin, M.P. in voting against the Scotch Local Veto Bill and the Church Discipline Mr.

F. Andrews, chairman of the association, presided. He said he had decided to attend the meeting, although he resigned at the Goole meeting a fortnight ago, because he thought the council should deal with his resignation. He explained that the executive meeting had been called at the request of tiie members, who said they wanted Sir John Austin to explain why he was oue of the four Liberals who voted against Scotch iocalyeto. Sir John Austin practically repeated his explanation given at Goole, aud expressed his intention of voting against the English Local Veto Bill, to be introduced next Wednesday.

Much discussion followed and a vote of censure was proposed. A vote of confidence was moved as an amendment and received twenty-eight votes against twenty-nine. A further amendment was then proposed expressing regret at Sir John Austin's action, but declaring that, "in view ot the terms oi his election address, thehon. member had not broken any of his pledges to the association. This was seconded and carried by an enormous majority.

Several speakers denied the right of teetotallers to dictate to the association especially as Sir John Austin had beeu a faithful and able represeuta-live'in Parliament. The meeting adopted another resolution, referring the matter to the executive to see if they could adjust the dispute and report to a future meeting, so that peace might be restored. It was also unanimously resolved that the resignation of the chairman aud executive be not accepted. CAMBRIDGE NATURAL SCIENCES TRIPOS. PART II.

First of King's; Laidlaw, of Trinity Taylor, of Downing: and Yapp, of St. John's. Women Miss S. O. Ford, of Newnham and Miss G.

L. Matthaei, of Newnham. Historical Tripos. First Class. Beaumont, of Pembroke; Conolly, of Trinity; Pigou, of King's Seward, of King's, and Spalding, of Jesus.

Women Miss M. I. Gordon, of Girtou and Miss E. E. Warrell, ot Newnham.

Oriental Languages. First Class. G. A. Khan, of Christ's.

Women students, telegraphs our Cambridge correspondent have done brilliantly to-dav, achieving much higher honours than iu Mathematics. In Natural Science; Part Class tour women equal the highest men. In Part Class Misses Ford and Matthaei, Newnham students, qualify with four men. In History the names of five men and Misses Gordon, of Girtou, and Warrell, of 'Newnham, appear in the first class. Those interested in sport are also meeting with wonderful success.

In Natural Sciences three well known "sports" achieve the highest posible honours, these being A. Hacking, the Rugby Blue; Howlett, an all-round athlete, of Christ's and C. T. Scott, the Sidney footballer and oarsman. E.

E. Walker, of Trinity football renown, also passed in first class. The German Emperor left Potsdam shortly before six o'clock this morning for Hanover THE SULTAN OBJECTS TO ARBITRATION. Constantinople, Thursday Palace-is much concerned at the attitude of the International Peace Conference towards the cjuesuon of the establishment ot an International Court of Arbitration, and the Su tan is decidedly opposed to the scheme. The matter was under consideration at several special councils of Ministers recently held, aud it was decided to instruct the Ottoman delegates at The Hague to oppose the proposal.

Renter. ANTI-FOREIGN OUTBREAK IN CHINA. Shanghai, North China Daily News publishes a telegra from Foochow reporting a serious ami-foreign o.utDreak at en-i ung. ihe church and the mission station have been burned dow. sionaries have had to flee.

They have reached Ning-hwa on their way to Foochow. Renter. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. Admiral Sir Edmund Fremantle relinquished his aw mentis morniuf? as Naval Commander-in-Chief at Devonport, and was succeeaea bv Admirfll Sir Henrv Fairfax. The flag of the new Port Admiral was hoisted been exchanged between the incoming aud retiring Ad held at Admiralty House for the purpose of 'Sg officers ot the port aud the heads of the establishment to Admiral fcutax.

AFLFET OF FRENCH FISHING BOATS OFF FOLKESTONE. A fleet of French fishing boats appeared Were ivamiri nff hv the a-riva of the guardiug gunboat. Hits morniu t.ie and gear were confiscated. A destructive fire occurred tins SX BuishiDjE the flames. Great damage has oeen done to the vessel ana caico.

TEACHING A CHILD TO SWEAR. In the Divorce Court to day Mrs. Irene Perronet Lowe, petitioned! Mr. Justice Barnes and a special jury lor a dissolution of her marriage on the ground of the cruelty and misconduct of her husband, Mr. Edward Aubrey Courtlaud Lowe.

There was no defence. The petitioner stated that her husband, to whom she was married at the parish church of Wetherfield, Essex, on February 12, 1893, had a violent temper, and would throw things at her across the "table at meal times. He had thrown a bunch of grapes and pieces of bread at her, aud he had also taught the chiid to swear at its mother, telling the boy that if he called his mother a fool he would givehim a piece of chocolate. There were several allegations of crueltv, but only one was gone into, it having been ascertained that in December, 1896, he had taken a woman to the Hotel Metropole, Brighton, where he stayed with her. A cross charge, which was abandoned, was made against the petitioner iu connection with Mr.

Denham Parker. This the petitioner indignantly denied, as did Mr. Parker, who was called as a witness. The jury found for the petitioner, and his lordship granted the petitioner a decree nisi with costs and the custody ol he child..