284 
THE EASTERN SOUDAN 
men on an average throughout, as I had to detach men from time to time as escorts 
for prisoners sent to Kassala. I cordially agree with what the last speaker has 
said, regarding the way Colonel Parsons has omitted all reference to himself in 
his lecture. No one knows better than I do the numerous difficulties he had to 
contend with; lack of British officers, lack of men, lack of transport, difficulties 
with natives over money transactions, besides endless other worrying matters. I 
think also that I am right in stating that it was left a good deal to Colonel 
Parsons’ discretion whether he should advance on Gedarif. If this is the case 
it is to the credit of Colonel Parsons that he hardened his heart to undertake 
the responsibility of what was decidedly a risky expedition. (Applause). 
REPLY. 
Colonel Parsons : With reference to Count Gleichen’s enquiry about the com¬ 
position of the Arab battalion, I have details, but not here; speaking generally, 
it consisted of about 500 men of four companies and they were commanded by 
two British officers who had under them four Egyptian officers. Each company, 
of 125 rank and file, was commanded by an Egyptian officer, and was armed with 
the Vitelli magazine rifle. As regards the future of the Eastern Soudan I should 
not like to predict what will take place; the present organization allows for a 
British officer at Suakin, who is in charge of the sub-district there, and there is a 
British officer for Kassala and a British officer for Gedarif; formerly there was 
an officer commanding the Eastern Soudan but he has been done away with. 
I ought to have stated in my lecture that the dotted lines on the map are 
intended to represent Egyptian telegraphs, as the line was laid before Mahdism 
broke out. The perfection of that system is remarkable. There was a telegraph 
line as far as Metemma on the borders of Abyssinia and a line running to El Obeid. 
With regard to the future railway system in the Eastern Soudan, the line that 
suggests itself is the line up the Atbara from Berber to Adarama, and from 
Adarama to Suakin and Kassala. Between Adarama and Suakin there are no 
engineering difficulties till north-east of Sinkat, when there is rather a big- 
drop of about 8,000 feet into the Suakin plain. The alternative route from 
Suakin to Berber is undoubtedly throughout its entire length a difficult line 
to construct. The line to Kassala from Adarama is easy, running along the 
banks of the Atbara to Goz Rejeb, and thence branching to Kassala following the 
old telegraph line. The main line could be continued from Goz Kejeb to 
Mugatta and Gedarif along a level plain. By connecting Kassala and Suakin via 
Adarama, a great difficulty in connection with the Khor Baraka is avoided, as 
owing to the number of transverse khors running from east and west into it, 
the amount of expensive bridging required in connection with a railway running 
north and south along the Khor Baraka would be considerable.- I think the 
Eastern Soudan Railway would pay eventually when trade is developed. Gedarif 
is the granary of the Eastern Soudan, it could provide grain for local require¬ 
ments and still have a large surplus for exportation. Excepting in durra, -gum, 
ivory, and feathers there is little trade. Sheep and cattle are of a poor description 
and in no great quantities. Cotton stuffs and Manchester goods were being im¬ 
ported by the Greeks and sold at large profits to the natives in December last. 
There are no minerals that I have heard of, not even about Suakin; the only district 
where minerals are likely to be found is in the Beni Shungel country, far south of 
Gedarif on the Abyssinian frontiers (applause). 
General Maurice : I think, ladies and gentlemen, I have nothing to say my¬ 
self except that I have been anticipated in the one remark I had to make, namely 
that Colonel Parsons has very much diminished the interest of the lecture for us 
by the great modesty with which he has excluded the personal element through¬ 
out (great applause); therefore I think I can only conclude by offering your very 
hearty thanks to Colonel Parsons for the very interesting lecture he has given us 
(cheers). 
