October.It having been reported that Mansur Abdel Rahman, a cousin of Sultan Ali Dinar of Darfur, was raiding or collecting taxes from people in Kordofan, Captain Carter proceeded with a small force of Camel Corps from El Eddaiya and surprised the party, numbering some 40 rifles and horsemen, at Sherafa, and captured Mansur, who was subsequently liberated after the restoration of the property he had taken.
Nile-Red Sea Railway.Work on this railway was commenced in November, 1903.
Darfur.During the summer of 1903 one or more treasonable conspiracies to seize the throne of Darfur were nipped in the bud by the present Sultan Ali Dinar. Adam Rijal, the Commandant of Jebel El Hella, and Tirab Suleiman, another important general, both suffered the death penalty in consequence. The ex-Dervish Emirs, Zogal and Karamalla Kirkesawi, were also both mysteriously put out of the way.
In December, 1903, at the Sultan’s request, the boundaries of Darfur were clearly explained to him in writing.
Mahmal.The first Mahmal[215] to leave Darfur for Mecca since the conquest of that country by Zubeir Pasha in 1873 arrived at Khartoum in November. The value of the “Surra”[216] was stated to be about £450. The Mahmal proceeded viâ Suakin to Jedda, and returned to Khartoum at the end of June.
Upper Nile. Thalweg Agreement.A provisional agreement defining the Thalweg of the Nile between N. Lat. 5° and 5° 30′ was drawn up on 13th September by Captain R. C. R. Owen, representing the Sudan Government, and the late General Utterwulghe, on behalf of the Government of the Congo Free State.
Floods.The winter of 1903-04 will be memorable for the exceptional height of the Nile and its tributaries in the Upper Nile region, consequent on which there followed very extensive floods.
Eastern Sudan. Hakos.The brigand Hakos, who had caused considerable annoyance by raiding and robbery along the frontier between the Setit and Gallabat, was reported to have been killed on 16th December near Nogara. Had his career not been thus suddenly terminated, the Emperor Menelik had agreed with the Sudan Government to take combined action against him.
Abyssinian Coal Expedition.An expedition to prospect for coal in the valley of the Goang (Upper Atbara), near Chelga, was despatched by the Sudan Government from Khartoum in December, 1903.
1904. Itang.Captain H. H. Wilson left Kodok on the 23rd December, 1903, with merchants to establish a trading station at Itang on the Baro. After making the preliminary arrangements there he visited Ras Tesemma Nado at Gore. His Excellency, the Governor-General, subsequently visited Itang in May, 1904.