The examination was severe and precise, but the Sirdar says that the army passed it to his complete satisfaction. The occupation of the Lado country compelled the Government to send half of the Fourteenth Sudanese Regiment from Khartoum. But this force is insufficient, and a full regiment is needed to guard only the northern part of this vast country with adequate security. Furthermore, the scarcity of reserve troops that the Government can deploy from Khartoum, and the vastness of the country to which they might need to be deployed, make ease of movement of paramount importance. Therefore, extending the railway south of Khartoum was of immense military benefit. As for the number of army personnel, the Egyptian Government has arranged sufficient funds to bring the Fourteenth Sudanese Regiment to its full strength, the reason for this completion being the occupation of the Lado country, as we have stated. Fortunately, the difficulty they were encountering in finding suitable recruits has been overcome, as the inhabitants of the new province have shown a strong inclination towards military service, and many of them have come forward for enlistment. If this enthusiasm continues, it will be possible to complete all Sudanese units in the current year. Funds have also been arranged to add a double block to the Arab Regiment and to complete the fifth and final camel corps block, so that it will be equivalent to the other four blocks. Work is still ongoing to replace Egyptians with Sudanese in the units and detachments stationed south of Khartoum, or those with detachments stationed south of Khartoum. This leads to increased efficiency, saving the time and effort that was lost due to illness in hospitals. The usual field exercises were conducted, and it was evident that the Sudanese soldiers are overcoming their innate tendency to fire their weapons and burn gunpowder quickly and without order. The battles that took place in the mountains showed that the signaling system needs attention, despite the considerable time and effort spent on it in recent years. In the early part of the year, three blocks of old Sudanese soldiers in the reserve were requested for training, and the report on them testified to their competence.