Funds were provided this year for a maternity school. The buildings are being constructed.

Dr. J. B. Christopherson, C.B.E., who has done valuable work as Director of the ETiartoum and Omdurman Civil Hospitals for many years, retired on pension in May 1919.

XL—CONCLUSION.

The war has on the whole been a period of marked economic prosperity for tiie Soudan. The possibilities and advantages of trade have been brougnt home to a largei number of the population than before, and there has been an advance in energy aiuT initiative, particularly among those who make their living by cultivation.

Politically, also, the war has had a considerable effect. I cannot say that at the outset the issues involved were properly appreciated by the bulk of the people, but among the more intelligent and educated men there were many who realised how much was at stake. These have not ceased to identify themselves with our cause and to show their confidence in a victorious conclusion of the war by every means in their power, both by loyal messages and speeches, and by active assistance on every occasion when the Government has made calls upon their services. As time went on their sentiments communicated themselves to the mass of the people, who gave striking confirmation of their good-will and loyalty towards us by the readiness with which they responded to the demand of camels, cattle, and grain for the Expeditionary Force in Egypt.

The spirit of co-operation thus engendered has, I believe, not only drawn the people closer to the Government, but has induced a more definite sense of unity among themselves, which will, I am convinced, have a high value in their future development.

I cannot close this report without expressing my sense of the high services rendered by the whole staff of the country, both military and civil, during the past five years. When the war broke out their lot seemed a hard one. It was the first wish, of probably every Briton in this country to take a more active share in the conflict with Germany than their routine of duties out here appeared to afford them. The gratification of this wish was of necessity denied them. Had resignations been permitted to take place freely the country would have been left with no British officers or officials of military age and fitness. The intimation that their duty lay in this country has been loyally accepted, and no effort has been grudged to maintain the efficiency of the administration throughout a difficult time. The burden has been increased by the addition of the numerous special duties inevitably created by the circumstances of the war, and has been accentuated by the curtailment of leave and the difficulty of filling the vacancies that the normal casualties of the service have caused. That we can look back with satisfaction on these past years, and can even record progress, is due in no small degree to the steady and conscientious work performed by all.

LEE STACK, Major-General, Governor-General of the Soudan. Khartoum, A'pril 25, 1920.

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