Soudan Affairs

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 9, 2 July 1885, Page 3

Soudan Affairs

A. special message, dated 24th May says the withdrawal of British troops from tho Soudaii has bad the expected effect of reviving and immensely strengthening the power of Osman Digna among the Bed Sea littoral tribes, whicli hare been wavering in their choice between an alltgianre to the Mahdi or Great Britain. They now declare for the former, and with them hare gone thousands of Arabs who had declared their friendship for England. Many hundreds had absconded from the British camp itself, and carried with them arms with which they were supplied. The Britith evacuated Hnn.lub. on 24th May, under a galling fire, part of which came from their own rifles in the Lands of the treacherous enemy. An armoured train at Suukim surprised a body of rebels on the 24th tearing up the rails of the .New Railway, and opened fire on them, killing several hundred)!. The Guards, stopped at Alexandria while en route from Suakim to England, have gone into camo to await further orders. Emisaarie* from El Mahdi now daily enter Suakim. The sick soldiers in Suakim are increasing in numbers. The ladian troops suffer terribly, and the rebel forces are beginning to renew their attacks on Sunkim. More tribes, hitherto friendly to the English, are wavering in their fealty. EL Mahdi has sent ten guns and a supply of arms and ammunition to Osman Digna. Tho Engliak troops will leave Assouan about tho middle of June for Cairo at tho rate •f 1500 a week. The rebels hare occupied Korti, and it ii expected they will advance upon l>ongola when the English are gone.