THE WAR IN SOUDAN.

Kumara Times, Issue 2345, 4 March 1884, Page 2

THE WAR IN SOUDAN.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. THE ATTEMPT TO PACIFY WHITE NILE TRIBES. COLONEL STEWART’S MISSION. BAKER PASHA AND COLONEL BURNABY. OSMAN DIGNA’S ENCAMPMENT. ANOTHER BATTLE WITH THE REBELS EXPECTED. MOVEMENTS OF THE BRITISH TROOPS NEAR TOKAR. MAJOR GORDON AND THE ARAB CHIEFS. DOMESTIC SLAVERY. SPREAD OF THE REBELLION. (Received March 3, 10 p.m.) Cairo, March 2. Intelligence has been received here from Colonel Stewart, who was despatched some weeks ago to the White Nile districts, in the extreme south of Nubia, with the object of endeavouring to pacify the native tribes who were joining El Mahdi’s ranks. Colonel Stewart reports that his mission has proved a failure, all efforts to pacify the rebellious tribes having been futile. (Received March 4, 1 a.m.) Latest intelligence from Suakim states that Baker Pasha and Colonel Burnaby, who were wounded during the battle yesterday, are progressing favorably. Osman Digna is now encamped at a distance of eight miles from Souakira, and it is expected that another battle between the rebels and the British troops will shortly take place. >——< [SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE AGE.] London, February 20. Advices from Soudan say that a portion of the British troops intended for the relief of Tokar arrived at Trinkifcat and are being disembarked as rapidly as possible. Major-General Sir George Graham, who has been despatched with reinforcements for the relief of Tokar, is expected to arrive at Souakim on Friday with 5000 soldiers. Should this expectation be fulfilled, they will reach Trinkitat on Saturday, and General Graham will unite his men with the British troops already arrived, and an attack on Osman Digna and the insurgents mlio are investing Tokar will bo made on Sunday. Should these arrangements be carried out, it is feared

that the British troops are inadequately supplied with stores. Major-General Gordon, who is at Khartoum, has convened a meeting of Arab chiefs, and discussed the whole subject of the rebellion. General Graham explained that the British troops would evacuate Soudan as soon as the siege of Tokar has been raised or the garrison rescued. This explanation was received by the Arabs with satisfaction. The proclamation issued by General Gordon has been confirmed by the Egyptain Government. February 21. In the interview with the Arab chiefs, General Gordon assured them that domestic slavery should be protected. According to the latest telegrams Osman Digna has a force of 30,000 insurgents in waiting to intercept British troops sent to the relief of Tokar. February 25. Admiral Hewett reports, that the Nubians among the British troops at Souakim are in a state of mutiny. Major-General Graham and Baker Pasha are at Trinkitat. Small-pox has broken out among the troops on board the transport steamer Thibet. Tho detachment of British troops at Trinkitat will advance on Tuesday or Wednesday, with the object of burying the bodies of those officers who were killed at the beginning of the engagement when Baker Pasha was defeated. It is reported that the rebellion is spreading, and that the Arabs at Berber and Khartoum have revolted.