THE WAR IN SOUDAN.

Kumara Times, Issue 2350, 10 March 1884, Page 2

THE WAR IN SOUDAN.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright, BRITISH TROOPS RETURNING TO SEA PORTS. FLIGHT OF TOKAR INHABITANTS TO SOUAKIM. ADMIRAL HEWETT ON A MISSION TO ABYSSINIA. THE REBELS UNDER OSMAN DIQUCH. HOSTILITIES IN KORDOFAN.—DEFEAT OF ARABS. BRITISH TROOPS FOR THE UPPER NILE. ORDERS TO THE REBELS TO DISPERSE. RECONNOITRING THE ENEMY’S POSITION. (Received March. 9, 11 a.m.) Cairo, March 4. Telegrams are to hand from Souakim stating the British troops at Tokar and other places in the neighborhood are returning to Trinkitat, where the whole force will concentrate to-morrow, prior to being embarked. The destination of the transports is not definitelv known, but it is expected they will cenvey the troops to Souakim. Intelligence is to hand that a considerable number of the inhabitants of Tokar and the Egyptian troops who formed the garrison at that town prior to its relief by General Graham,' are now arriving at Souakim. March 5. Latest telegrams from Souakim report that Admiral Hewett, commanding the East Indian Squadron, will very shortly proceed on a mission to Abyssinia. The object of the same has not, however, transpired. Major-General Graham, commanding the British forces of Soudan, has arrived at Souakim from Trinkitat. Evening. To-day’s despatches from Souakim state that the rebels under Osman Diquch, who were encamped near that place, have assumed a bellicose attitude. The British troops from Trinkitat are now proceeding to that place, and will disembark at the point to the southward of Souakim, from whence it is expected an advance will be made against the rebels. March 6. Intelligence has been received to-day that the British from Trinkitat have arrived at Souakim, and landed there, the orders to disembark them at the southward having been countermanded. News is to hand that hostililies have broken out in Kordofan between the rebel and certain loyal tribes. An engagement was recently fought at a place to the northward of Obeicl, The followers of El Mahdi mustered fully one thousand, but the loyal Arabs mustered in strong force and inflicted a severe defeat on the rebels. March 7. The First and Second Battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment have been ordered to proceed to Siout, a town about 150 miles south of this city, on the Upper Nile, Egypt. The nlti mate destination of these troops has nolj transpired.

(Received March 10, 11.30 a.m.) March 8, morning. Latest telegrams from Souakim announce that General Graham has ordered the rebels under Osman Diquch to disperse, but that no heed has been taken of the summons. It is rumoured that Osman’s followers are deserting him. The Hussars at Souakim have been sent to reconnoitre the enemy’s position; but General Graham has given strict orders that they are not to advance unless there is a certainty of finding Osman, A number of Arab Sheiks have arrived at Sonakira.