LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2386, 22 April 1884, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. GLOOMY STATE OF AFFAIRS IN SOUDAN. MASSACRE OP THREE HUNDRED REFUGEES. CRITICAL POSITION OF BERBER. GORDON PASHA TO SIR SAMUEL BAKER. PROPOSED APPEAL TO RELIEVE THE GARRISONS. GENERAL GORDON’S DETERMINATION. THE CONFERENCE OF EUROPEAN POWERS. THE QUEEN’S HEALTH. (Received April 21, 9.55 p.m.) Cairo, April 20. Intelligence has reached here showing that the hostility of the Arab tribes in the neighbourhood of Berber is in no way diminished. An attempt was recently made by 300 refugees from Shendy to reach Berber by sailing down the Nile, but the boats were attacked and all the refugees were massacred. Despatches from the Governor of Berber have been received announcing that the town is in a most critical position, being entirely surrounded by Arabs rebels. The Governor is in despair, being unable to retreat and not having received the aid which was looked for. London, April 21. It is rumoured in political circles that a general congress of European Powers is about to be held for the purpose of deciding upon the line of action to be pursued with regard to Egyptian affairs. It has transpired that Sir Samuel Baker recently received a letter from General Gordon, describing the state of affairs in Soudan, and the position of the .garrison at Khartoum, In the course of the letter Gordon Pasha proposed, in view of the inaction which is being displayed by the British Government in the matter, that an appeal should be at once made to wealthy Englishmen and Americans to contribute towards the funds for defraying the expenses of a body of Turkish troops, whose services should be engaged to cover the retreat of the Egyptian garrisons at Khartoum and other fortified towns in the Soudan, (Received April 22, la.m.) It has transpired that General Gordon has telegraphed from Khartoum to the British Government, announcing that he intends henceforth to act according to his own discretion as regards affairs in the Soudan. (Received April 22, 1.30 p.m.) Evening. Arrived, the steamship British Queen, from Wellington, March 6; and the steamship Lusitania, from Melbourne March 8. The meat cargoes of both vessels are believed to be in good condition. The report current that it has been proposed to hold a conference of the European Powers to consider Egyptian affairs is now fully confirmed. The proposal is now under consideration by the y aiigus Governments. It is undet-

stood that the question of Egyptian finance will alone occupy the attention of the conference. (Received April 21, 9.55 p.m.) Darmstadt, April 20. Her Majesty the Queen is recovering from her recent indisposition, and attended church to-day.