EGYPT AND SOUDAN.

Kumara Times, Issue 2530, 31 July 1884, Page 2

EGYPT AND SOUDAN.

MASSACRE OF MALE INHABITANTS OF BERBER. REPORTED FALL OF KHARTOUM. [Per Zealandia at Auckland.] Cairo despatches on June 26th officially confirm the fate of Berber. The city was surprised by rebels at daybreak on May 26th, and after much fighting Hussein Pasha Khalifa, Governor, surrendered, A massacre of male inhabitants followed. Women and childred were spared. Few men escaped. A despatch from Cairo on June 30th says—Colonel Kitchener has returned to Assouan. He reports the country to be quiet. He deuies that the Bishareens have joined El Mahdi, and says the Sheiks are now assembled to decide what course to pursue. Colonel Kitchener believed that Berber had fallen.* He says the gravity of El Mahdi’s movements have not hitherto been grasped. The rebels have issued a fresh warning that they will give no quarter, and their threats have created great terror among the population. The Colonel expects heavy fighting will take place among them after the feast of Ramadan. The people of Korosko are openly hostile to the troops. The Khedive has issued a finnan making Colonel Kitchener Special Commissioner to Abbahas and Bishareens.

Advices from Cairo, July 3rd, say—- “ Letters from Khartoum state that the place was captured during part of May without difficulty. There was no massacre. Most of the Europeans turned Mahomedans. Among those who did not is General Gordon, who is quite safe, and is allowed freedom of El Mabdi’s camp. El Mahdi himself is at Khartoum. The Europeans are well treated. The latest despatches from Cairo, July stb, says the Governor of Dongola telegraphed from Debbeh that he has fought a great battle with the rebels and killed 4000 of their number, losing himself 2000. The news is not believed. The Figaro correspondent, Pain, who recently recently left Isuch to attempt to penetrate to El Obeid, was attacked in the desert by Arabs and robbed. He endeavored to reach the river, but nearly perished by fatigue and thirst. His d ragoman expired from the effect of sunstroke. A fellah found Pain in the desert in almost a dying condition, and carried him to Edfor, where he was arrested, The authorities refused him permission to telegraph to the French Consul. Pain will sue the Egyptian Government for false imprisonment. The minaret of a mosque at Cairo fell, killing a dozen persona.