THE WAR IN SOUDAN.

Kumara Times, Issue 2630, 10 February 1885, Page 2

THE WAR IN SOUDAN.

[REUTERS TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright. >-—< MORE BRITISH TROOPS FOR SOUDAN. GORDON'S FATE UNKNOWN. THE WRECKED ROYAL SUSSEX DETACHMENT. ORDER FOR CAMPAIGN TO BE CONTINUED. CONTEMPLATED EVACUATION OF EGYPT. ATTACK ON THE BRITISH CONVOY NEAR GAKDUL. REPULSE OF THE REBELS AFTER SEVERE SHELLING.

THE ITALIAN OCCUPATION OF MASSOWAH. FORMAL PROTEST OF EGYPTIAN OFFCIALS.

(Received February 10, 1.10 a.m.) London, February 9. It is stated that Government intended to dispatch reinforcements to the number of eight thousand to Soudan under the command of Major General Newdigate, and that the force will proceed to Souakim, and thence to Berber.

General Wolseley telegraphs that nothing is known as to the fate of Gordon.

As regards Sir Charles Wilson and party, he believes they have been rescued from the island near the Shabuki Cataract.

It ia reported that the Cabinet has instructed Wolseley that, in the event of Gordon being dead, the campaign be continued until the rebellion is quelled. It has transpired that Earl Granville has informed Fehmi Pasha, the Egyptian Finance Minister now in London, that England intends to evacute Egypt, but that it is impossible at the present time to fix the date for the withdrawal of troops. (Received February 10, 1.5 p.m.) Evening. It is announced that the following reinforcements are ordered to Egypt:— 20th Hussars and three battalions of the Guards, from England; four battalions of Infantry, from Malta and Gibraltar; and two battalious of Infantry and a Cavalry Regiment, from India. Cairo, February 9. News to hand from Korti states that the British convoy was recently attacked near Gakdul by a body of rebels numbering over a thousaud. Heavy fighting took place, with the result that the rebels were repulsed after some severe shelling from the British guns. The Italian expedition, despatched from Naples, has occupied Massowah, in the Red Sea, without resistance; but the Egyptian officials formally protested against the occupants.