Egypt.

Manawatu Herald, 24 September 1896, Page 2

Egypt.

♦ ■'■■ - ■ . _ * _„ Kerman, which ie about four miles above the Third Cataract of the Nile, and some 80 miles from Dongola, has been occupied by the Anglo-Egyptian force without op* position. The Dervishes have retreated upon Hafn 1 , situated nearly opposite Kerman. While crossing the river lost heavily. Commander Colville and four Egyptians were wounded in the engagement. . Throe gunboats sink the Der- . viehes' steatnor, silenced the river. forts, and proceeded on their way to Dongola. 1 One of the steamers got ashore in ; passing the Third Cataract. As Ibe Anglo Egyptian force i advanced from Herman, tha- Dervisiles retired towards Dongola. 1 Bishara, iheir leader, wa* severely wound, d The gunboats occupied Dongola unopposed and seized the grain store?, treasury and twenty.five grain--1 laden boat?. The Hafir country . provides ft , plentiful supply of fodder. ' The natives on both banks of the > Nile extended a welcome to the expeditionary force, and it is believed 1 that the power of the Dervishes is i broken. ' The Dervishes who fought at 1 Kerman numbered 4000 picked men. | They abandoned Hafir, believing the > Egyptian? were marching on Don- . golo along the banks parallel with 1 the gunboat?. , .■„ j The cholera, which has been prevalent along the Nile, is now > subsiding. ; . The Dervishes at Hafir stubbornly [ defended the two forts by a long, line of rifle-pits, and the gunboats had some difficulty in getting within ! range. Twico they were compelled I to retire, but ultimately a <}etash- . ■ ment, with field guns, occupied an I island commanding Hafir, which is 1 on the western side of the Nile, and ' nearly opposite Kerman, and both armies were spectators of an artillery duel which lasted for many hours. Eventually the gunboats forced a passage, and turned the position in favour of the British. The Queen has sent a message to the Sirdar, congratulating him on the suooess of the expedition. The casualties on the British side were sixteen. The Dervishes Bent their women ; southward and in the engagement lost the major portion of their am~ munition. . Xha Sirdar has off* red the Der- ; viahes pardon if they will surrender, but reports from Hafir state that Bishara has re-entered Dongola and intends to fight. „