CABLE NEWS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 88, 15 March 1884, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

[Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright.] [Reuteb’s Telegrams.] London, March 12. The homeward mails (via Suez and Brindisi) dated Melbourne, Jan. 31, were delivered to-day. The ship Langstone has arrived from Napier (Nov. 29.) THE SOUDAN. ANOTHER BATTLE—DEFEAT OF THE ENEMY. Telegrams are to hand from Cairo announcing that intelligence had been received there that a battle between the British troops and the rebels under Osma Digna commenced at daybreak to-day. The engagement was a very brief one, the enemy being speedily routed, No further particulars had, up to the time of the despatch of the intelligence, reached Souakim. Later. The loss on the British side was given as seventy killed and one hundred wounded. The enemy’s loss is not known. ANOTHER BATTLE IMPENDING. PREPARATIONS FOR ATTACK. FURTHER SKIRMISHING. Cairo, March 12, Telegrams are to hand from Souakim reporting that firing has been heard in the direction of Zaraba, a small town eight miles from Souakim, where the second battalion of the Royal Highlanders (42nd foot) and the 10th Hussars are encamped. It is added that the whole British force at Souakim has been suddenly despatched to the scene of the supposed battle. Evening. Further intelligence has been received from Souakim regarding the fght which was believed to have commenced near Zaraba. The troops despatched from Souakim found that the firing was only due to a skirmish which had taken place with a body of Arab rebels, who had attempted to intercept convoys despatched to the British camp at Zaraba. The rebels were dispersed without difficulty. It was expected that a battle between the main body of the rebels, under Osman Digna, and General Graham’s force would take place to-day. Later. The latest telegrams to hand from Souakim announce that the whole of the British force under General Graham reached Zaraba last evening, and the troops bivouacked for the night. Orders were given for an advance to be made to-day at noon against Osman Digna’s position. The troops .were to be formed into two squares, and in this order to attack the rebels, who are encamped in strong force at Tamaneb, a short march from Zaraba. March 13 Telegrams from Souakim report that Gen. Graham had yesterday taken up a position a mile distant from that occupied by Osman Digna, and was to commence an attack at daybreak to-day. THE FRANCO-CHINESE WAR. TWO FORTS CAPTURED. Paris, March 12. Despatches to hand from Tonqum announce that the main body of the French army had arrived before Bacninh, and that two forts in the vicinity of that town have been captured and occupied by the French troops.