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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 120, 1 May 1884, Page 2

The aspect of affairs in the Soudan does not improve, and everything tends to show that complications are arising out of the Egyptian question, which may lead to very serious results. France, who undoubtedly has a great interest at stake, is beginning to assume an hostile attitude, which must have the effect of seriously impeding any practical solution of this difficult question, which a general Conference of European Powers might be enabled to effect. She refuses to be a party to any movement or combined action in this direction unless the whole matter is gone into de novo, and the Egyptian question dealt with in its entirety. In the mean time recent events point to the urgent necessity which exists for prompt action on the part of the English Government, as the rebellion is making rapid headway in every direction. The fall of Berber has, according to latest accounts, greatly emboldened the rebels, and the Mahdi is taking prompt advantage of this circumstance to draw together fresh supplies of men and material with a view, it is alleged, of advancing upon Assouan. The greatest indignation and excitement prevails in England on account of the recent refusal of the British Government to send relief to the beleagured garrison at Khartoum with a view of securing the safety of General Gordon, whose position is critical in the extreme, and public feeling is being manifested in the practical shape of organising a band , of volunteers 2,000 strong, which it is intended to dispatch to the Soudan, and thus effect by private enterprise, what the Government should have done long ere this. The rebellion has now been dragging along since July ’Bl, a fact which is not likely to add much to the prestige of the British, and is now culminating in disgrace through the inertia which has been shown in not taking more decisive steps for its suppression.