The Soudan—Stanley to the Rescue.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 68, 20 September 1884, Page 3

The Soudan— Stanley to the Rescue.

A cable message which we publish to-day on the subject of the relief of General Gordon states that among those who compose the Britidh cxp dition to Khartoum are Major-General Sir Andiew Clarke and Mr PL M. Stanley, the celebrated African explorer. The latter is to be attached to Lord Wolseley (who is to command the expedition), doubtless in some such capacity as aide-de-camp,in order that his va&texpeiience of tropical travel may be available. The views of the man who "found Livingstone " in the heart of Africa will doubtless carry no little weight with the public. In the course of an interview at Plymouth, Stanley is reported to have said that General Gordon would never leave Khartoum ingloriously. He would probably remain in Khartoum until he finally decided to escape by one of three routes. He could escape by means of the Congo, the Nile, and across the desert to Zanzibar. He could force his way through the country, because the people would be afraid of an armed force He was perfectly well supplied with stores and ammunition, and was quite strong enough to meet tho AUahdi. Mr Stanley derides the suggested expedition to Khartoum, and says the men would die like flies when the" summer sun is waning. He says that Gordon only requires to act like a soldier, as he believes he will, to settle the whole difficulty. Mr Stanley added, "I now return from a voyage which comprises almost two years' absence, having on this occasion been exploring that part of the Dark Continent which extends to the place named after me, tho Stanley Falls. I did not proceed on this travel in connection with any work which I may subsequently undertake on behalf of the King of the Belgians. I have not been to Khartoum during my travels. I have been to Aesouan, but never to Khartoum. General Gordon could easily escape from Khartoum by way of the Congo if he wants to do so. If, as the papers represent, the Mahdi and his followers are on the north side of Khartoum—that is, on the river Nile— it is very easy for Gordon to escape. He has a large force under his command." Mr Stanley's views being thus hopeful, there is the best earnest given that the gallant Gordon will escape from the hordes of enemies who surround him, and live to render as good service to England in the future as he has done in the past,