Is the Soudan Rebellion Col lapsing ?

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 93, 14 March 1885, Page 3

Is the Soudan Rebellion Col lapsing ?

It would almost seem from to-day's cable news as if it were, and that internal dissensions will more speedily do the work of " smashing up the Mahdi " than the advance of British battalions. Just at the moment when the English Cabinet are wavering in their resolve to prosecute the i Soudan war, it is welcome news to learn I that there are serious divisions i» the Mahdi's ranks, that he and a large portion of his forces have retreated to the southward, and that fighting is expected to eneuo among the opposing factions in Khartoum. But ior the theory of disaffection and starvation in tbe rebel ranks, it would be hard to believe that the Muhdi had refrained from following up the British retreat ; and this explanation also throws light on the despatch published in our late edition yesterday, which stated that the Muhdi had resolved not to attack the British, but would allow the climate to destroy them. The plain fact would seem to be that the rebels are disgusted with their barren victory at Kharfcouru, have quarrelled over the allotment of the scanty "loot," and, as ueual when thieves fall out, will confei a benefit upon honest people. The Mahdi's influence is distinctly on the wane ; for some time buck ho has been surrounded by a quadruple guard, but despite every precautions is said to live in daily fear of assassination. The heavy losses which his followers sustained at the hands of the British and of the Khartoum garrison have doubtlet-s con vine* d even the most fanatical ! that his miraculous pretensions are all a sham, and it is not unreasonable to suppose that the rebellion may collapse through utter want of faith. In these circumstances, the British Govern ment are justified in recont-idering their position. If there is no intention of re tainingthe country, why should they spend lives and wealth in an avowed wai of retalia tion ? If the Mahdi is retiring to the, southward, he is doing just what the British want him to do, and why should they risk calling him and his hoides back and reawakening their fanatic 7< e,.i b> attacking 0-man Digna and mai chine* on Berber? It is cabled that the Biiiish Expedition now at Suakim is to ttart it> advance on Monday next. In view of the altered aspect of affairs, and remembering the graver danger of a Russian war which is now impending, it will not surprise v* to hear that the F xpedition has been recalled, and the abandonment of the Upper Soudan accomplished.