UNKNOWN THE GARRISON BETRAYED BY TREACHERY. General Wilsons Experiences Tremendous Excitement Upon the Receipt of the News in London.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 93, 14 March 1885, Page 6

UNKNOWN THE GARRISON BETRAYED BY TREACHERY. General Wilson s Experiences Tremendous Excitement Upon the Receipt of the News in London.

London, February 5. The War Office has issued the following : Telegrams from Wolseley announce that the fall of Khartoum took place on January 26. Ho says that Colonel Wilson arrived at Khartoum on January 28, and was greatly siirpri-ed to find that the enemy was in possession of that place. He immediately starte 1 on his return down the river, and proceeded under a heavy fire from the rebels. When some miles below the Shublaka cataract, Colonel Wilson's steamers were wrecked, but he and his whole party managed to reach an island safely, where they are secure. A steamer has one to bring them back to the British camp near Metammeh.

Excitement in London. The excitement in London and everywhere throughout the British Isles wlioie the news is known is rising to fever heat. Clubs and public resorts of every description are thronged with crowds of people eager to catch the lasi syllable of intelligence from the distant Egyptian deceit. Through Fleet-street and the Strand it is almost impossible to make one's way, &o ciowded are the thoroughfares with throngs of curious and excited citizens. Must people take a gloomy view of the position of the British troops in the Soudan. The jubilant gladness which characterised Englcind in regard to Eprypt ever since the welcome news of Stewarts successful arrival in the neighborhood of Metammeh, is now changed to dread Military authorities are of the opinion that Gordon sent the greater part of bis troops down the Nile to meet Stewarts forces, and so depleted the garrison in the town and citadel of Khartoum that an attack by the enemy from Omdurman was rendered much easier. Sir Henry Gordon, brother of Chinese Gordon, says he is of the opinion that the Mahdi's regulars, who submitted to Gordon in December, mutinied and betrayed the garrison. Gordon's great fault was in placing too much confidence in men. Unless the mutineers murdered him in the first step of their rebellion, he has no tears for the General's safety, which will be simply a matter of money.

Colonel Wilson's Steamers at Khartoum. When Colonel Wilson's flotilla approached Khartoum it was compelled to run the gauntlet of heavy fire from both banks The rebels hud four Krupp guns on the river banks at Halpujch tv bombard the steamers. When the British force reached Omdurman numbers ot the rebels continued to fusilade. Things looked worse whon it was discovered that the enemy was in possession of the inland of Tutti, just outside the city The English still pushed ahead, but were dismayed to find that the garrison commenced firing upon them. j No flags were flying from public buildings, j and the town appeared in undisputed pof-pe«sion of the enemy. The Palace seemed gutted. Finding that it was impossible to land in the face of the over whelming number of lebels, the British were obliged to retire. Colonel Wilson had three steamers, two of which were wiecked in the Nile, exactly half way between Khartoum and Metammeh. The third steamer, bearing Colonel Wortley and party, came on and bro"ght the news to the British camp near Metamriieh. Col m el Wortley i* in charge of the only one of Colonel Wilson's three steamers which succeeded in reaching Gubat from Khartoum, the two others having been wrecked. He furnishes a detailed report of the movements of the expedition. He thus shows that the three steamers in com mand of Colonel Wilson reached Khartoum on January 28, following the course of the White Nile. Reaching Khartoum, it was found to be utterly impossible fco land the troops. '1 he rebels tired on the steamers. The Government House at Khartoum appeared to be wrecked One man was killed and five wounded during the attack on the steamers. Colonel Wilson's steamer was wrecked four miles above the enemy's position, below the Shublaka Cataract. The second steamer was wrecked January 29th. General Gordon's fate is still in doubt. Reports in regard to him are conflicting. It is the general opinion, however, that he was killed. Some say he is with the Greeks in the church at Khartoum. The fall of Khartoum has decided the Shukriveh tribes to join El Mahdi, which places both banks of the Nile under the control of the enemy. The natives greatly fear the English and the advance of General Earle's column is awaited with anxiety by them. The nativos say El Mahdi is hard pressed for supplies. and that he had great difficulty in persuading the emirs to attack us. A m< ssenger from El Mahdi reached Colonel Wilson Japuaiy 29th. He said General Gordon had adopted El Mahdi's uniform. Tht courier brought the following message from El Mahdi: "I call upon you to surrender. I ehall not write again If you do not become Mohammedanß I will wipe you off the face of the earth." The statement is confirmed that Faraz Pasha treacherously made terms with El Mahdi, wheieby the latter was enabled to capture Khartoum.

General Wolseloy's Proclamation. London, February 7th.— The following despatch is just received, dated near Metammeh, February 6fch : •• General Wolseley has issued the following proclamation : To notables and inhabitants of the Soudan : England has sent me with an army to restore pc-ice, not to colle t taxes or to injure anyone. [ will pay you for all supplies and guarantee to execute General Gordon's promises. Only those deserving punishment at our hands will receive it I call upon you to submit, and not to listen to evil advisers. Come into my camp and see my officers. No one shall harm you, either coming or returning."