The Fate of General Gordon.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 215, 13 August 1887, Page 1

The Fate of General Gordon.

We have yet to learn the true story of the massacre of General Gordon, but the full particulars may be obtained at a later date if a statement recently made at Cairo should be authenticated. Two Syrians and an Arab arrived in that city from Omdurman who state that the European who escaped from the disaster near El Obeid is not Mr Vizetelly, but jtfr O'Donovan, the intrepid war correspondent. According to the report of the Syrian Patriarch, who has also arrived at Cairo from Omdurman, the European who is al that town i 3 an English journalist, who speaks French and a little Turkish, and has travelled a deal in Palestine and Asia Minor. He is employed as a sorb of secretary to the Mahdi, who consults him on all points connected with the addressing of lettersand memorials intended for English reading, also on subjects of political European interest on which Abdullah Kahalifa wisho3 to be informed. This secretary dresses in Arab costume, and conforms with wonderful success to the manners and customs of the Mahdi. The Syrian Patriarch is of the opinion that he has a great deal of influence with the Mahdi. From descriptions given of this adventurous Englishman it certainly appears that he resembles more Mr O'Donovan than Mr Vizetelly. It is aaid that Sir Evelyn Baring has made efforts to establish the identity of this European, but the recent battle at fearras having completely'interrupted all communications with the Soudan, it is not likely that anything more will be known on the subject for some time to come.