THE SOUDAN SENSATION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 326, 19 December 1888, Page 5

THE SOUDAN SENSATION.

London, December 14. Further information from Suakim states that in proof of the Mahdi conquering Stanley, Osman Digna has produced a cartridge which is similar to those in use by the Stanley expedition. In the House of Commons to-day Lord Randolph Churchill, in speaking on the Soudan war, urged that for the present hostilities should be suspended, pending parleying for the release of the captives. Mr VV, H. Smith, First Lord of the Treasury, has intimated that he will on Monday, in reply to Lord Randolph Churchill's request for a suspension of hostilities in the Soudan, inform the House of the Government's intentions.

London, December 15. It is considered possible that the while traveller in the Soudan is Captain Casat, an Italian, or Jepson, who is Stanley's lieutenant. Major-General Grecnfell has prohibited Mr Wylde, a merchant philanthropist, from landing at Suakim and parleying with the natives, Replying to Lord Randolph Churchill in the House of Commons, Mr Goschen said the information to hand concerning the captives at Khartoum was so uncertain that it was impossible at present to suspend military operations in the Soudan, or at all events until the news had been confirmed. j It is believed that Stanley and Emm Bey have been captured by the Mahdi, and are now prisoners at Khartoum. It is stated that they are manacled, but otherwise are fairly treated.

Suakim, December 15. Further information as to the defeat of Emm Bey and the others, states that the Mahdi has captured a large quantity of ivory and ammunition, and that he has sent the Egyptian prisoners to Khartoum. One of the whites escaped, but nothing is known as to the fate of the others. The letter received from Osman Digna is in repiy to certain inquiries made of him by Major Rundle in August last. The story is widely credited, but the Emm Bey relief committee refuse to believe its genuineness. It is believed that the Mahdi would be inclined to release the prisoners in custody at Khartoum on condition that England made a complete evacuation of the Soudan, and would further give a pledge to abstain fiom meddling with it in the future.