THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1155, 22 March 1884, Page 1

THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

London, March 18, Osman Digna has rallied two thousand of his troops, and has resolved to fight. He has intimated that he will renew hostilities in ten days. Cairo, March 18. Although telegraphic communication is open between Shendy and Berber, and from the latter place to this city, no news has been received from General Gordon of later date than 11th inst. Some anxiety, therefore, prevails as to the General’s safety. The latest telegrams from Souakim state that a number of Shiekhs friendly towards Osman Digua have publicly burned the proclamation issued by the Commander-in-Chief in Soudan offering a reward for Osman Digua alive or dead. Admiral Hewitt, in compliance with the request of the British Government, has ordered that the proclamation be forthwith cancelled. March 19. Intelligence has been received here that a large body of Bedouins have occupied Sahooka, near the Fifth Nile cataract, and communication beyond Berber is consequently prevented, the roads to that town being in possession of the Bedouins. News is also to hand that a considerable force of the rebel tribes has collected near Shendy, a town about 100 miles north of Khartoum, and it is stated that an attack upon that place (Shendy) is imminent. Beliable intelligence of increasing hostility among the Arabs is to hand, and the adherents ot the Mahdi are closing round Khartoum from all sides* The situation is considered critical.