WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1305, 19 February 1885, Page 1

WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

London, Feb. 10, It is now rumored that Khartoum has not fallen into the hands of the rebels. The native tribes friendly to the British discredit the report that (he Mahdi’s troops have captured Khartoum. Lord Wolseley in a telegram to the Imperial Government admits the possibility of General Gordon having entrenched himself, and that the rebels may only be in possession of the outer portion of Khartoum. Feb. 15. The Queen has personally indicated her high appreciation of the generous and spontaneous offer of assistance by New South Wales in the suppression of the Soudan rebellion. A messenger who left Khartoum on the 2nd February declared that the city has not been captured by the rebels. Canada has made a fresh offer to England of troops for the Soadan. The New South Wales Government having agreed to pay all the expenses in connection with the offer of men for the Soudan, the English Government have accepted it out of compliment. For Victoria, the Marquis of Havlington has laid the offer of men for a pimilar pur-

poses before tlio Cabinet, but the offer has been declined. Feb. 16. General Wolseley telegraphs that an eye witness states the rebels mb red Khartoum on January 26 h, and that Gordon was killed by a volley from the invading troops while going to the Austrian Consulate, The offer of further assistance made by the Canadian, Government for the suppression of the Soudan rebellion has been accepted by the Imperial Government. , _ The Victorian Government have asked for details regarding the refusal of assistance from Victoria, ■" The Times states that, the British soldiers should welcome tlv se from the colonies, and strsgesijp that the -Queen should present them with a standard, Osman Digna is fortifying his position at Tamai. The owners of the steamer Australasian oftered that steamer for the purpose of conveying the New iVuth Wales contingent to the Soudan. Several other shipowners made enquiries, with a view of assisting in the conveyance of the troops. Feb. 17. Authorities on the subject are protesting against the laying of a line of railway to Berber. Cairo, Feb. 16, In compliance with the request of General Wolseley, Prince Hassan, brother to the Khedive, has been appointed Governor of the Soudan, and he proceeds forthwith to Korii, where he will assume command of the Egyptian troops. Feb. 17. Major-General Buller, m charge of the column at Metemceb, telegraphs that the Royal Irish regiment reached Gubat on the lllh inst. , An eye-witness of the capture of Khartoum by the rebels, states that after the death of General Gordon and his parly no fighting took place, and that no women and children were killed, but that the Mahdites sacked Khartoum. Melbourne, Feb. 17. The Victorian Government < ffercd 700 men, consisting of the Naval Brigade and Mounted Infantry, for service in the Soudan, and if the Imperial Government accepts the offer, Parliament will be summoned to ratify it. Adelaide, Feb. 17. The South Australian Government have offered 2f>o men tor service in the Soudan, but no.reply has yet been received. Sydney, Feb. 16. The acceptance of the colony’s offer of troops tor Egypt has evoked extraordinary enthusiasm. Only one battery of artillery is required, The AgentGeneral telegraphs that the force must be placed absolutely under the orders of the General commanding, and that it must call at Aden for insiructions. The proprietors of the Sydney Morning Gerald and Evening News each give £IOOO towards the patriotic fund, and a similar amount has been subscribed by Sir Daniel Cooper. Colonel Richardson, commandant of the New South Wales forces, will take command of the local contingent for the Soudan. Lieutenant-Colonel Rogers r< mains in charge here. The troops will embark on the 3rd prox. for the Soudan. Feb. 17. The Governor has received a telegram to-day from Lord Wolseley, dated the Soudan, Feb. 16th, in which his Lordship says :—“ Please inform the troops coming here that 1 look forward with pride to the honor of having Australian soldiers under my command in the field,” The arrangements for the despatch of the troops are progressing favorably. In addition to the Iberia the steamer Australasian will probably be chartered as a transport. The force " will consist in all of 734 .officers and! men and 200 horses. ■■ ■ ." i . ■!