WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1306, 21 February 1885, Page 1

WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

London, Feb. 17, Lord Wolseley telegraphs to Lord Loftus expressing his pride and pleasure at the prospect of having colonial soldiers under his command. The troops at Korti are delighted at the prospect of having colonial comrades with them. The Government will ask for a farther vote of two millions for the Soudan expedition. Major-General Sir Herbert Stewart, who was severely wounded near El Metemneh, is dying. The Queensland Government have offered to send Volunteers to join the Australian Brigade which is being forwarded to the Soudan. It is considered that their offer is certain to be accepted. Feb. 18. The first batch of reinforcements have sailed for the Soudan, The Times to-day states that the Opposition leaders have decided on the meeting of Parliament to propose a vote of want of confidence in the Government on their Egyptian policy. It has transpired that the Government have declined the offers of Canadian and Victorian troops for the Soudan, as it is believed that they could not arrive on the scene of operations in time to be of service.

The Times states tba|i the Govern-

ment ought to over-rule the decision by the War Office in refusing assistance from Victoria, as such a refusal is likely to cause disgust with the Government. Five thousand Arabs are reinforcing El Meteraneh. A telegram from General Wolseley announces that a body ot rebels, acting as an escort to a quantity of guns an 1 supplies, which were being sent from Khartoum to Metemneh, came up with a British detachment which was convoying a party of wounded. They rounded at a point about eight miles fiom Gubat, and the refcela opened fira on the convoy, which was responded to by the British, and afier an hour’s skirmish the enemy were driven back and retired. Feh. 19. Her Majesty the Queen has, through Lord Derby, expressed to the various colonies a warm and grateful feeling for their proffered aid, which was a most satisfactory expression of loyalty on their part, It is believed that all (he colonies except New South Wales will be warned that any troops they may wish to send will probably be too late for an immediate campaign, but the decision in the matter will be left optional with the colonies. A number of colonists at Horae are subscribing towards the cost of sending the Australian contingent to the Soudan. Cairo, Feb. 17. The latest telegrams from Korti announce that Major General Sir Evelyn Wood has gone to Gubat, on the Nile above Metemneh, and that Colonel Brackenbury has consequently succeeded to the command of the late General Earle’s column. Feb. 18. Intelligence has been received that the British troops on Saturday last abandoned Gubat on the Nile above Metemneh, and retired to Abukla, to the northward. The movement was effected without molestation from the emmv. It is possible the troops will further fall back on Gakdul where more water is obtainable. It is reported that the Maluli, wiih 50,000 followers, has left Khartoum and is marching on Metemneh. Sydney, Feb. 18. Mr James Tyson, a well-known squatter, subscribed £2OOO to the Patriotic Fund. Auckland, Feb. 19. Some young Aucklanders are said to be resolved on going to Syoney to off r their services to the force to be sent to the Soudan. Wellington, Feb. 19. Government have received numerous communications from volunteers and others urging that a New Zealand contingent for the Soudan should be formed, but Government do not consider it desirable to take any action in the matter. . Dunedin, Feb. 18. To-night’s Star says : —“ We understand that a Dunedin gentleman, who has seen some service during the American war, to-day sent a telegram to His Excellency the Governor offering the services of fifty men for the Soudan without bounty. He guaranteed that they would be ready to depart in three weeks, and thought within that time their number .would be doubled.”