WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1309, 28 February 1885, Page 1

WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

London, Peb. 24. At a meeting of the National Rifle Association to-day, the Duke of Cambridge presided. In the course of his speech he expressed a hope that the Imperial Government might find it possible to utilise the offers made bj other colonies than New South Wales of troops for the Soudan. In .his speech on the motion of censure Mr Gladstone strongly defended the Egyptian policy of the Government, and in regard to the death of General Gordon, urged that it was unavoidable under the circumstances.

In the House of Commons fe-day, Sir Stafford Northcote’s motion of censure on the Egyptian policy of the Government, was discussed, and after various speakers had addressed the House, the debate was again adjourned. Tbo division on the motion will take place on Friday next., Feb, 25. General Gordon, in bis last despatch of the 14th December, states be had abandoned all hope, and said the fall. of Khartoum was England’s funlt. Several English officers are offe'ing their services to the Sydnev* c'oihtingent. * % b - «• A battery of nine-poundcrs, with necessary equipments, supplied by the War Department for the New boulh Wales artillery, has been despatched to Souaimn,

Sir G. MacLey, -K.C.M.G., has given a donation of £SOO to the Sydney Patriotic Fund. Cairo, Peh. 26. The latest telegrams from Korti report that the JVlahdi’s spies and rebel marauders recently made their appearance between Gakdul and Korti. Sydney, Peb. 20. The approaching departure of the troops for the Soudan is the all-absorbing topic. All is bustle mid excitfment everywhere, and men are offering them selves freely, both married and single. Numbers are being enrolled daily, and sent into barracks. The steamers Iberia and Australasia, which have been chartered, will soon commence to load. A Council of War, consisting of Messrs Dailey, Dibbs and Wright, sits daily, and a great deal of business is - done. Respectable citizens who have been following numbers of trades here have been suddenly transported into fullblown field soldiers with a military status, and with handsome pay. The allowances have been made on the following scale ;—£1250 is the pay of officers (colonels) in command, to £325 for lieutenants, and men from 9s 6d to 6s per day. Provision is aiso made for wives and families, and for casualties. The enthusiasm has extended to the country, and a number of volunteers have Arrived from different centres. Contributions of money an I kind flow in each day, among them being'such things as biscuits, tobacco, asrated waters, musical instruments, and various articles for use, entertainment .and comfort, and the money eontribntions are large and numerous. Home of the field officers are past the prime of; bfe. Colonel Spalding will command tho artillery, with Major Airy, and Lim*.Colonel Raymond the infantry. Every - thing is being done to fit out the expedition with every requisite. They will Pot take guns, as they are too heavy, but will receive a battery <f ninepounders at Sonakim. War enrrerpondents from each paper will accompany the expedition. In the midst of all this preparation there are not wanting those who raise tlP'ir voices in deprecation of the course pnr uni, and loudest among them is Sir Heirr Parkcs. It is urged in opposition that England is not at war with any Great power and does not absolutely require help ; that no legislative sanction has been given to. the step, which tfill involve an immense amount of money ; that, in tact, a feeling of jingoism lias run away with the aciing-Oolonial Secntarv and a latge portion of the people. Anyhow all agree that the New H"Hl,h Wales troops will comport fheraselvt s with credit in the field.