NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1313, 10 March 1885, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

The s.s. Australia with the English nisil arrived at Auckland last Sunday. Among her passengers was George Augustus feala. Her cargo for Auckland was ; 400 cases salmon, 74 cannon goods, 40 cases apples, 1831 sacks maize, A great corporation called “ The Local Soudan Trading Company” has been formed in London and Alexandria upon the same basis as the old East India Co. One of its privileges will be the right to build railways between Berber and Souakim.

Seme Crofters who were arrested at the parishes of Kilmuir and Glendale, Isle of Skye, for resisting the sheriff, wore landed at Portree on January 30th, guarded by 100 policemen and a number of murines. A large crowd of people sympathised with the prisoners, and followed the guards with yells, and would have attempted to rescue them but were kept at bay by the guards. The Tichborne Claimant has now fallen low, appearing in a provincial Variety Company in England, and takes his turn between sn acrobat styled “ The Human Serpent” and “ The Cornish Mite.”

The weekly London newspapers say Garmoyle and Mi»s Fortescue will marry notwithstanding the lawsuit. The Prince of Wales recently requested one of bis sons to appear at and conduct services in the Boys’ Refuge, in the most squalid part of London, At a ticket office, opposite Somerset House, a duplicate emigrant ticket, purchased by Lucella Dudley, Rossa’s assailant, was exhibited on February 11th. It is dated August 21st. John Lee, an ex-convict, who murdered Miss Lee, a wealthy lady, in her mansion at Babbicombe, has been sentenced to death. It is announced that a marriage has been arranged between Princess Clementine, daughter of King Leopold of Belgium, and Prince Albert Victor, the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. Sir Andrew Clarke and the Duke ot Westminster each gave young Mr Gladstone a £IOO cheque as a present on his wedding day.

AMERICAN SUMMARY,

The Socialistic labor party in New York have passed resolutions favoring Irish dynamiters. The vigorous enforcement of the antipolygamy law in Utah has demoralised business, and influential Mormons are removing elsewhere. The Swedish brig, Fayal, which sailed from Boston for Brisbane, put into New York on January 29th, a terrible mutiny having occurred. The captain was attacked in his berth at night by the csrpenter with a broad axe, but, aided by the mate, beat him off and also the steward, who joined the assailant. The captain, after staunching his wounds, sallied out with the mate and faced an encounter with the steward and sailors who were armed with axes sheath knives and capstan bars. A ferocious fight ensued, but the captain and mate triumphed. The captain’s son, second mate, had been murdered by the mutineers and thrown overboard. Finally, when the mutineers submitted, the captain, having no leg-irons or hand-cuffs to secure them, shot the steward and carpenter dead, and threw the bodies overboard. The seamen then agreed to obey orders. Henry George has returned from England. He says the dynamiters are damaging the Irish cause. His land nationalisation idea has made more rapid progress in Scotland than elsewhere.

The reported exigence of a powerful dynamite organisation at Pittsburg, who are preparing for a Socialistic outbreak, is causing considerable uneasiness, Martial law was proclaimed at Panama on Feb. 11th, The coast of Cauca is in the hands of the revolutionists. All kinds of business is stopped. DeLesseps and party concluded an examination of the Panama Canal on the lOtb, and pronounced it a success. A new political alliance or organisation, to be known as the Rational Independent Organisation, has been formed in London and will receive the support of many influential and representative men. A despatch of 7th February says its objects include upholding the privileges of the Ihrane, the Sovereign, however, to be in England, . Ireland and Scotland alternately; the-promotion of national or home trading before the formation of foreign alliance, and free trade in articles of food only; an increase of the British fleet in order to afford better protection to commerce, and an effort to promote an alliance with the United States, having for its sole object the defeat of any attempt by a foreign toe to invade an English speaking country. The latter clause has attracted a great cjeal of pub'io attention. The idea of such an allianpe or confederation between the English speaking people of the world evidently pleases the popular fancy in Great Britain.

IRISH AFFAIRS,

The Mayor (O’Connor) of Dublin, who is a strong Nationalist, declines to attend the coming Vice-regal levee at Dublin Cpstle. The- Irish Times proposes that the British Press should raise a monument to Mr J. A. Cameron and Mr Herbert, the war correspondents killed in the battle at Abukela Wells on January 19th. Air Redmond and Mr O’Brien, Irish Nationalists, on returning to Londonderry on January 13th, after the meeting at Gardonough, were met by a torchlight procession. The Mayor ordered the police and military to prevent the entrance of the precession into the city, whereupon O’Brien departed for Dublin and Redmond put up at an hotel in Londonderry, This led to savage riots during the night between .Orangemen and Nationalists. At a meeting of Irish Nationalists held in Dublin on February 9th, Mr Thomas O’Connor, M.P., said in his address that when in due time Mr Parnell appealed to the people to pay Irish Members the result would astonish the world. He made no allusion to the explosion in Loudon or to the shooting of Rossa, A Dublin special, dated Feb. 6th, says the attempt to shook Rossa had already ceased to be talked about. 15QQ Irish were dismissed from buildings in thie course of construction at East London up to February 14th. A similar movement has been started at Manchester, Liverpool, and other provincial centres. O’Leary, a Fenian, had a free fight at Jfis Glasgow lecture on February Ist, which was excited by his references to Parnell., Rossa and Ford.

Four thousand Irish are out of work in London. Fully one-third have been discharged since the recent explosions. The entries have been trebled at the Sheerness powder magiizinein consequence ot the appearance of suspected dynamiters. Guards aie also placed at Eton College. O’Donnovan Rossa was shot by a woman in Chambers street, near Broadway, in the afternoon, when the street was full of people. The first short lodged in Rossa’s body. He fell to the sidewalk, and the woman continued shooting till she emptied five chambers of her revolver. She is an Englishwoman named Dudley, aged 25, is a nurse, and unmarried. An enquiry showed that she had been almost crazed with excitement since the explosions in Parliament Buildings and the Tower. On an examination of the wound at the hospital it was found that the hall had penetrated Rossa’s hack, but it was not dangerous. Intelligence of the shooting was received in London amid jubilation and thousands drank to the toast of “ Health and happiness to Mias Dudley.” In Canada there was great excitement and intense disappointment that the wound was not dangerous. In an interview with Dudley she said she saw Rossa and offered him money to draw him out. He told her that the next buildings to be blown up were Sandhurst College, the Carlton Club, Woolwich Arsenal, and the Bank of England. This showed her that she was doing right, because it would not have been fair to condemn the man upon only what she bad yead in his paper. Rossa has received hundreds of threats that he will yet be killed. His paper is now much modified in tone. Visitors crowd to see Miss Dudley. Michael Davitt is in Rome seeking to present an address to the Pope justifying the action of the Catholic Irish Nationalists. The Vatican is unwilling to receive him. Eminent persons are, however, trying to procure him an audience.

FALL OF KHARTOUM.

The War Office issued the following at 12.30 p.m., on February sth A telegram from Lord Wolsoley announces that Colonel Wilson arrived at Khartoum on January 28th, and finding the enemy in possession immediately started on his return down the river. Despatches received from Korti state that the natives reporlt he Mahdi had 60,000 men in the vicinity of Khartoum, and that he had introduced a number of emissaries into the city who mingled with the native troops under General Gordon, and by bribes and threats worked up their religious feeliugand induced them to mutiny. Seven thousand of the garrison deserted to the rebels, leaving General Gordon only 2500 faithful soldiers. With this force he attempted to hold the city against the Mahdi’s great army, but after severe fighting, in which a large number of the rebels were killed, he was compelled to surrender. The first news of the fall of Khartoum received by Lord Wolseley was brought by a messenger who left the Island where Colonel Wilson was stranded and came on foot to Cabal. Two messengers were despatched to Korti via Abuklea and Gakdul, and reached their destination. Intelligence of the disaster soon spread far and wide, and some tribes that have hitherto professed friendship for England have declared for the Mahdi. Colonel Wilson had three steamers, two of which were wrecked in the Nile exactly half way between Khartoum and Metemneh, .and the third steamer, carrying Colonel Mortley and party, came on and brought the news to the British camp near Metemneh. The Arabs still hold Metemneh, and the garrison there received the news of the fall of Khartoum with repeated salvos of artillery. When Colonel Wilson’s flotilla approached Khartoum it was compelled to run the gauntlet of a heavy fire from both branches of the river. The rebels had four Krupp guns on the river banks at Haifa to bombard the sleamers. When (he British force reached Cnderman num hers of the rebels continued the fnsilarie, and things looked worse when it was discovered the enemy were in possession of the Island of Tutli, just outside the city. The English still pushed ahead, but wete dismayed to find the garrison had commenced firing upon them, No flags were flying from tne public buildings, the town appeared in the undisputed possession of the enemy, and the palaces secured gutted, Finding it was impossible to land a force, owing to the overwhelming numbers of the rebels, the British were obliged to retire. Rumors concerning the fate of General Gordon are many and varied, but all are agreed that the Mahdi captured Khartoum by treachery. The most reliable reports point to one Foraz Pasha as the traitor. It is said that being left in charge of the ramparts, he opened the gates on January 25th, and admitted the enemy. Some rumors state that Gordon, together with a few others, are cooped up in a church, Others say that he was seen wearing the Mahdi’s uniform, The majority are agreed, however, that lie is killed. A despatch from Cairo, dated February stb, says that the news had reached there that 2000 men were massacred at Khartoum. The excitement in London on the receipt of the news of the capture of Khartoum was tremendous. The War Office was beseiged with array officers tendering their services for active duty, and telegrams were received from officers throughout the country, asking assignment to rescue the expedition should the Government conclude to lake such action. The papers were furious in their attacks on the Ministry, and declared the sole rqspon: sibility for the disaster rests with them, as they refused to allow a relief expedition to start in time. The Council at the War Office in the evening decided to despatch 3000 troops to Souakim immediately. General Stephenson telegraphs that 5000 will be needed to cPar the road .o Berber, as the news of the fall of Khartoum will induce the central tribes to join Osman Digna. General Stephenson also advises that the present strength of the troops in Upper and Lower Egypt be maintained, and reinforcements be drawn from Egypt and India, The object in point of all General Wolseleyls movements is Metemneh. He telegraphs that the rebels had become defiant since the fall of Khartoum, and the situation looked serious. A message was r. ceived from the Mahdi on the 6th stating that General Gordon had become a Mussulman, *and that all the English officers had better follow his example The Mahdi had no wHi to fight the English, but unless they embraced the trqe faith he would not leave one in the Soudan. , By a Cabinet Council on February 6th,

an order was telegraphed that General WoDeley was to ascertain, if possible, before taking decisive action, whether General Gordon was alive or dead, and if he was alive he was instructed to endeaTor to terminate the campaign without further fighting. The General asked for specific instructions as to what he should do if Gordon were found to be dead. After a very prolonged and animated discussion the Cabinet replied that the campaign should be prosecuted until the rebellion was suppressed. This decision of giving Lord Wolseley carte blanche caused great satisfaction. The scenes of the slaughter at Khartoum are described as surpassing the Bulgarian atrocities, and rivalling the worst horrors of the Sepoy mutiny. Panic-stricken Egyptians were captured in their flight and put to death with the most fiendish torture. Included among the massacred wore many non-combatants. More than a hundred young women and girls were given over to the Mahal’s followers to be used as their slaves. After the slaughter many of the Arabs were seen rushing about the streets with the heads of Egyptians impaled upon spears. Night was spent in a saturnalia of blood and debauchery. Sinco the capture of Khartoum El Malidi lias repaired the fortifications and made the place well nigh impregnable. He has made it bis permanent headquarters, and is said to have abundance of guns, small arms and ammunition, Both Colonels Wilson and Stephenson were wrecked owing to the treachery of the pilots, wno will be court-martial ed. The Standard and all morning papers have refused to believe the story of Gordon’s death. A despatch from Korli of February 12th states the Mmlir of Dongola is now convinced that Khartoum has fallen and that General Gordon is dead. Some of (he rebels on gaining access to Khartoum went to Government. House and met General Gordon coming out armed along with Mohammed Bey, Mustaplia Pasha, and twenty others. These were driven off, and while proceeding to the Austrian Consulate they met a party ot rebels, who fired a volley, and General Gordon, Mnstapha, and Mohammed fell dead. A despatch from Calcutta, dated February 15th, says the Press, both Anglo-Indian and Native, are mostly loyal in their comments on the events in the Soudan, but a great difference of opinion is expressed in regard to the despatch of Indian troops to Egypt. Tne Press is unanimous that India should not be saddled with the expense of a campaign. Native officers, including Mahomedans, have petitioned for active service.

BATTLE OF METEMNEH,

General Stewart after the battle of Abuklea Wells was entrenched at Metemneh and in communication with General Gordon. General Stewart’s forces had several fights with the Arab rebels before it reached Metemneh, General Stewart himself being badly wounded. General Stewart’s force on leaving Gakdul Wells consisted of 2000 picked fighting men. When they got about five miles south of Metemneh he found the enemy hovering about his little army on all sides, and skirting it often within uncomfortably short range. The rebels had evidently stationed themselves in the vicinity to await his arrival to give him battle. When they began to surround him and to press upon him he determined to' abide events, and ordered his men to dismount and form a zareeba. During its construction the rebel riflemen drew nearer and maintained a hot fire from behind ambushes and such hiding places as they could find among bushes and high grass. This fire was very well directed, and was most disastrous in its effect upon the British troops. Twelve men were soon shot down, and forty others were wounded. Among the first killed were Mr Cameron, special correspondent of the London Standard, and Mr Herbert, special correspondent of the London Post. General Srewart was one of the very first wounded. He was shot in the thigh when making the zareeba, which was about completed, and the army had been put in order to form a square in two largo echelons. The rebel fire fire was directed against the ijritish right front, which slood unmoved during the charge. The English troops forming the assailed front delivered a terrific fire, aimed right at the enemy’s middle, mowing down men in such heaps that they formed actual obstacles, and interfered so seriously with the evenness necessary to the success of an onslaught that its centre line was brought to a standstill about sixty yards yards from the British front line, and the rebels being so displaced, were simply cut to pieces. From this out the warfare was disastrous to the rebels, as when their line was broken, the Arabs seemed to break up into bands, each of which waged war on its own account. A detachment, mostly on horseback, wept back to attack the zareeba, which was garrisoned by a body of English soldiers, made up of a little detachment left behind by each corps, which had gone forward in a square. Lord Charles Beresford was in command, and he sustained the attack for two hours, when the enemy were compelled to retreat. During the general attack upon the square only six men were killed and twenty-three wounded qp the English side, Oapiain Norton worked a gun during this fight, and his firing did awful havoc. An effort was made to erect small redoubts some fifty yards to the right of the zareeba, under the protection of a steady fire from the zareeba. During the erection qr then* quo man was killed and three wounded. Lord Cochrane with fifty men from the Life Guards and Scots held the redoubts and maintained a heavy fire throughout tho battU, They did much to repel the constant rushes of the enemy. The losses of the rebels during the day was estimated at 2000 killed and wounded. Among the enemy were many slaves, several of whom have submitted to the British. On the 22nd thq EjritisH lencarnptd at Abuklea, two miles south of Metemneh. The enemy was most sparing in their use of ammunition while defending Metemneh, and only kept up a desultory fire, The rebel foyces throughout.all the engagements were well handled. It is stated two Europeans are among them, which may explain tho fact. A female prisoner states the British fire decimated the enemy, who seemed determined to remain inside Metemneh. Mr Herbert, special correspondent of the. London Times, whoso death was reported, was sliot dead during a fierce at:ack by the rebels while the British were erecting thezireeba. Ho was Secretary to Lord Dufferia when the latter was Governor of Canada. He witnessed the battles of

Tel-el-Kebir, El Teb and Tamasi, and was severely wounded in the last-named battle. The total British loss, including the loss at Abuklen, was 104 killed and 116 wounded. The enemy’s loss is 3000 killed and wounded. The Queen has sent a despatch thanking General Stewart and his troops for their bravery, condoling with them for their losses, and promoting General Stewart to the rank of MajorGeneral. Colonel Burleigh, special correspondent to the r J?elegraph, and Lord Somerset are among the wounded. General Stewart now holds a stronglyfortified post ut Gubat, not far from Metemneh, a place on the Nile half way between Barber and Khartoum. In the fight on the 19th inst., which occurred within three miles of the Nile, many of the British troops were in an almost fainting condition from lack of water. Colonel Charles Wilson ordered a small detachment of cavalry men to obtain a supply of water from the river by cutting their way through the enemy’s forces. This dangerous movement was accomplished with less loss of life than might have been expected, and enough water was obtained to revive the troops and enable them to continue the battle. When the British square returned to the zareeba the day after the fight many of the garrison wept for joy.