AFRICAN TROUBLES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1832, 22 December 1888, Page 1

AFRICAN TROUBLES.

Zanzibar, December 19. Four natives, who were awaiting tri;«l on a charge of murder, have been beheaded by order of the Sultan. His rMajesty expressed his intention of be'heßding twenty-five others in the course of the week. The British ConsulGeneral has protested against the execution of the natives. Suakim, December 18. , A battle with Osman Digna's forces is imminent. December 19. Deserters from' the ranks of Osman Digna report that the Arab trenches are in a bad condition. They state that great distress.prevails among the. rebels, and that the latter, have suffered ;heavy loss from shelling % the British gunboats.

News has been received that the tribes of Aruri have massacred hundreds of women and children, adherents of the Mahdi, and in consequence,* tribal war is impending. December 20. . The cavalry reconnoitred in the direction of Handoub to-day, and report that a large body of rebels were visible in the rear of the earthworks thrown up. The right redoubt of the enemy was destroy-d owing to the excellent shooting made by the new magazine rifles. London, December 18.

Mr John Morley urged the Government to open nego iations with the Dervishes for the purpose of saving Eroin Bay and Stanley. Sir J. Ferguson said it was doubtful whether Osman Digna's letter was authentic. The date appeared to be too recent, and it was improbable ihat the captives had been taken to Khartoum. The Government were inclined to think it a clever device, and they did not consider there were sufficient grounds on which' to open negotiations at Suakim. Decemb n r 19. There is a growing feeling in favor of & British protectorate over Eastern Soudan, and it is contended that if this was effected the various tribes woul j gladly expel the adherents of the Mabdi from the country. Several gentlemen well able to express an opinion on the subject declare that a chartered trading company would be the best and most speedy peacemaker in the Soudan. Sir .1 Ferguson stated in the Housn of Commons to-day that Government belipve Osmsn, Digna's letter to be a ruse because it was impossible to travel from Lado to Khartoum in the apace of time in which it is asserted the news of the capture reached the Mahdi. It was an ignoble proposal to make that the English troops shouid retire before the •insolent vapourings of the besiegers of Suakim.