THE SOUDAN.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4922, 18 October 1884, Page 2

THE SOUDAN.

[Received October 18, 2.20 p.m.] Caibo, October 18. The Mahdi. Intelligence has been received from the Soudan that many tribes are deserting the Mahdi, but that at the same time others hitherto loyal to the British are joining his ranks. General Gordon is sending a consider* able force to occupy Berber, recently retaken from the rebels.

[Specials to the Pbess Association]

London, October 15,

The Transvaal Government having withdrawn their protection from the chief Montsioa, the English Government has directed Sir Hercules Robinson, Governor at the Cape, to establish British authority of n his temto?y#

Sir F. D. Bell is urging Lord Derby to sanction Sir George Gsey's Pacific An nexation Bill. The Albert medal has been conferred on Dr W. McGregor, C.M.G., ReceiverGeneral of Fiji, for the gallantry he displayed in rescuing coolies from the wreck of the ship Syria.

The Plymouth Chamber of Commerce intend entertaining Sir Saul Samuel (Agent-General of New South Wales,^ Sir F. D. Bell (Agent«Geueral of New Zealand), and Fir Arthur Blyth (AgentGeneral of South Australia) at a banquet on October 31st.

October 16

At present the protectorate established over New Guinea will extend along the coast and adjacent country from the 140 th meridian to the East Cape, also to the islands in Goschen Straits, including ELosman Island. Instructions have been given for two men-of-war to cruise on the New Guinea coast for the remainder of this year. Commodore Erskine will hoist the English flag at all points where it may be considered desirable.

An impression prevails that England is arranging with Germany and France for a division of the Pacific Islands.

Lord Derby will shortly grant the interview requested by the various Agents-General.