The Soudan War.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1631, 11 March 1884, Page 2

The Soudan War.

._—* (Reuters Telegrams—Copyright.) '• ; ' '■' 'March 4, In the House of Commons this afternoon, Lord Edmund Fitzmaurice, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, stated', in reply to a question, that' the Government did not intend to .order the British troops in the Soudan to relieve the garrison at Kassakva town near the border of Abyssinmii, and which was reported' to hav.e been threatened by hostile natives, as it was now believed that the gairison would be able to withdraw without molestation, . /'' ' : .,' :ra \ ' ■'•'"'' March 4. Telegrams are to.-lidutl from Souakim stating.-that the .British troops at Tokar and other places in the neighborhood are returning to Trinkitat, where the whole force will concentrate to-morrow prior to being re-embarked. The destination of the transports is nbt,jjefinitely known, but it is expected they will convey the troops to Souakim. March 0. Latest telegrams from Souakim report that Admiral Hewitt, commanding the.East., Julian Squadron, will yeiy.sjiortly.ipcoed on a mission to Ajbyssinia.. : ..The' J objecfc of the same ■hashot,'hp^ve"^transpired,''' "■'"'' ■ • Graham, commanding the British forces' in tho 'Soudan,! has arrived: at Sbttakim froiii Trinki ■tat, : . ..; '■' : ' ''■•'■ ■ '....,.' .: : .;Mareli 5, (evening). To-day's-despatches from Souakim state that the rebels, under Osuian Digneh, who are encamped near that place, have assumed a bellicose, attitude. Tlio British troops from Trinkitat are now proceeding to, and will disembark at a point to the southward of Souakim, from whence it is expected. an advance will be made against the rebels.

. ~..-. , . March 6. Intelligence has been received to-day that the British troops from Trinkitat have arrived at Souakini, and have landed there; the order to disembark them at a point to the southward having been cuuntortnanded. - ; '

News is to hand that hostilities have broken out in Kordofitn between the rebels and certain loyal tribes. An engagement was recently fought at a place to the northwaiiof Qbeid, The followers of El Mahdi numbered fully 1000, but the loyal -Arabs mustered in strong; force, and inflicted a severe defeat upon the rebels,

; . March 7. . News has been..received, from Jed;dah, a seaport : of. .Arabia, .on the, eastern shore of tbe ; Ml'Sea,'thiit the' Bedouin Arabs living in the neighborhood have broken out in revolt, and have already coin.m;ifcted great ex- ; ( . Vr , :,:/■:.;::, ~:;,. ,^ ;

It is rumored that Osman's followers are doserting him.

The Hussars at Souakirii have been ordered to 'reconnoitre the enemy's position, but Graham has given, strict orders that--they are not' ts. advance unless there is a certainty of finding Osman,

A number of Arab sheiks have arrived at Souakim.