THE EXPEDITION TO KHARTOUM. LATER PARTICULARS. ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT. News From Khartoum. STOPPAGE OF PRESS TELEGRAMS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT.] [REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1965, 10 February 1885, Page 2

THE EXPEDITION TO KHARTOUM.

LATER PARTICULARS. ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT. News From Khartoum. STOPPAGE OF PRESS TELEGRAMS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT.] [REUTERS TELEGRAMS.]

Loxik»", February 0. No details have come to hand regarding the capture ct Khartoum, Press telegrams from the Soudan having been stopped. The Cabinet have given Lord Wolseley complete discretion, promising him every assistance he may demand, and stating that England will strive to save Gordon if living. Lord Wolseley telegraphs to the Horse Guards that he is sending a messenger to ascertain the fate of Gordon. A Cabinet Council will be held to-day to consider the; Soudan position. Sir Charles Dilke, President of the Local Government Board, speaking at Pnddington last night, announced that Lord Wolseley's telegrams were no cause of anxiety as to the position of the British troop-, at Gakdul and Metaminch. Lord Wolseley states that the Shurkri tribes h,i\e joined the M.ihdi, therefore both banks of the Nile are hostile. Telegrams announce that a British convoy has reached Gubal on the road to Metammeh. Lovcox February 7. Accounts to hand respecting Sir Charles Wilson's expedition from Metanuneh to Khartoum, state that to him the palace at the latter place appeared to be wrecked, and it was the general opinion that Gordon had l»eeii killed, but the Mahdi's messenger, who came to Sir Charles Wilson with a summons to surrender, asserted that lie (Gordon) was alive. The following particulars are supplied by special messages to the Press Association :- -The feeling of public indignation and disgust pervading all classes of people regarding the miscarriage in the Soudan is unparalleled, and in consequence consols have declined \ per cent. Profound sympathy is expressed on the Continent at the failure of Lord Wolselev's expedition to rescue Gordon. It is reported that 2000 of Gordon's followers were massacred, and the palace at Khartoum was completely nutted by the rebels. Information from Khartoum has been received that the English troops under Sir C. WiLson approached to within 900 yards of the rebels, and that only the Hags of the Litter then could lie seen. Their batteries kept up a hot shelling, liut the troop.-, were compelled to retreat, and this wa.s effected partly by strategy. Some of the reports state that Gordon w.is killed, and that there v\ ere fifteen days, hard fighting ; while others say that two Pashas betrayed General Gordon, but he was still alive and defending Khartoum. The Observer states that Lord Wolseley has been instructed to suppress the rebellion if General Gordon is dead. The Italian Government are prepared to send 3.>,000 troops to the Soudan if necessary.