The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-05-02 00:00:00

KHARTOUM AND OMDURMAN.

The special correspondent of the Daily Chronicle,
telegraphing 'on Monday from Dongala, says:
A messenger who has just arrived here from Khar-
toum states that after the fall of the city no free
persons were sold as slaves, as previously reported
upon native authority.
The same messenger states that the Mandi's troops
have sustained a serious reverse at Sennar, and that
small-pox is raging at Omdurman.
ABANDONMENT OF THE SOUAKIM-BERBER

RAILWAY.
A Reuter's despatch from Souakim, dated April
27th sates:

The enemyfired into Otao and Tambouk last night.
One native was wounded.

The Camel Corps will reconnoitre in the direction
of Es Sibil on Wednesday next.
The Indian troopship Jumna will return to Bom-
bay with the 1200 coolies who arrived here on the
25th inst. to assist in the construction of the rail-
way.
The work of laying water pipes has ceased.
The Marines are returning from the front.

The following telegram has been received at the
War Office, dated Cairo, April 24, 1885:—
Following officers from Nile invalided, embarked
at Alexandria in the Kinsembo on 24th inst. : Brevet
Lieut.-Colonel A. G. Wauch9pe, C.M.G., Ist Bat-
talion Royal Highlanders Black Watch; Lieut. E. L.
Munro. Royal Navy.
The Times correspondent at Souakim, telegraphing
on Tuesday night, says:
Night attacks are still made on the small forces at
Tambouk and Otao, but there has been only one
casualty, a daolie bearer having been seriously
wounded. The Scots Guards at Tambouk recently
attempted to capture the enemy. They stealthily
crept out of the zereba in their overcoats and night.
caps, but failed to find the Arabs. The enemy's fire,
however, is easily stopped by a few well-directed
volleys, causing them to retire to a longer range. At
Otao the Coldstream Guards and Australians are
busily engaged in making a larger zereba for the
Camel Corps. New wells have continually to be dug,
as the water supply becomes constantly shorter.
Some mining engineers, who are officers in the
Australian Contingent, have found by experimental
blasting a reef of rock two miles from Tambouk pro-
mising a quantity of copper.
Mr. Kennett Barrington has just returned to
Souakim from Tambouk, where be distributed, on
behalf of the National Aid Society, seven camel loads
of " comforts " among the Scots Guards and the
Royal Engineers. General Freemantle addressed the
men, telling them from whom came the welcome
gifts, which are highly appreciated.
Distributions have also been made among the Cold-
stream Guards, the Camel Corps, and the Hospital
Staff at Otao and Tambouk. Sir Allen Young, who
is now quite well again, is actively engaged in the dis-
tribution of stores at the base, while Mr. Barrington
is employed at the front.
The Daily Telegraph Special Correspondent in a
message from Souakim, dated April 28th, 6.40 p.m.,
says:
The Marines will be sailing at dawn to-morrow, and
will take with them the best wishes of all in camp and
the warmest compliments of the general staff. This
splendid corps has done great work here, and has
been the terror of the Arabs.

Sixty rank and file, with three officers, have been
detailed for service in China on board the Sphinx.
The Dolphin and Carysfort remain here.
A stop has been put to the railway advancing
beyond Otao. The Arabs last night feebly attempted
to injure the line by scooping out sand under the
rails.

Mr. Brewster's affairs with the tribes are proceed-
ing. As usual, the Amarars are shilly-shallying,
being suspicious of our intentions and doubting that
we shall return in the autumn. .