Daily Republican., 1882-07-13
A FLAG OF TRUCE.

LONDON, July II, 3 80 P. MA dis
patch from Admiral Seymour, sent at
3 O'Clock this afternoon, says: There
were no response to to.day's firing. A
flag of truce was hoisted at noon at the
arsenal, where the minister of war and
the official divan are A gunboat I'M
der flag of truce proceeded at once to
open communication.
A dispatch to Reuters Telegram,
dated at Alexandria at midnight, says;
"The Bittern, after taking Flag Lieu
tenant Lambton on board, proceeded to
the harbor to learn the object of the
flag of truce, information was conveyed
to the commander of the Bittern that
Toulba Pasha, the military commander
in Alexandria, wished to communicate
with Admiral Seymour.
Lieut.. Lambton replied that as a
preliminary condition to further nego-
tiations the forts dominating to entraL &c
Of the harbor must be surrendered.
Toulba Pasha refused to accept these
terms, and the Bittern returned to &C.
quaint the Admiral with his refusal.
It was understood among the officers
that firing would be resumed at 4
O'Clock in the afternoon, but no order to
that effect was given.
The Egyptians subsequently hoisted
second flag of truce, and the Helcon
was thereupOn sent TO obtain lntorma-
ton. The Bittern ascertained that the
Khedive was safe, having gone with
Dervish Pasha to the Ramlah Palace
At 8 O'Clock the Bittern was seen
steaming out of the harbor. AS she
came out she signalled Negotiations
have failed. | have accordingly in
formed the authorities on shore that
you will engage the batteries at half,
past three" From this 1t seemed as II
the officer and staff observed in the
hospital battery, finding themselves in
a dangerous position and unable to es-
cape, had simply hoisted flag OF truce
in order to get out Of fire. There was
great indignation expressed that five
hours should have been wasted in abor'
tive negotiations, while meantime the
swell had increased SO much that the
fire from the vessels, if hostilitiss were
resumed, would be Ineffective. .
At halfpast 3 the. Bittern arrived
alongside Lieut. LambtOn reported that
the object of hosting the flag OF truce
was to gain time. When the Bittern
went in, large bodies of troops were
evacuating the barracks behind the
forts, going out in full marching order.
The ministers had no proposals to MAKE
Lieut. Lambton informed them that he
had not come to offer conditions, but to
receive proposals. He informed them
that we did not consider ourselves at
war with Egypt, but that the Mex
Fort must be occupied by our troops
and Fort Marabout be destroyed. They
replied that Bort Marabont had already
been evacuated, but they could give no
definite answer as to the Mex fort.
Finding that no agreement was ike
~, and being unwilling to waste FUR
ther time, Lieut.. Lambton left. The
military governor conducted the con-
versation that took place. He was in
command during the action yesterday,
He admitted that the troops had suffered
heavy losses. Lieut.. Lambton in
formed him that should he agree to
terms the troops would be allowed to
evacuate the forts with their rifles and
all the honors of war, but unless these
terms were complied with no negotia-
lions could be entered upon. AS the
Bittern steamed out the Egyptians
hauled down the flag Of truce. Orders
have been given to the Temeraire and
Superb to fire two rounds at Fort Pha-
ros. We shall do the same at the Mex
Fort. If there ia not reply we shall
anchor for the night and resume opera
tions to- morrow.