The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-25
England Appeals to King John, of Abyssinia,
to iberate the Beleaguered Garri-
sons of Southern SOudan.
An Immediate Advance Of the British
Forces Ordered from Trinkitat.
Russia TO Be Asked to Explain the Annexa-
tiOn of Merv-The French Preparing
to Operate Against Bacninh.
THE CAPTURE OF TOKAR.
The Gladstone Ministry Embarrassed by
Events in Egypt.

The Gladstone Ministry Embarrassed by
Events in Egypt.
LONDON, Feb. A.-Its characteristic bad luck
still pursues the Gladstone Cabinet in Egypt
The fall of Tokar is aggravated by the circum-
stances which attended it. The garrison had
plenty of food and ammunition, knew of the
early approach of the British, and had heard the
firing of their gunboats. The inference is that
they preferred to surrender themselves to their
fellow Moslems rather than be rescued by Chris
tian foreigners The position of the government
with regard to the anticipated expedition is
awkward to the degree of absurdity. Immediate
withdrawal would plunge all Europe into war.
Jingo critics urge an attack on Osman
Digma just for the sake of show
ing fight, but others object that
this might endanger Gordon Pasha's
pacific mission. On the other hand the special
correspondents, who are all naturally warlike,
send alarmist rumors of the spread of the insur-
rection to Massowah and urge the necessity for
some immediate and energetic action In the
meantime Gen. Gordon's action though most
extraordinarily successful, seriously embar-
rasses the Prime Minister An antslave2y out
cry is very easily raised in England, and ALWAYS
provokes fierce outbrrsts of feeling, and Gen
Gordon's proclamations have an ugly look of en-
couraging slavery. The rational explanation is.
probably, that Gen. Gordon has to endure what
he can not cure and saws so with a characteris-
tic franSness.
Colonel Burnaby, correspondent of the Post
telegraphs from SuaRim that three courses are
open to the English First, the recapture of
Tokar, chastlsing the enemy if encountered
meanwhile, to recover and decently inter the
remains of Captain Monerieff consul at Suakim;
secondly, to try and attack Osman Digma leader
of the rebels, and dsperse his forces; thirdly to
ship troops to Massowah and from there attempt
the relief of Kassala, and after doing this
march to khartoum. He advises the use of the
Indian troops stationed at Alden. Admiral
Hewitt BAKER PaSha and General Graham have
started for Trinkitat. Osman Digma is re
ported to be at Teb with a large force and eager
for Il fight.
A Cairo dispatch says; General Graham, com
mander of the Tokar expedition, has teegraphed
General Stephenson an urgent request for rein
forcements of artillery, he is armed only with
camel guns against Osman Digma's artillery
The news of the surrender of Tokar has spread
throughout the Soudan as an English defeat
The rebels are negotiating with Kassaa and
other garrisons to induce them to join Ell Mahdi
The government has ordered Admiral Hewett
to send Commander Wolfe to King John, of
Abyssinia with instructions to offer to surrender
part Of the district of Sankeet a portion of terri
tory taken from Abyssinia by General Gordon.
on condition that the Abyssnians march to lib
crate the Egyptian garrisons in southern Soudan
The King demands an interview with Admiral
Hewett and the concession of Massowah without
waiting to negotiate.
General Stephenson sent telegram from
London, to-day. strongly urging that an advance
be made from Trinkitat The Secretary of State
for War, in reply, ordered an immediate ad-
vance. He also asked that the Europeans
killed at Teb be buried in a fitting manner
A number of Nuban troops assembled at the
Sualim wharf to-day to embark for Trnkitat
At the last moment they refused to proceed.
saying their bullets would not penetrate the
shields of the rebels, and asking why they were
required, since British troops had been sent. The
military authorities decided to employ the Nu-
bians as camel drivers.
The whole British expedition, numbering
1900 men, landed at Trinkitat to-day Rebels
could be seen on all sides The
men-of-war Jumna, Hecla Ranger
Carysfort, and Orontes are at Trinkitat and
the Eureyolus, Decoy, and Sphinx at Suakim
General Graham has sent forward from Trinkitat
200 cavalry, and more are following A general
advance will be made tomorrow. A fort has
been erected 5000 yards from Trinkitat.
1t is common talk in the bazaar, at Suakim
that Osman Digma will very soon make an at
tack on that place, in which event it is expected
the black inhabitants will declare for Ell NIahdi
and massacre Europeans.