The Portland daily press., 1885-02-16
is GORDON ALIVE ?
Several Conflicting Reports Re-
ceived from Khartoum.
Urgent Demand that a British Force
be Sent to Kassala.
Gen. Graham to Leave for Suakin
Wednesday.

LONDON, Feb I4.-The Standard this afternoon
publishes despatch from its correspondent at Kor-
| ii, stating that messenger who has just arrived
at Korti delares that Khartoum had not been cap
| tured by the Mahdi. The messenger, the CORES
| pondent says, asserts that he left Khartoum six
days after Col. Sir Charles Wilson appeared before
the city the boats sent from Gubat, and that
when the messenger left Gen. Gordon still held
Khartoum. Government officials do not believe the
messengers story, and state that official infor-
| nation confirmatory OF it has been received.
Another dispatch from Korti states that the mes
sengers who have arrived from Khartoum profess
Ignorance regarding the fall OF Khartoum of the
| death or Gen. Gordon. The Mudir of Dongola re.
| OF khartoum by the Mahdi and the massacre of
| Gen. Gordon and the garrison under bis command.
Ihe authorities here announce this afternoon that
they do not believe that the messengers state
ment rest on satisfactory basis
The Times still clngs to the hope that Gen. Cor
don is alive 1t thinks that the saddle-bag docu-
ment was possibly ruse made use OF in the hope
of preventing tho British advance upon Khartoum,
as as it was then too late to rescue Gen. Gordon
The Times asks: If Gordon had been killed and
KhartoUm captured, why did not the Mahdi let Col.
Wilson land there, and then massacre him and his
party?
A telegram was received at the war Office today
from Gen. Woseey in which that officer sends an
account of the fail OF Khatoum given by native
who eye witness to the entrance of the reb-
els int the town. Khartoum, this informant says,
was entered by Ell Mahdrs forces at daybreak on
the morning of January 26th, and Gen. Gordon
was killed by volley from the rebel riemen while
on his way from his headquarters to the Austrian
consulate The Austrian consul was killed in his
residence and the Greek consul ia held a prisoner
by the Mahdi.
The press association states under reserve that
late on Saturday night the war Office sent a tele-
gram to Miss Gordon at Southampton to the effect
tdat Khartoum had not fallen and that Gen. Cor
don vas safe.
Popular Cry for British Force 10 Re
Heve she Gallant Garrison.
LONDON, Feb. 14.-The news that Ell Mahdi has
sent reinforeements to the Arab force besieging
Kassala has raised popular cry that British
force be sent at to relieve Kassaa In support
OF this demand made upon the government, the
bravery of the garrison at Kassaa in calamity de
Tending the place for nearly year against large
odds is pointed out as sufficient reason alone for
the sending of British expedition to rescue them
before they meet the same fate that befeI other
garrisons who remained loyal to England, and
were then compelled by starvation to surrender to
the Mahdj. 1t is suggested in some quarters that
the Italian troops atAlassowah be requested to
| lieve the garrison at Kassala as they would meet
with but little dificulty in advancing Kassala
from MassoWah
10y of the French Over El Mahdi's Vic
tory at Khartoum.
PARIS, Feb. 14.-Ei Mahdi is the hero of the day
on the boulevards, well the Nile. His por-
trait ornaments the newspaper stands and sensa-
| tional melodrama bearing his name is soon to be
produced i'll one of the Paris theatres. His victor
les at first were hailed with delight as so many ad
ditional nails in John Bulls cofn but exulfation
lS now giving way TO alarm about the
| thatsmay ensue in Tunis and Algeria. Parlsians
say it is all very well for John Bull to have shis
petite Tonquln in the Soudan but, carried too far
the consequences may make it necessary for France
to renew the struggle which cost her dear in
day of Abd-el-kader. The opposition papers no W
| ask whether NJ. Ferry did not make a mistake
when he went hand and glove with Prince Bis
maTck.
A Battle Near AT Hand.
LONDON, Feb. l4.-It is now thought certain
that an attack on Metemneh by British forces at
| Gubat viii be made tomorrow as contemplated 1t
said that Lord Wolselsys disposal of the forces at
present at Gubat under command of Col. Edward
Butler depends upon the result Of to-morrow's as
sault.
inst He win be left the fullest option to the
time to be occupied by the expedition in intren CHI
ing Berber. IL is stated that General Graham in
tends to make forced marches all the way to
Berber from Suakim. If he encounters Osman
Digna and defeats him, Gen. Graham believes he
can reach Berber within twenty days. 1t would
take thirty days to complete the journey with am
army marchiag ordinary time.
AT council of war held to day at the war Office
IL was resolved to increase the Indian continge to
| be despatched to the Soudan for Gen. Woseley's
relief to $500 men, in order to raise the total eff
fq5ita q52ita6Ifl6h Is If 5d6 nsh a f. hs Council
also again considered the colonial offers of nilitav
assistance Booth the Earl of Northbrook.and Mar
qus of Harrington urged the war office to assent to
the requests to embody the colonial contingents in
Troops for Berber.
LONDON, FeD. 16.-Gen. Graham with his staff
will leave London next Saturday for Cairo. The
expectation Of the war officials is that the force
start from Suakm will reach Berber. If the march
proves successful, by April 25.
Existence of the English ssovernmeut Hm-
peFilied.
At the approaching session of Parliament the
political conflict against the present government
viii open on the presentation of the governments
demand for vote of credit of e2 SOC, 900 on ac
count Of the Snakim expedition. 1t is understood
fIuag will
new credit, but that they will accompany their vote
with vote OF censure against the government. An
early dissolution and appeal to the people is now
expected and discussed.
II. Courtney and John Maley, members of Parlia-
ment, are making arrangements TO hold confer
ence of all the Liberal members of Parliament who
are opposed to the continuance of the war in Sou
dan. They have already been assured Of the adher-
taking an Independent line of action against the
government. These movements may imperil the
the vote of censure.
GENERAL NOTES.
Government has decided to accept the offer of
contingent from New South Wales.
report that the Ell Mahdi's troops are marchnp
to an attack on Kassala has led to a renewal Of
negotiations with Italy for the despatch of an Ital
ianexpedition from Massowah for the relief of the
garrison.
The English government will at once send bal
loon corps 10 the Soudan for service in observations
and signalling.
An arab newspaper says: The Mahdi intends to
proclaim himself King Of Nubia when he captures
Shendy.
Five eminent Austrian staff officers RECENTLY an
piled for permission TO offer their services to the
British authorities to assist the English expedition
IN Egypt, but their request was refused.
1t is denied that the Italian Government has sent
any explanation to the French authorities regard
ing the Italian expedition to the Red Sea. The
Liberia Rossegna and the Tribune all speak in a
common tone refusing any right on the part of
France to interfere with Italys action directly or
Indirectly. The colonial policy of Italy they saw
has developed regions in which France has no
claims and the Italian government to give France
any assurance limiting the action of Italy would be
to act with feebleness.
At the request of Gen. Wolsely, Hassan Bey,
brother of the Khedive has assumed command Of
the Egyptian troops ig Soudan with the title of gov
eral general. This plan if expected to have good
effect upon the Soudanese as showing that England