The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-07
The London "Times" DenOuDces the Min
istry and the Campaign Plans.
The Mahdi Sends Letter to Wilson Demand
ing His Surrender, and Threatening
the determination of His Force
STEWARDS PERIL.
Wolseley Fears that Gubat May Be Attacked


Wolseley Fears that Gubat May Be Attacked
at Amy Moment.
LONDON, Feb General Wolseley telegraphs
from Korti to the War Office, this afternoon, that
a courier has arrived from the British camp near
Metemneh, who reports that the rebels at Me-
temneh have become defiant since hearing of the
fall of Khartoum. The courier also says an at
tack on Gubat may be looked for at any moment
as the rebels expect reinforcements from Khar-
toum. Lord Wolseley states that he will remain
quiet, pending further orders from the govern
ment
The Cabinet met at IL o'clock this morning
to consider what course should be taken in re-
gard to the present Egyptian emergency. It
was decided to send telegraphic orders to India
for the dispatch of Indian troops to Suakim
and meanwhile to reinforce the garrison at Sua-
kim by drafts Of troops from England and the
Mediterranean The consensus of opinion in
the Ministry is in favor of strong, active and
vigorous policy. The Ministry will sanction any
demand of Lord Wolseley which will aid in the
defeat of the Mahdi, and will secure the release
of Gen. Gordon, if alive, or wreak vengeance
upon the Arabs if he has been slain. The tele-
occupied with dispatches between the Cabinet
and Lord Woseley
Lord Wolseley telegraphs late this afternoon
that he has been informed that Col. Wilson had
one man killed and five wounded while return
ing down the Nile from Khartoum. A messen-
ger from the Mahdi summoned Col Wilson to
surrender, and at the same time stated that Gen
eral Gordon was wearing the Mahdi's uniform.
It is the general opinion in military circles that
General Gordon is dead
WILSON'S TRIP TO KHARToUM.
COL Wortley, in charge of the only one of Col
Wilson's three steamers which succeeded in
reaching Gubat from Khartoum-two others
having been wrec&ed-furnishes a detailed
report of the movements of the expedition
This shows that the three steamers in
command of Col. Wilson reached Khartoum
Jan. g. following the course of the White Nile.
Reaching Khartoum, it was found to be utterly
impossible to land troops Then follows de-
scription of the firing by the rebels and the re-
turn of the steamers, as given in yesterday s
Associated Press reports. Continuing Col.
Wortley says:
''The Government House at Khartoum appeared
wounded during the attack on the steamers.
Col Wilson's steamer was wrecked four miles
above the enemy's position. and below the bot
tom Of the Shubalaka cataract The
second steamer was wrecked on January
29 and we reached Gubat in the small
boats the same day. That Khartoum fell on
Jan. 26 is certain General Gordon's fate is still
in doubt Reports in regard to HIM are conflict
ing. The general opinion however, is that he
was killed. Some say no is with the Greeks in
their church at Kbartoum.
The fall OF khartoum has decided the
Shukriyeh tribes to join Ell Mahdi, which places
both banks of the Nile under control of the
enemy. The natives greatly fear the English.
and the advance of General Earle's column is
awaited with anxiety by them. The natives saw
Ell Mahdi is hard pressed for supplies and that
he had great difficulty in persuadng the emirs
to attack u.s.
"A messenger. from Ell Mahdi reached Colonel
Wilson on Jan. 60 He said General Gordon
had adopted Ell Mahdi's uniform. This courier
brought the following message from Ell Mahd
81 call upon you to surrender. shall not
write again. If you do not become Mohammed-
ans / will wipe you off the face of the earth"
The statement is confirmed that Furaz Pasha
made terms with Ell Mahd
whereby the latter was enabled TO capture Khar-
toum.
General Wolseley reports to the government
that Ialthough the Mahdi's regulars are re-
ported gathering around the point where
the English are wrecked there
are no suspicious of treachery
entertained The wreck of the steamers was
due to hurried retreat, night, and the altered
current of the river, which had fallen Two feet
in single day. Some of our marksmen
say the enemy lined the earthworks
both banks Of the river for two miles north Of
Khartoum. and that they number altogether
about 5000, Of whom 1000 are indiffer.