The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-09
The Garrison of Metemneh Preparing for a
Stubborn Resistance in the Event of
an Attack by the British.
The English War Office Extremely Ret
icent as to Gen. WOlseley's Plans.
A Possibility that Gordon Is Still Alive
Severe Criticism of WOlseley's Campaign
by the Newspapers of France.
PREPARING FOR A FIGHT.

Great Activity of the Arabs at Metemneh-
Reticence to Wolseley's Plans.
LONDON Feb. 9.-News from Gubat is that
the rebels are actively preparing for another en-
counter. Loop holes are being made in the
houses in Metemneh, and rebel videttes are
keeping an active lookout for a British attack on
the town.
The recent convoy from Gakdul, when three
miles distant from that point, met ], 600 rebel
cavalry and infantry. The rebels were shelled,
and soon dispersed The convoy was unhurt.
The light camel corps has arrived at Gubat.
The Mahdi is drawing immense supplies from
the Merawi district.
The War Office maintains the utmost silence
regarding the plans of Woseley.
Cairo kilograms report council of war at
which Gen. Stephenson was present. He advised
a retreat of the troops from Metemneh on Korti,
and concentration of the entire force towards
Berber. and, after the capture of Berber. to wait
the expedition coming from Suakim before
making an advance on Khartoum Mil
itary authorities estimate that this plan
involves a delay in the advance upon
Khartoum until autumn, because the hot
weather, which begins next month, will make
it impossible for the English forces to stand the
march.
Shekh GENIAL Ed-Din, a we'll known Moham-
n'edan agent, now in Paris, has been interviewed
on the Soudanese rebellion. He thinks General
Gordon still alive, but if dead, that he
fell fighting. The Mahdi he says, would re-
spect General Gordon prisoner and might
be willing to open negotiations for the exchange
of General Gordon for Arab Pasha, whom the
Mahdi honors as true servant in the cause of
Mahomet.s The Mahdi might make partial peace
with the English, but never permanent peace
He would refuse to accept the title of viceroy,
or any other title from the Khedive or from the
Sultan, but would remain the Mahdi He aimed
at the conquest of the Soudan, and hoped a ris-
ing would take place in Arabia, against the
Turks
English Occupation Will Not Be Permanent.
LONDON, Feb. SIN an interview between
Earl Granville and Iehmi Pasha the Turkish
envoy the former told the latter that the
English government intended, for po-
litical and financial reasons, to evacuate
Egypt, but it was impossible to specify
the exact period for withdrawal. The
British government he said, being a con-
stitutional government and dependent on pub
lie opinion, which compelled the Cabinet to send
an expedition to the Soudan, would not
permit the evacuation of Egypt without some
reward for England's sacrifices; that the
proposed Turkish expedition to Suakim was mop
perfume and that the Sultan's sovereignty over
Egypt would be respected Earl Granville coun-
seled the Porte not to raise a question with
ItalV in connection with the annexation of
Beilul He held that Italy's commercial inter
ests at Assab compelled her to extend her
authority over the adjacent district