Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-02-12
routed, losing 5000 men aud for emirs
one Of whom WAS nephew Of the Mahdi.



LONDON, Feb. 6 Arab had something
to do with bringing about Gorden's down
fall, II the story told to day by promi
neDt Clergyman Of London is to be cred
tied. This clergyman publishes letter
in an afternoon edition Of the L ndor
GLobs about meeting in the city lasi
November an Engyptian who has been q
prefeot Of police under Arab. The pre-.
fsot and preacher became we'll aoqusin.sd.
On Christmas last they bad long con.
vsrsation concerning the Egyptian situa.
tion. The Clergyman expressed the hope
that Lord Wolseley would soon enter
KLArtoum.
At this the project laughed aud said
that General Gordon was perfectly safe
| where he WAS and that Wolssl-y would
| not enter KhArtoum Mr.. Wilfred Blunt,
| the project continued, was the only
| living man able to effect for England
peaceful solution of the SOudsn
question. FL Mahdi had confidence in
him and would accept him as q mediator.
| 30 far as Lord Wolseley's expedition
was concerned, the prefeot said, Ri Mahdi
had arranged to allow II TO approach
Khartoum without any regular opposition.
The Prophet might fight at or near
Shendy, but II he did II would be merely
for the purpose of tempting Wolseley on
into further and greater risks. On no
account, however, would ri Mahdi fight
decisive battle until the British forces
were massed in the vicinity Of Khartoum.
General Gordon, the prefeot insisted,
WAS already, at the time Of the CONVERSE
tion, virtually prisoner. His 80 o.oslled
defense Of Khsrtoum WAS mere form, as
Ri Mahdi was not engaged in any attack
upon the town, because 1t was practically
in his power, and he could take 1t when.
ever he pleased. The Prophets plan was
to allow Lord Wolseley's army 10 sp-
take possession, and fight Wolseley from
that great point Of vantage. The prefeot
always insisted that General Gordon
would not be killed by Ri Mahdi.
The clergyman says that he recalls
this almost prophetic discourse by Arsbi's
prefeot Of police with the clearness Of
revelation now, especially that It has
been ascertsined that the man when In
London was there ss an emisssry of
ri Mahdi. The last thing the prefeot
said to the clergyman WAS: "General
Gordon will not be killed. LIE Mshdi
vous fera payer par le nez pour Gordon"
meaning that the Mshdi would make the
English pay through the nose for Gordon.
eoRDoN's FATE UNKNOWN.
LONDON, Feb. 6.-Colonel Wortley, in
charge Of the only one Of Colonel Will
sons three steamers which succeeded in
reaching Gubat from Khartoum-the two
others having been wrecked In the Nile
between the two plaoes-furnishes de
tailed report Of the movements Of the
expedition. This shows that three
steamers, in command OF Colonel Wilson,
reached Kbartoum January 2Sth, follow
log the course of the White Nile. On
reaching Khartouu It was found to be
utterly impossible to land the troops.
Then follows description OF the firing
by the rebels and the return Of the
steamers as given in yesterdays Asso-
oiated Press reports. Continuing, Colonel
Wortley says: /: The government house
at Khsrtoum appeared to be wrecked
One mal was killed and five others
wounded during the attack on the
steamers. Colonel Wilson's stesmer was
wrecked four miles above the enemy's
position below the bottom of the Shubiaks
cataract. The second steamer was
wrecked January 29th. We reached
Gubst in small boats the same day. That
Khartoum fell January 26,h is certain
General Gordon's fate is still In doubt,
the reports in regard to him being con.
hiotiDg 1t ia the general opinion, how
ever, that he was killed. Some say he
ia with the Greeks in their church al
Khsrtoum.
The fall of Khsrtoum hes dsSid.d !. ths
Mahdi, which places both banks OF the
MI. der the onirol OF the envy. Th
ms ives greatly fear the Eptlish, and the
AdyAroe Of Gsn. EArip's column IL
awaited with aux ssy by them. The
natives say E. MsLdi ls hard pressed 10
suppn and III I he h.d great fl ut,
IL p.reusdina the Bm'Ts % attack us
A messenger from Bl 1audi Reached
Co onel Wilson January 28.h He sa'd
General Gordon had d1pted III Nshdi's
uniform. The courier brought the fol
lowing message from ri MAhdi: II cali
upon you to surrender. / shall not wrise
again. II You do not become Mohamme
dams will wipe you eff the face of the
earth"
The statement Is confirmed that Fsrsz
Pasha treaoherously made terms with Ri
Aahdi, whereby the latter was enabled to
capture Khartoum.