Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-07
LONDON, Feb, 6.

LONDON, Feb, Is.
The London morning papers contain no
farther Information relative 70 the fall of
Khartoum. Nothing seems to be known at
Cairo except the news telegraphed there from
London, fhe papers can find room for
nothing except the tall of khartOum. There
are columns upon columns of the history of
the siege and OF the efforts to relieve the
place by means OF Gen. Wolsevs futile ex-
petition up the river, and there are whole
pages devoted to letters aud dispatches show
ing the country in regard to Gordon's fate.
The Times, in a leading editorial this
morning, says that the shock the news of the
fall OF khartoum causes has no parallel in
the experience of the present generation.
The Daily News says that seldom in the
memory of living men has the news been re-
ceived of such a disaster to England. The
cry of Too late :" against the government is
uniustitied The News thinks that Colonel
| Wilson's steamers might have arrived at
khartoum earlier than they did. 1t feels
convinced that national calamity will not be
utilized in the fuftherance of party feeling.
The Daily Telegraph says that the situa-
ton is one Of grave and complicated diff
Guilty. Ii is right that all should wait for the
decision of the ministry upon whose shoul-
ders the responsibility rests, and who must
ton Nothing can be gained by wild re-
proaches for bygone delays. If the govern
ment cannot rescue Gen. Gordon, let it daily
no longer but retire The Mahdi must be
brushed. The government has a great mis-
fortune to repair but 1t has no disgrace to
lament Ali nov needed is that our states
men rise to the heroic level of our soldiers
A despatch from Suakim states that friend
iy tribes have managed to revictual kassala
and have passed 250 csmels loaded with
grain into the town. successful sortie was
recently made from Chair on Steltt river
Another attack was lately made by a friendly
tribe upon hostile tribes of Gallabad country.
The latter were defeated with a heavy loss
All these occurrences are from one to five
weeks old. but they are just now given out
by the war office.
General Woiseley .telegraphed from Korti
to the war office this afternoon that a courier
had arrived from the British camp near
Metemneh who reports that the rebels at
Metemnch have become defiant since hearing
of the fall of khartoum. The courier also
saws an attack on Gubat NAV be looked for
at any m0mont As the rebels expect reinforce
ments from khartoum Lord Wolselev
states that he will remain quiet pending fur
ther orders from the government.
The cabinet met at Ii o'clock this morning
to consider what course should be taken in
regard to the present Egyptian emergency.
1t was decided to send telegrsphic orders to
India for dispatch of Indian troops to Sua-
kim and meanwhile to reinforce the garrison
at Suskim by drafts of troops from England
and the Mediterranean. The opinion OF the
ministery is in favor of a strong, active and
vigorous policy. The ministry will sanction
any demand of Lord Wolseley which will aid
10 the defeat of the Mahdi and will secure
the release of General Gordon, if alive. or
wreak vengeance upon the Arabs if he is
slain. Telegraph lines between Lond on and
korti are entirely occupied with de spatches
between the cabinet and Lord Wolseley.
LONDON, Feb. g.
From Cairo, all the military advice coun-
sells, an immediate dispatch for the whole
British force in lower Egypt. for the capture
of Berber. and the sending of not less than
l4,O0o reinforcements from England or India
to Suakim TO ensure the retreat of the other
troops, or the chastisement of the Mahii's
Arabs, whichever shall De decided on Gen.
Wolseley says It will take five weeks to reach
Khartoum.
Astonishment has been caused by the re-
port that the cabinet at its last session, today.
considered dispatch received from Lord
Nolseiey, asking for instruction. In this dis
patch Gen. Wolseley informs the government
that he will be unable to reach Khartoum in
less than five weeks, when the hot season
will have commenced.
He assures the ministry that he feels still
confident OF his ability to successfully attack