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

hhartoum and defeat the Mahdi, but says the
I operations necessary TO achieve these results
will now be difficult and hazardous.
| Advlces from korti state that a number OF
/ spies have been dispatched 10 khartoum tC
ascertain the fate of Gen. Gordon.
2. M.-The cabinet council has adjourn.
ed after having been in session three and q
quarter hours.
The residence OF Gladstone has been placed
under special police protection.
PARIS, Feb. g.
French newspapers, in comments upon the
misfortune at khartoum, at most without ex.
ceptlon. agree in opinion that England will
prove herself fully equal TO the situation, bad
as it is.
LONDON, Feb. 6.
Lord Wolseley telegraphs late this after
noon, that he has been informed that Col
Wilson had one man killed and five wound
ed while returning down the Nile from Khar-
toum. messenger from the Mshdi sun
moned Col. Wilson TO surrender and at the
same time stated that Gen. Gordon was wear
ing the Mahdi's uniform. The general opin-
ion in military circles is that Gen. Gordon is
dead
1t Is understood that the cabinet council
today decided to give Lord Wolseiey, carte
blanche, TO take any measures he deems nee
essary for the rescue of Gen. Gordon, if alive,
and TO make use of such military operations
as he considers advisable to regain the ground
lost in Soudan by the fall of Khsrtoum.
Among the many alternatives suggested by
Gen. Wolseley are the immediate recapture
OF hbartoum, and the employment, if neces
sary, of India troops to reopen the Berber
route
Col Wortley, in charge of one Col Will
sons three steamers which succeeded in
reaching Gubat from khartoum. the two 9th
ers having been wrecked in the Nile between
the two places, furnishes detailed report of
the expedition. This shows that the three
steamers in command of Col Wilson, reached
khartouII, Jan. 2Sth, following the course of
the Nile On reaching Khartoum it was
found TO be utterly impossible to land troups
Then follows description of the firing by
the rebels as given in yesterdays reports.
Continuing, Col. Wortley says:
The government house at Khartoum ap-
peared to be wrecked One man was killed
and five others wounded during the attack on
the steamers Col. Wilson's steamer was
wrecked four miles above the enemy's posi-
uon. The second steamer was wrecked Jan.
18th. We reached Gubat in small boats the
same day that khartoum fell, Jan. 10Th, Ii
Is certain that Gen. GOrdon's fate is still in
doubt. Some say that he is with the Greeks
in their church at khartoum. The fall of
khartoum has decided the Shukriejh tribes TO
join the forces of the Mahdi which places
both banks of the Nile under control of the
enemy. The natives greatly fear the English
and the advance of Gen. Earle's column is
awaited with great anxiety BY them. The
natives say that FL Mahdi is hard pressed for
supplies and that he had great difficulty in
persuading the Emirs to attack us A carrier
brought the following message from FL Nah
dl: call upon you to surrender. | shall not
write again. If you do not become Moham-
medaps will wipe you off the face of the
earth. The statement is confirmed that Fa-
raz Pasha treacherously made terms with the
Mahdi, whereby the latter was enabled to
capture Khartoum.
Gen. Wolseley sends the following dispatch
to Tullots that the convey has reached Cuba,
safely. The enemy at Metemneh have been
entirely active since Jan. 26, The rebel force
there is estimated at between 1000 and 3 ,00C
men. The men are in good health. The
wounded are doing well.
kabbish tribes are still carrying messages
and supplies for us to Gakdal Wells. A
messenger has been sent to ascertain the fate
of Gen. Gordon.
Thr announcement is confirmed that at the
cabinet council today it was decided to give
Gen. Wolseley complete discretion as to thC
course to be pursued in the Soudan.
The government will give him any assis.
lance he may leed, by dspatching troops
! from Suakim to Berber. Gen. Woiseiev will
make every effort possible to save Gen.
Gordon, if alive.
The widest rumors are ahoat in Londor
tonight relative to the affairs in the Soudan
D IL uatl h. hat
shot during the attack on Khartoum The
| latest authentic news from there is contained
in Col. Wortleys report The government
continues to monopolize the wires, and even
private messages either way are refused trans
mission. The decision of the cabinet IT
giving Gen Wolselev carte blanche ha:
| caused the liveliest Joy everywhere. Groups
of people are gathered in the streets eagerly
reading the latest issues of the evening
papers.