Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-02-12
Ell MADHI'S VICTORY.
The False Prophet Scores a Decided
Success.
Anxiety Felt for the safety of Gordon

Great CONSERVATION was occasioned In London
on the 5th by the following issued from the
war office at 80 p. IN:
kilograms from Gen. Wolseley announce that
the fall Of Khartoum took place on Jan &c He
says Col. Wilson arrived at Khartoum Jan. rs
and was greatly surprised TO find that the enemy
we're In possession OF thai place. lie im-
mediately started on his return down the river
and proceeded under "A heavy fire from the
rebels. When some miles below the Shublaka
cataract Col. Wilson's steamers were wrecked,
but he and his whole party managed to reach
an island In safety where they are secure. A
steamer has gone TO bring them back to the
British camp near Metemneh. Gen. Wclseley
says he has no information regarding the fate
Of Gen. Gordon and does not know whether
he Is dead or alive.
The report that Khartoum had been taken
by rebels reached Korti by messengers from
Gubat
At2p m. the bulletin said: There is no
longer any doubt that the mahdi holds pos
session Of Khartoun. Some hopes are enter
tanned that Gen. Gordon nay still re holding
out In the citadel OF the town. Meanwhile the
excitement In London and everywhere
throughout the British isles where the news Is
known is rising to fever heat Clubs and pub
lie resorts OF every description are thronged
with crowds OF people eager To catch the last
syllable OF intelligence from the distant
Egyptian desert. Through Fleet street and
the Strand 1t is almost impossible 10 make
| ones way, so crowded are the thoroughfares
with throngs of curious and excited citizens.
| Most people take gloomy view Of the posi-
| ton OF British troopsi In Soudan. The jubilent
| gladress which has characterized England In
| regard to Egypt ever since the welcome news
| Of Stewards successful arrival in the neigh.
| borhood OF Metemneh was received has given
way to universal depression and expressions
Of dismay and foreboding come from almost
| everybody. IL is too early TO estimate the in-
| fuence Of the news on the political situation.
| TheWar Office is besieged with army officers
| rendering their services for active duty In the
| Soudan.
The first news OF the fall of Khartoum re-
ceived by Gen. Wolseley was brought by a
messenger who left the island where Colonel
| Wilson was stranded and come on foot to
Gubat Two messengers were dispatched 10
Korti, via Abu Klea and Gakdul. they reach
| ed their destination, which event is regarded
| as due to the news Of Khartoum's fall not be-
ing known in the desert. Intelligence of the
disaster, however, has since spread far and
wide. Some tribes that hitherto have profess
| ed friendship for England have declared for tl,e
Mahdi. The Arabs still hold Metemneh. The
| garrison there received the news of the fall OF
| Khartoum with repeated savos OF artillery.
When Col. Wilson's flotilla approached KhaT
toum 1t vas compelled TO run the gauntlet OF
| a heavy fire from both banke. The rebels had
four krupp guns on the river banks at Hallu
jeh TO lombard steamers. When the British
| force reached Omdurman numbers OF the reb
els continued the fusillade. Things looked
| worse when 1t was discovered the enemy was
n possession of the island of rutti, Just out.
side the city. The English still pushed ahead
but were dismaI ed 10 iud the garrison conf
menced firing upon them. No flags were fly
ing from public buildings and the town appear
ed In undisputed possession OF the enemy. The
palace seemed Quilted. Finding IL impossible,
| TO land In the face OF the Overwhelming num-
bers OF rebels, the British were obliged TO retire
Rumors concerning the fate OF Gen. Gordon are
many and varied, but all agree that the Mahd
captured khartoum By treAchery. Most relia
BILE reports point to one Faraz Pasha as the
traitor. IL is said that he, being left in charge Of
the ramparts opened the gates JAN 26 anC
admitted the enemy. Some rumors state tina
the mahdi, together with few Levantines
were cooped up in church. Others say Gen
Gordon was seen wearing the mahdi's uni
form. The majority agree, however, that Gen
Gordon was killed.
HOW 1T WAS DONE.
A native reports that the mahdi had 90, Cox
men In the vicinity OF Khartorm and he in
troduced number OF his emissaries into tn
city. These emissaries mingled freely witt
| native troops under Gen. Gordon and by
brides, threats and working on their religion!
feelings induced them 10 mutiny. Sever
thousand Of the garrison deserted TO the rebels
leaving Gordon only $500 faithful soldiers
With this small force he attempted TO hole
the city against the Mahdi's great army bu
OF the rebels were killed, lie was compelled u
|