The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-12-31
FOREIGN.
Victory Won by the British Troops in
Egypt.
The Mahdi's Forces Routed After
Desperate Fighting.
Scheme to inaugurate MussuIman
Revolt Brought to Light.
Earl cowper Says the Irish Do Not
Want Home Rule.
Leaders Accused of Being sActuated
with Mercenary Motives.

VIENNA, Dec. oV.--A SENSATIONAL STORY
from Constantinople is given great promi-
nence by the press today, and causes no lit
tie comment. 1t is to the effect that there is
agreat scheme to inaugurate a Mussulman
revolt in the Russian trans-Caspian province
in case of hostilities between Russia and
Turkey. But few particulars are given, and
the story seems to have had its origin in the
late trouble over the Afghan boundary con-
troversy.
For some months there has been an un-
usual number of arrivals at Constantinople
of dervisheS and native officers, from the
Nerve and Khiva districts especially. They
have been entertained by Turkish govern
ment officials, and a number of the more
prominent have been daily frequenters of
the palace. and have also been seen often in
company with Sir William White, the Brit
ish ambassador Upon this fact is based the
story that in event of an Austrian Russian
mer, and England, through Afghanistan,
will instigate Bokhara, Toorkomania, Xiii
va and Khokand districts to revolt against
the Gar. Attacked ON both si1es, Russia
will have to give way at one point, and Eng
land hopes thus to drive the Russians so far
from the Afghanistan frontier that Herat
will be free from danger for years to come.
CoNsTANTINoPLE, Dec. 3O.-Evidently
alarmed at the storm raised, the Eastern
ROumelian authorities have made haste to
disclaim any intention of opposing the fortl-
flying of the Balkans by Turkey, and this
morning dispatched a note to the Porte to
that effect. The latter has, however, wisely
determined to continue the military demon
strations upon the frontier. Three men-o1-
war and number of commissioned officers
left today for Alexandria. The latter VIII
participate in the approaching British CAM
paign about being inaugurated against the
Soudan rebels at Korasko.
A very uneasy feeling prevails here in all
official circles over the growing war cloud
between Austria and Russia. AS their quar-
rel is really over the question of which shall
be allowed the largest slice of Turkish terri
tory, very little satisfaction can be found in
their impending struggle. 1t has been de-
cided to arm $4,000 additional reserves, and
the recruiting and outfitting stations and
depots were again opened this morning. The
people are periodically responding.
Fighting in Egypt.
CAIRO, Dec 3O.-A dispatch from Koseh
seys: Lieut.. Gen. Stephenson, commander
of the British forces in Egypt, who recently
arrived here with reinforcements, attacked
the rebels, who had been menacing the gar
risOn for several weeks. A three hours
fight ensued, resulting in the British troops
capturing Ginniss, village near Koseh.
The rebels were completely routed. The
English lost one officer killed and q men
wounded. The Egyptian allies of the Brit
ish lost six killed and thirteen wounded.
A recent report stated that the Arabs at
Gidniss and Abai numbered 1000, of which
11Oo were rifiemen.. They had six guns and
ed in earthworks, and the line of fire was di-
rect on the Nile so as to oppose the passage
of steamer. Abd-el-Kader Pasha, Minis
ter of War, formerly governor of the Sou
dan, in a recent conversation on the Egyp-
tian question, said: "If the English retire
on odu HaIfo fhay ct rntira ACcnnon
and if on Assouan, then on Cairo. Every
pace in advance gives the English hundred
friends; every pace in retiring gives them
| two hundred enemies, half in front, half in
rear. England may gain victory after yicto-
| nv, but if they are followed by retreat the
| English government has uselessly wasted
| blood There is not one in ten who will moi
| believe in England's defeat. | say that re-
| tirement now would be fatal" When asked
whether the question was insolnble, he re-
| piled, mo, it requires two things, first, a
| fixed policy to crush rebellion; secondly
money Let England attack the enemy in
| force, and after the latter's defeat open ne
| gotiations. With native emissaries and
| money England could detatch the soldiers
| who are now the backbone of the rebellion
| and also some tribes who are always jealous
| of each other" When asked what sun
| would be required the Minister said: Per.
| haps two million pounds, but this policy
| would be the cheapest in the long run"
British men -of-war have been ordered tC
| blockade the coast of Egypt from Massowal
| to SueZ, in order to prevent importation into
| the Soudan of arms arms and ammunition
| for the armies.
Heavy Shows in Scotland.
GLASGOW, Dec. 30.-An unusually heavy
| snow storm prevails throughout Scotland
| Snow to the depth of several feet has already
| fallen in some places. The roads are almost
| impossible and railroad traffic has been tenn
| porarily suspended. At Caithness a trair
| with three engines and snow-plough at
| tached is imbedded and win have to be dut
| out
The Irish Question.
LONDON, Dec. 30-Edward Stanhope, vice
| president of the council, in a speech today
| said Englishmen will not allow Irishmen tC
| dictate what policy is best for the welfare
and interests of the nation. Many persons
| are anxious to promote discussion of tn,
| Irish question with view of securing ar
| alteration of the constitution root anC
branch, but it is to be hoped that the wisdom
| of the members of the House of Com
mons will prevent their designs from be
| ing accomplished.
Earl Cowper who was Lord Lieut.. of Ire.
land from May 9Th, 1870, until April 28th
| 1882, under Mr. Gladstone's administration
| has written to the Times in regard to the
| Irish question. Earl Cowper says Home
| rule for its own sake is not desired by the
| Irish. ANY one can see by the perusal oi
| Irish newspapers Published during my OWL
| term of Office in Ireland, that they do not
L.. - II.