Morning journal and courier., 1885-02-09

ing in the Abyssinian Baptist church, Wa verly Place, and before the flames were ex- tinguished the belfry was damaged $500.
 A fire early this morning in the fve-storyi building at 22 Cole Place, occupied by the United States Electric and Engraving and Bradley 6 Co.,, electrotypers, caused a loss of $32,000 to stock and $5,0O0 to the building.
 At II o'clock this morning fire causing loss of SIG, 900 to stock and $5, 5000 to build ing occurred in Ward Ashwin & Co.'s hat block factory, ITO and 172 Center street.
 Packing House Destroyed,
 BALTIMORE, Feb. S.-The pork packing es- tablishment of G. Cassard 6 Sons, Nos. 4O9 to All West Baltimore street, was destroyed by fire this morning. Loss $75,OO0.
 MORE TROOPS FOR THE s0UDAN. Heavy Endorsements to be Sent at
 Once-Gordonss Fate Not Yet Certain
 ly Known-Contradict Stories
 Told by the Natives.
 LONDON, Feb. 8.-An important conference took place at the war office to-day between Lord Harrington, secretary for war, and the Duke of Cambridge, commander-in-chief of the army, lasting about three hours. It is understood that preparations were made for sending all available reenforcements to Egypt An official circular was issued this evening giving notice to all manufacturers of military and naval equipments that an extraordinary demand may be soon made. The war office has not any additional news regarding Cor don's fate. A despatch from General Wolss- ley advises giving to the public an explana- tion of the actual condition of affairs in the Soudan.
 A despatch from Metemneh says that five natives were present at the surrender of Khartoum They declare that the rebels ad- mitted the treachery of two pachas who had been formerly punished by General Gordon It is reported that the officers commanding the three steamers which remained at Khartoum took the Mahdi's troops to the city where they were admitted under the darkness of the night. Two of the natives declare that General Gordon has been killed, while the others are equally positive that he took refuge in the fort with the faithful There is no doubt whatever that the main DOT ton of Khartoum is occupied by the rebels Colonel Wortley saw them thronging the streets. Countless flags were flying and there were many signs of rejoicing. On the route down the river by the English steam CTS several of the British narrowly escaped capture. At the sixth cataract they were compelled to barley with the enemy under the pretence of an intention to surrender.
 A message has been received from the Mahdi stating that Gordon has become 8 Mussu1man, and that all the English officers said he had no desire to fight the English, but unless they embraced the true faith he would not leave one in the Soudan.
 The Arabic journal Mubashir, of Cairo, says that Fl Mahdi's council of war consists of the Ameers of Fl Rasher, Ell Aisgumer. Fl Obeid and Tendelni. All the war plans, it is stated, are formed by the Ameer of every Friday by Fl Mahdi's uncle. The provisions for the army are under the care of the Ameer of Fl Aisgu- mer. Seventy-four dervishes act as prayer reciters for the camp. Eight hundred wom- en and many children are with the Prophets camp.
 El Mahdi's success has spread alarm throughout all Turkish military and govern ment circles The moral effect of this suc- cess is most apprehended, and this, it is thought, must prove more detrimental to the interests of Turkey than to those of Eng land.
 Despatches from Korti indicate very serious state of affairs at the British position near Metemneh. Lord Wolseley telegraphs to the war office that courier who has ar rived from Gubat reports Colonel Boscawen, the commander at that place, seriously ill, and that the Mahdi's forces are preparing to attack the British camp. The Arabs have several heavy guns, which are being gradu- ally moved up so as to bear on the British camp, and other field pieces are being ma neuvered for the same purpose.
 Natives report that the Mahdi has 30,000 men scattered between Berber, Shendy and Metemneh, and that the force at the latter place is daily receiving achievements.
 On his way from Gubat to Khartoum on January 26th Colonel Wilson was told by natives along the Nile that General Gordon had been fighting hard for fifteen days. On January 27th native reported that General Gordon was dead. On the return from Khar- toum to Gubat several natives reported to Colonel Wilson's party that General Gordon and all the Coptic troops who had stood by him had been captured by Fl Mahdi's men and put to death. Later on during the re- turn journey several Shagiyeh men came aboard Colonel Wilson's boats and declared that it was the intention of their tribe to join the Mahdi. These men said that General Gordon, Consul Nicoi, fifty Greeks and some soldiers, when pressed to despera- tion, shut themselves up in Catholic church, whither they had removed quantity of ammunition and provisions.
 Advices from Gubat, dated February 1, give gloomy statements about the condition of General Stewards little army there The men had been placed on three-quarter ra- t1OnS. Theso ha0, however, been once sup plemented with dole of beans and some fresh meat. The camels, however, had plen- ty of forage. Shendy, on the opposite bank of the Nile, and Metemneh, three miles from Gubat, were occasionally shelled by steam er The troops were busily employed in clearing the ground in front of the camp and in detached work at adjoining villages. The l main earthworks erected for the protection of the camp from the river front had al ready been greatly strengthened, and it was l calculated that they would be completed that | night Several of the men who had been wounded in the desert battles had died in camp since the arrival of the army at Gubat The others were doing well. The remainder of the royal artillery and naval brigade, with ten guns, inclu1ing one Gardner, had as rived A convoy had been sent back to Gakdul Wells for more stores and had taken forty of the wounded along. Nearly every night the pickets exchanged shots with un- friendly Arabs. A second despatch received from Stewards camp at Gubat, whence it was forwarded OF | February 1, states that Colonel Wilson had on the island when he was stranded 250 ref ugees whom he found along the banks of the l Nile near Khartoum. The Gubat camp has been greatly strengthened. The troops are ID good spirits. Intelligence had been re | ceived that Fl Mahdi had threatened to at- | tack the camp with an overwhelming force A Turkish Fleet In Preparation. LONDON, Feb. Dispatches received from Constantinople tonight state that orders have been given to prepare a Turkish feet 1 for active service. The destination of these vessels is unknown, but it is believed the | preparation of the feet is inspired by the co l cupation of the Red Sea posts by Italy. Ths | obstinate attitude of the Porte and the pro l tests against the action of Italy by the Turk l ish government warrant this belief.
 No sympathy From Irishmen. l DUBLIN, Feb. S.-A large meeting of hisl nationalists was held today at Oakley, whicl | was addressed by Thomas Power OConnor M F., for Galway. In the course of hi l speech O'Connor said. fsGordon had as 1itEI l right to be in Khartoum as Earl Spencer ha l to be in Dublin. !" | massowah occupied By Italians.
 ROME, Feb. 8.-A detachment of troop
 from the Italian expedition.t to Assab Ba, has occupied Massowah. The occupation was effected without resistance on the par
 of the natives who were found to be yer
 friendly.
 Aged Men Pass Away.
 1 NEWPORT, R. T., Feb. S.-Two oetogenar
 ans have died here since Saturday. Thoms
 SWinburne. eighty-four. died Saturday nigh