The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-02-07

CHICAGO req mo loilo"illS Ill
patches have been received from London:
LONDON, Feb 6-Gan Lord Wpl eley has
been in almost constant communication with
the war Office since the news of the fall OF
Khartoum, and messages iuterchangmS
views on the situation in Egypt have been
flashed TO and fro as rapidly a possible.
The cabinet officials seem fully alive to the
danger Of further delay, and are actively
discussing and dev.sing means by which
prompt RELIEF may be afforded the little
army in Egypt
The latest dispatch from Gen Wolseley,
received at t1e war Office Friday morning,
IS couched in such terms rs to leave no doubt
that the situation Of the British troops is
desperate He says that he is in receipt of a
communication from Gen. Sir Radyers But
ler the commanding officer at Gubat,
urging the immediate forwarding of rein
forcenlents Gen. Butler states that since
the new of the capture of khartcum by
the mahdis forces, the enemy has become
bold end defiant At intervals they
approach in large bodies to within fow
hundred rods Of the British position, and he
expresses the fear that should they combine
for another attack they may overwhelm and
annihilate his small fore. "Of course, adds
the general, Il can embark my forces on tine
steamers here, but | hav determined not to
abandon the position which was SO gallantly
obtained by my predecessor, while one of us
is left alive, unless otherwise commanded by
you"
Gen WolseIey telegrapas that in the face
Of this information he has concluded TO ask
further instructions from the war Office and
! meantime remain quiescent.
Mr. Gladstone, upon being acquainted
with the tenor Of this dispatch, resummoncd
the members Of his cabinet. They are now
! in session, and the result of their delibera-
| tons is anxiously awaited.
! An official dispatch from Gen. Wolseley
/ received at the war office states that Col.
! Wilson'S loss in his retreat from khartGum
was one killed and five woGn led. The gem
| eral opinion among the officers ut Gabut
and Korti, based on Information from Col
! Wilson, is that Gen. Gordon is dead. The
| mahdi's messenger who parleyea with Col.
| Wilson near Kbartoulu. brought a peremp-
| tory summons for his surrender. He also
stated in reply to a question that Gordon
was neither dead nor a prisoner, but was
wearing tho mahdjs uniform.
| The cabinet counci! after long, and it Is
said a stormy session on the Snudan crisis,
| has decided to give Gen. WoseIey carte
! blanche discretion in the whole matter. Tele-
grams have been forwarded t. Korti to this
effect, and Gen Wolseley has beeI
directed to state his needs without reserve
He can have a the men AMI material from
| England that he pleases, or, should he deem
| it best n large contingent of Indian troops
will be forwarded to upper Egypt.
The broad measures resolved upon 10y
Gladstone and his colleagues have some
what satisfied public desire, and a feeling
| of greater satisfaction is expressed at tie
determined attitude which the ministry
have decided TO assume in the circumstances
Gen. Wolseley informs the government
that he will be unable to reach Kbartoum ii
less than five weeks. when the hot season
will have commenced. He assures the min
istry that he feels still confident of his ability
to successfully attack Khartoum and defea
the false prophet, but he says the operation
necessary to achieve these results will nov
be difficult and hazardous.
The Times commenting upon the fall o
khartoum and the probable fate of Gen
Gordon says: "The news OF the fall of tina
solitary figure, the gallant Gen Gordon
vino so long kept the flag of England aloft
defying the fanatical hordes of the follow
y