Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-12
FOREIGN NEWS.
ANOTHER BLOW TO ENGLAND.
Death of Gen. Earle-ltaly to As.
sist England-Doubts of Gen. Cor
dOn's Desth-Gordon's Fore.
warning Suakim.Ber.
ber Railway-Offi.
cial Appoint.
ments.

LONDON. Feb. l2
Gen. Earle was killed Tuesday, during the
storming of the enemy's position at Brit.
LONDON, Feb. II.
An account of the death OF Gen. Earl dated
horti says; Gen. Earle was killed in an
action Tuesday. The fight occurred near the
Nile, few miles above Dulka Island. The
Arabs had fortified the pass and had built a
small fort on the left bank of the river.
When Gen. Earl and his forces reached the
pass they were subjected to heavy fire from
the field guns, which the Arabs had placed
IN commanding positions General
Earl had no artillery. and
commanded the troops TO charge. Ii was
more of a scramble than a charge, but the
Arabs were driven from the heights at the
point of the bayonet and fell back slowly
toward the river. All that remained to be
captured was little fort on the river bank
As the British column advanced ii was met
by steady and well directed fire from be-
hind the Arab fort and manv men of the
attacking party were killed.
Gen. Earle again ordered his men TO charge
and placed himself at the head of the column
He was killed during this charge The fort
was ultimately captured but at terrible cost
In addition TO Gen. Earle, 3 officers and men
were killed and 80 wounded.
The cabinet met at IL o'clock this morn
ing and is still in session.
Gen. Wolseley telegraphs to the govern-
ment that the scouts who were sent to Khar
toum have returned. They confirm the re-
port of the killing of Gen. Gordon and the
atrocities committed in Khartoum by the
Mahdi's men.
Military experts declare that Gen Wolse-
ley has the cream of the army with him, and
that it is impossible TO place 5000 men fit for
active service in the field. Severe criticism
is made upon Gen. Wolseley's management
of military affairs, and charges are made
openly of all sorts of abuses in various de-
partments.
ROME, Feb. H.
Negotiations between the British and Ital-
ian governments, with view to Italian CO.
operation in the Soudan still proceed Cheva-
alier Nigra, Italian ambassador at London
has been instructed to assure Lord Granville
of the confidence that Italy has in the power
of England to crush rebellion in the Soudan
and TO recognize Egypt, and to state that
Italy is willing to occupy with her troops
strategic posts so as TO enable England to
mass her forces against those of the Mahdi.
BERLIN, Feb. II,
Littoral have thoroughly irritated Germany.
The consequence of the new and unexpected
movement by the Italian government has been
the knitting of an eotre cordiale between
France and GERMANY
LONDON, Feb IL.
The war Office refuses to officially confirm
the dispatch which states that Gen. Wolseley
has telegraphed to the government that scouts
sent to khartOum to ascertain the fate of
General Gordon, returned with proof of his
death
The Standard only refuses to believe that
Gen Gordon is dead and clings to the last
shadow OF hope that he NAV be prisoner or
NAV even have escaped u the south
Gen. Gordon, before his departure on his
mission to London, told a personal friend
who now makes the story public, that he en-
tertained a presentment that he would never
return from KhaTtoum and in pursuance OF
his belief in the presentment which covered
him with its shadow before he started. Gen
Gordon actually bestowed on his chosen
friends all his triukets and mementoes.
The government has decided to accept the
temporary services of limited number of
officers of the militia and rescue forces.
1t is announced that the project of con-
structing narrow guage railway between
Suakim and Berber, will be adopted by the
war office. An English firm of contractors
offer to undertake and complete the con-
struction of the road within a fortnight, by
the use of manufactured sections of rail
lengths
The following official announcements were
made today; Lord Roseberry has been ap-
pointed Lord Privy Seal and also first com
mander of public works.
Both Lord Rosebery and mr Shaw Lefe-
vre, Postmaster General, will occupy seats in
the cabinet.
Gen. Graham has been appointed to com
mand the Suakim-Berbe expedition.
Gen. Freemantle will command the Guards
and Gen. Greaves act as Chief Staff
The contingent from India to take part in
the Suakim- -Berber expedition has been raised
to 5000 men. Gen. Hudson will command
the contingent, which is expected to arrive at
Suakim several days before the Guards reach
there.
The cabinet, TO-DAY, approved Gen. VOLS
eley's plan for the early advance from Sua-
kim to Berber. 1t is calculated that the ad-
vance will begin about the Sd week in March
and it is hoped that berber will be reached in
six weeks. There is still slight ground for
hoping that Gen Gordon is still alive Nc
eve witness Of his death is mentioned The
Australian Vice Consul and 90 Greeks dc
not believe the story of the massacre at khar
toum. II is known that the Mahdi holds 5(
Greeks as prisoners, either in his camp or a
Ell Obeid. and that they are well treated.