The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-02-12
The Fail of Khartoum

For weeks and even months the news from
the Soudan has been conflicting and of little
real value; but last week came the startling in
tellgence of the fall of khartoum: that the
Mahdi was ia possession, and the fate Of Gen
Gordon unknown The story Of the battle in
brief. as reported by a native. is that he Mahd
had 10000 men in the vicinity of khartGum and
thai he introduced a number of his emi>>aries
int" the city These emissarie> mingled freely
with the native troops under Gen. Gordon. and
by brides. threats and working CD their reg
iou> feelings induced them to mutny. Seven
thousand of the garrison deserted to the rebels
leaving Gen. Gordon only 300 faithful sol
diers. With this small force he attempted to
hold the city against the Mahdi', great army.
but after severe fighting. in which a large num-
Der of the rebels were killed. he was comlelled
to surrender.
The news caused great excitement in London
and Is likely to lead TO political complications
there while on this side of the Atlantic much
interest has been felt in the career Of Gen. Cor
don, who has hitherto seemed to bear a chnriG-
ed life. There are some who while admitting
his bravery. concerning which there can be ~
dispute, consider Gordon crank. and hi, eX-
pedltion foolish Que. Others cen~ure the
English government foI not more promptly
sending troop. to his relief. The English lion.
though slower 20 rouse than at one time is
however. 4 formidable beast when he does get
his mad up, and men and money Will not be
wanting now for complete .uhiCgaton of The
rebels of The Soudan. As to the possible fate
of Gen. Gordon u London despatch SAYS: He
has always averred that be would never be
taken alive. and those who know him best be-
litye that he has been killed. He went to the
>0udan with view of crushing slavery by q
combination Of pluck, diplomacy and coin. His
effort has moi been successful but it is incredible
to his friends that he should ever become
slave"
England Went very unwiingly into this con-
test with the Arabs of the Soudan, but finally did
from motives of humanity and not to fight
for conquest or national ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. After
the massacre of Gen. Hicks army by the rebels
against the Egyptian government, the British
government had to decide whether the Soudan
should be conquered or abandoned, and. in the
latter case. whether the garriSons in the Soudan
should be left to their fate. 1t YVES unwilling
10 leave the garrisons. numbering 10000 SOL
dier.. mostly Egyptians, to be bulchcred by the
Mahdis forces. and Gen. Gordon went to
khartoum ito provide in the best manner for
the safety of the European population of khar
oum. and Of the Egyptian garrisons throughout
the country, as well as for the evacuation of
the Soudan, with the exception of the sea
board" After his arrival at khartoum he was
hemmed by the rebels and the purpose of the
Wolsely expedition was to eNtrirate him. and
to open an avenue of escape for The European,
and Egyptians in that city.
khartoum is the chief city as well as the
capital of the Soudan country. 1t is located on
the peninsula formed by the junction of the
Blue and White Nile. and is 1900 miles from
Cairo. The dockyarts and principal landings
are on thu Blue Nile. The water in the river
is about 400 feet above the level of the sea
There is an extensive quay on the banks OF the
river. where the principal commerce of a coun-
try as large as all India naturally centres. he
chief productions are ivory, hides, SIENNA. gum
Arabic and beeswaX. The climate is severe.
From Jane till October the thermometer ranges
from % degrees to 100 degrees in the shade, and
is about 50 degrees in winter during the day
time.