, 1885-02-20
NEWS FROM THE NILE.
The English Army Evidently
On the Retreat.
Gladstone Condemned, But Ex-
plains His Policy.
A sostly War and a Vote of
Censure.
zinc campalgn on the MIC,

LONDON, Feb, l9.-It is probable
that Gen. Wolseley may evacuatc Korti
and return to Debbeh, where the desert
routes from Omdurman, Elobeid and
Darfour converge on the Nile. Wolseley
will there await help from England. At
Korti, he can be surrounded. In the re-
tirement. al the available supplies will be
swept up, and the whole army, entrenched
at Debbeh, could hold its own If neces-
sary, until the rising Of the Nile occurs.
Dongola. Harmek and various other
points on the river between Debbeh and
Halfa are held by a weak detachment Of
the British troops. The moral effect Of
this retirement will be serious, though it
will be to a certain extent neutralized by
the action, in unmistakahle strength from
Suakim Wilson will probably return to
Cairo to consult with Gen. Stephenson
and Others in regard to the present situa-
ton Of affairs.
Gen. Buffers retreat from Gubat is
considered at the war Office to have been
inevitable and a most fortunate escape.
Gen. Butler will reach Gakdul wells to-
day. and will return with his entire force
to Korti. Ministerial speeches in parlia-
ment yesterday conceal the true situation
in Soudan. Lord Wolseley has applied
for reinforcements on the Nile, and it is
reported he wants 1000 English troops to
try and march from Korosko across the
desert upon Abu Hamed, where Gen.
Brackenbury has been ordered to remain
until a simultaneous advance with Gen.
Graham's forces from Suakim can be
made upon Berber. Should the Mahdi
threaten Dongola, Lord Wolseley viii re-
tire to Debbeh. It is feared the appear
ance of the Mahdi near Dongola would
lead to a general rising in his favor in
Nubia and Upper Egypt. Egyptian
troops are escheloned be-
tween Assowan and Wadyhalfa.
The disaffected tribes are ready
at any m to declare for the Mahdi.
Egyptian consols yesterday touched 9ss,
the lowest price since 1873. Sir Stafford
NoTthcote's motion for a vote Of censure
against the government is skillfully word
ed, and meets with the appropriation ola
section of the Liberals. A number Of the
governments supporters will be absent
upon the occasion of the division in this
motion. The fate Of the ministry de-
ponds upon the decision of the Irish
party which side they win support, oil
whether they will abstain from voting.
LONDON, Feb. l9.-Gen. Bnckenbury,
commanding troops under the late Gen.
Earle, has telegraphed from Ussie islands,
The cavalry corps entered Salmat on the
18th inst, finding il deserted. The
cavalry was then about five miles in the
advance of the infantry, The horses and
camels had got safely through Shukook
pass, which had been prepared for de-
Tense, but was also abandoned by the
enemy. Gen. Brackenbury hopes t.
reach Abu Hamed by the 18th inst, but
doubts if he can concentrate there before
the 10Th. owing to the necessity of cross
ing the mounted troops to the other side
Of the river. An estimate Of the time
necessary to do this, Gen. BrackenburJ
says, must be very uncertain because Of
the difficulties presented by the Nile Al
its present stage.