The Portland daily press., 1885-02-06

curious and excited citizens. Most people
took gloomy view of the position of the
British troops in Soudan. The jubilant glad
ness which has characterized England in re-
gard to Egypt ever since the welcome news of
Gen. Stewards successful arrival in the neigh
borhood of Metemneh was received, has given
way to universal depression, and expressions
of dismay and foreboding come from almost
everybody. The war Office was besieged with
army officers rendering their services for active
duty in Soudan. Numerous kilograms
were recaived from officers throughout the
country asking for assignments to the rescue
expedition, should the government conclude
to take such action.
The capture has created grave fears especial
ly in army circles for the safety of General
Stewart and his army. A number of military
officers of reputs express the opinion that un-
less reinforcements are hurried forward to
Korti, the fall of Khartoum may lead to
disaster to the forces under Lord Wolseley aud
General Earle.
SECOND DESPATCH.
LONDON, Feb. 5.-The war office has issued
the following:
the fall of Khartoum took place on Jan. 26th. He
says Col. Wilson arrived at Khartoum on January
2Sth and was greatly surprised to find that the
enemy in possession of that place. He i'm
mediately started on his return down the river and
proceeded under a heavy fire from the rebels.
When some miles below Shublaka cataract, Col.
Wilson's steamers were wrecked, but he ard his
whole party managed to reach an island in safety
where they are secure. a. steamer has gone to
teh. Gen. Wolseley says that he had no inform
alton regarding the fate of Gen. Gordon and does
not know whether he is dead or alive.
THIRD DEsPATcH.l
LONDON, Feb. 5.-Regarding the fail of
Khartoum native reports that the Mahdi
had 10000 men in the vicinity of Khartodm
and that he introduced number of his ennis
saries into the city. These emissaries mingled
freely with the native troops under General
Gordon, and, by bribes, threats and working
on their religious feelings, induced them to
mptiny. Seven thousand OF the garrison de-
serted TO the rebels leaving Gen. Gordon only
2509 faithful soldiers With this small force
he attempted 10 hold the city against the
Mahdi's great army, but after severe fighting,
in which large number OF the rebels were
killed, he was compelled to surrender. When
Sir Charles Wilson reached Khartoum he
found that the Mahdi's forces occupied both
the town and the citadel. He tried to land
and ascertain the fate OF Gen. Gordon, but
this stop he found impossible. The enemy's
guns were turned upon him in full force. He
was therefore compelled TO turn his back upon
the fallen city and return to Gubat without
finding out whether Gen. Gordon was dead or
alive.
The news of the downfall of Khartoum has
created grave apprehensons In England in re-
gard to the whols Egyptian problem among
the members OF the English cabinet. Mr.. Glad
stone and Earl Granville started for London
as soon as the news reached them. A cabinet
council will DO held this evening. The mill
tary authorities are of the opinion that Gea.
Gordon sent the greater part of his troops
down the Nile to meet Gen. Stewart's force
and so depleted the garrison in the town and
citadel OF Khartoum that an attack by the
enemy from Omdurman was rendered much
easier. The greatest activity prevails at the
war department. Many of the officials re-
mained on duty last night.
Lord Wolseley telegraphs that he does not
consider the British position at Gubat in any
immediate danger.
FOURTH DESPATCH.
LONDON, Feb. 5.-The first news of the fall
of Khartoum received by Gen. Wolseley was
brought By messenger, who lett the island
where Col Wilson was stranded. and came on
foot to Gubst Two messengers were then des-
patchsd to Korti. via Abu Klea and Gakdul.
They reached their destination in safety, ow-
ing to the fact that the news OF Khartoum's
fall had not reached the desert Intelligence
of the disaster, however. has since spread far
and wide, and some of the tribes that have
hitherto pgoiessed friendship for England have
declared for the Mshdi. The Arabs still hold
Metemneh. The garrison there received the
news of the fall of Khartoum with repeated
salvos of artillery.
When Col. Wilson'S fotilla approached
Khartoum. it was compelled to run the gaunt-
let Of heavy FIRE from both banks Tho
at Halfujeh, to lombard the steamers. When
the British force reached Omdurman, numbers
of the rebels continued the fusilade.
Things looked worse when it was discovered
that the enemy was in possession of the island
OF Tatti, just outside the city. The English,
however, still pushed ahead but were dismay-
ed to find that the garrison commenced firing
upon them. No flags were flying from the
public buiidicgs, and the town appeared to be
10 undispGtea possession OF the enemy. The
palace seemed 10 have been gutted.
Finding it impossible to land in the face Of
overwhelming numbers the British retired.
R1mors concerning the fate Of Gen. Gordon
are many and varied, but all agree that the
Mahdi captured Khartoum by treachery. The
most reliable reports point to one Faraz Pasha
as the traitor. 1t is said that he being left in
charge of the ramparts opened the gates Jan.
26th and admitted the enemy. Some rumors
state that the Ma.di, together with q few Le-
vantines. is cooped up in a church; others say
that Gen. Gordon has been seen wearing the
Mahdi's uniform. The majority agree how
ever that Gen. Gordon has been killed.
CAIRO, Feb. 5.-The first news of the fall of
Khartoum recsived here was from London.
The official dispatches have not been publish
ed. Tidings of the capture have created the
utmost CONSERVATION among the inhabitants.
LONDON, Feb. 5.--The excitement over the
fall of Khartoum is increasing. A constant
stream of anxious inquirers, including Sir
VIM. Vernon Harcourt, George Otto Trevelyan
and other ministers, is pouring into the war
Office. A great sensation was caused in the
Irish garrisons at Dublin when the report was
read.
1t is understood that the fall of Khartoum
will not check the advance of Gen. Wolseley,
whose main body will probably march across
the desert at once and besiege Khartoum at
the earliest possible moment
Col. Wilson had three steamers two of
which were wrecked in the Nile exactly half
way between Khartoum and Metemneh. The
third steamer, bearing Col. Wortley, and his
party, came on and brought. the news TO the
British camp near Metemneh.
PARIS, Feb. 5.-The news of the Khartoum
catastrophe has created an immense sensation
in this city.
LONDON, Feb. Sit is stated this evening
that Commander Cameron, the African trav-
eler, has offered to start at once for Soudan to
assist the British in their campaign against
the rebels. Orders have been sent to Ports
mouth Haven to begin Immediately the fitting
of troop ships.
FIFTH DESPATCH.
LONDON, Feb. 5.-A council was held at the
War Office this evening, at which it was de-
cided to advise the government to despatch
$4,000 troops to Suakim Immediately. Gen.
Stephenson telegraphs that 5000 men will be
needed to clear the road to Berbef, as the
news OF the fall Of Khartoum will induce the
central tribes to join Osman Digna. Gen. Ste
2henson also advises that the present strength
of the troops in Upper and Lower Egypt be
! maintained, and that reiniorcements be drawn
from England and india. Gen. Wolseley has
renewed his demand for an expedition to Sua-
kim, to consist OF 5000 men, under Gen.
Gr9aves.
The Cabinet ministers had an informal
meeting tonight, but took no definite action
Nothing will be decided upon till the Cabinet
Council tomorrow. It is reported that Gen.
Wolseley commenced to advance from Korti
today, for the relief OF the troops near Metam-
neh. and that he sent orders to Gen. Earle to