Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-10
THE SOUDAN WAR.
TIE xAHDI IND HIS PLANS.


A London special Of Sunday says !:
Sheik Djcmal-ed-Din, the weIl-known
Mohammedan agent, now in Paris, has
submitted to an interview on the Sou
dspese rebellion. He thinks that Gen
eral Gordon Is still alive, butifdcad, that
he fell while fighting the rebels. The
Mahdi, he says, would respect General
Gordon as prisoner, and might be will
ing to open negotiations to exchange
General Gordon for Arab Pacha, whom
the Mahdi honors as q true servant in
the cause of Mohammed. The Mahdi
might make partial peace with the Eng
lish, but never permanent peace. He
would refuse to accept the title Of Vice
roy or any other title from the Khedive
or from the Sultan, but would remain
the Mahdi. He aims at the conquest of
the Soudan, and hopes that a rising
will take place in Arabia against the
Turks.
The War Office maintains the utmost
reticence with regard to the plans and
movements Of General Wolseley. Cairo
kilograms received to-day report that
council Of war has been held at which
General Stephenson was present. He
advised a retreat of the troops from
Metemneh on Korti and the concentra-
ton of the entire force towards Berber,
and after the capture Of Berber await
the expedition coming to Suakim before
making an advance on khartoum. Mill
tary authorities estimate that this plan
involves delay in the advance upon
Khartoum until autumn. The hot wea-
ther, which begins next month, will
make it impossible for the English
forces to endure the marches.
News from Gubat dated the Sd in
slant ia to the effect that the rebels are
actively employed in preparing for an
other active encounter. Loopholes are
being made in the outside of the houses
at Metemneh, and the enemy's videttes
maintain an active lookout, fearing
British attack on the town. A recent
convoy from Gakdul, when three miles
distant from that point, met 1000 rebel
cavalry and infantry. The rebels were
shelled and soon dispersed. The con-
WOW was unhurt. The light camel
corps has arrived at Gubat.
Fl Mahdi is drawing immense guam
titles Of supplies from the Merawi dis
trict.
General Newdigate is mentioned as
likely to be placed in command Of the
Soudan expedition now being organ
lied.
The Turkish Government has sent to
each of the Powers which signed the
treaty of Berlin aformal protest against
the occupation by Italy of Egyptian
territory on the Red Sea coast. Turkey
also demands that the Italian troops
already sent to Assab and Massowah
shall be withdrawn.
In an interview between Earl Gran
vile and Fehmi Pacha, the Turkish en-
voy. the former told the latter catcgori-
cally that the English Government in
tended. for political and financial rea-
sons, to evacuate Egypt, but that it was
impossible to specify an exact period
for the withdrawal. The British Gov
eminent, he said, being a constitutional
Government and dependent on public
opinion. which compelled the Cabinet
to send the expedition to the Soudan,
would not permit the evacuation
of Egypt without some reward for Eng
lands sacrifices. He added that the
proposed Turkish expedition to Suakim
was inOpportune, and assured Fchmi
Pacha that the Sultan's sovereignty
over Egypt would be respected. Earl
Granville counselled the Porte not to
raise a question with Italy in cOnnec-
ton with the annexation of Beilul. He
held that Italy's commercial interests
in Assab compelled her TO extend her
authority over the adjacent district.
A Rome special says: Admiral
Cainu telegraphs that he anchored off
Massowah on the 5th instant, with the
corvettes Amerigo Vespucci and Carl
baldi. A force Of marines was disem-
barked and the Italian flag was hoisted
alongside that of Egypt. The natives
welcomed the Italians, but the Egyptian
authorities formally protested against
their occupation Of the town.
England has not asked that the Italian
Government should cooperate with her
in the Soudan. Frequent conferences
have been held between Sir Savile Lum-
ley, the British Ambassador, and Sig
nor Mancini, Minister of Foreign AZ
fairs, but nothing definite has been
agreed upon. Signor Magliani, Minis
ter Of Finance, opposes the expedition
upon the ground that the Treasury is
already overburdened, but majority
Of the members of Parliament support
it, and urge that it be carried forward
upon grand scale.
The FdnfuHa, the ministerial organ,
says: 1--WE will not wait for England
to ask our help, but will give it with
out bargaining. We do not wish the
hesitation on our part to appear as
speculation. 1t is said that the Italians
are Machiavelian; this is a noble way
of being So
The DWeftO. in an article headed the
" Advance of Italy, says: Italy
cannot permit England to be defeated.
1t is Italy's duty to assist and extricate
the English Cabinet from its present
difficulty. The Italian forces, ifprompt-
ly employed, will be able to open the
Suakim and Berber route and to secure
General Wolseley's line of communica-
ton. Public opinion will applaud
ltaly's prompt, energetic, and resolute
support. England has always been
ltaly's friend"
The ReJorma (MinisteriaD says:
" England Is q friend who has rem
dered us great services and never asked
US for a man or a penny. IL is our
duty and TO our interest to unite with
her."
The Ressegna says no troops will be
sent to the Soudan by Italy unless un-
der formal treaty providing for an
offensive and defensive alliance and
guaranteeing Italy English aid in the
event Of war with any maritime power.
by Associated Press.l
RElNFORCEMENTs BEING RAPIDLY
SENT To egypt