The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-02-11
Cabinet Meeting Held-The British Force
In Egypt to Be Reinforced from India,
the Mediterranean and England.

the mediterranean q and England
LONDON, Feb. General Wolseley tele-
graphs from Korti to the war office this after
neon that courier had arrived from the
British camp near Metemueh, who reports
that the rebels at Metemneh have become
defiant since hearing Of the fall of Khsr-
toum. The courier also says an attack on
Gubat may be looked tor at any moment as
the rebels expect reiniorcementsf from Khsr-
toum. Lord Wolseley states that he will re.
main quiet pending further orders from the
government.
ing to consider what course is to be taken in
regard to the present Egyptian emergency.
1t Was decided to send telegraphic orders 10
India for a dispatch of Indian troops to
Suakim, and meanwhile reinforce the garri-
son at Suskim by drafts OF troops from Eng.
land and the Mediterranean.
The consensus of opinion in the Cabnst is
in favor Of strong, active and vigorous p9l-
icy. The Ministry will sanction any demand
OF Lord Wolseley which will aid in the de-
feat OF the Mahdi and will secure the release
of General Gordon, If alive, or wreak ven-
gesnce upon Arabs IL slain.
The telegraph line between London and
Karti is entirely occupied with dispatches
between the Cabinet and Lord Wolseley.
Astonishment has been caused by the
report that the Cabinet at its session to-day
considered a dispatch received from Lord
Wolseley asking instructions. In this dis
patch Wolseley informs the Government
that he will be unable to reach Khartoum
in less time than five weeks, when the hot
season will be commenced. He assures the
Ministry that he feels confident of his ability
to successfully attack Khartoum and defeat
the False Prophet, but he says the operations
necessary to achieve these results will now
be difficult and hazardous.
Later Details-GOrdOn's Fate Still Un-
certain.
LONDON, Feb. 6.-General Wolseley's re-
ply to the dispatch of the Government, CIV
ing him carte blanche to operate 10 the
Soudsn, is expected by noon tomorrow.
Colonel Wortley was in charge OF only one
of Colonel Wilson's three steamers, which
succeeded in reaching Gubat from Khar.
tOum 1.-TWO others having been wrecked)
furnishes detailed report of the move
ments of the expedition. This shows that
the three steamers have in the
command of Colonel Wilson, and reached
Khsrtoum January %. following the course
of the White Nile. On reaching Khartoum
| it was fonnd to be utterly impossible to
| land troops Then followed description of
the firing by the rebels and the return of
the steamers as given in yesterdays Associ-
sted Press reports.
Continuing, Colonel Wortley says: "The
/ Government honse, OF Khartoum, appeared
| to be wrecked. One man was killed and i've
wounded during the attack on the steamers.
Colonel Wilson's steamer was wrecked four
miles above the enemy's position, be-
low the bottom of Shubalaks Cataract. The
second steamer was wrecked January
| %. We reached Gubat in small boats the
same day. That Khartoum fell January 26
is certain. General Gordon's fate is still in
I ~ - h
conflicting. The general opinion, however,
was that he was killed. Some say he is with
the Greeks in their church at Khartoum.
| The fall of Khsrtoum has decided the
Shukriyeh tribes to join Ell Mahdi, which
places both banks of the Nile under
| the control of the enemy. The
natives greatly fear the English, aud
the advance of General Earle's column
| is awaited with anxiety by them. The
natives say Ell Mahdi is hard pressed for
supplies. and that he had great difficulty In
persuading the Emirs to attack us. mes
sepger from FL Mshdi reached Colonel
Wilson January %. he SAID General Cor.
don had adopted Ell Mahdis uniform. The
courier brought the following message from
FL Mahdi: II call upon you to surrender.
shall not write agsin. If you do not be-
come Mohammedans L will wipe you off the
face of the earth" The statement is con-
| tirmed that FursZ Pssha trescherously made
terms with Ell Mahdi, whereby the latter
was enabled to capture Khartoum.
General Wolseley sends the following dis
patch: "Talbots convoy reached Guoat
safely. The enemy at Metemneh is entirely
inactive since January %. The rebel force
| there is estimated at between 2, 900 aud :, 1000,
OF whom $50 are horsemen and 500 have
rifles. Our men are in good health. The
wounded are doing WE'LL The Kabbsbish
tribes are still carrying messages and SUP
plies for Us 10 Gakdul Wells A messenger
has been sent to ascertain the fate of Gen.
| eral Gordon"
The announcement is confirmed that the
Cabinet Council TO- day has decided to give
General Wolseley complete direction as to
| the course to pursue in the Soudan. He has
been instructed to take all measures neces.
ssry to the successful operation OF the cam
psign. The Government will give him any
assistance he may need by dlspatching 6
troops from Suakim to Berber.
General Wolseley will make every effort
| possible TO save Gordon il alive. The wild
est rumors are sfloat in London to night rel.
alive to affairs in the Soudan. 1t is said by
some that General Gordon was shot during
the attack on Khartoum. The latest au-
thentic news from there Is that contained
in Colonel Wortley report The Government
| continues to monopoliZe the wires, and even
Private messages either way are refused
transmission. The decision OF the Cabinet
in gieing Wolseley carte blanche has caused
/
people are gathered in the streets eagerly
reading the latest issues OF the evening pa
pers.
Lord Wolseley Given CARTE Blanche
LONDON, Feb. 6 1T is understood the Cab
met council to-day decided to give Lord
Wolseley carte blan che to take any meas.
ures he deems necessary for the rescue OF
| General Gordon, if alive, and to make uee
! of such military measures as he deems ad-
visable to regain the ground lost in the Sou
| dan by the fall of Kharto1m. Among the
alternatives suggested to General Wolseley
are the immediate recapture of Khartoum
and the employment, il necessary, Of Indian
troops to reopen the Berber route.
A Clergymsn's Strange Story.
LONDON, Feb. 6.-Araba seems to have
had something to do with bringing about
Gordon's downfall, if the story told to-day
by o prominent clergyman is to be credited.
This clergyman publishes letter in the
afternoon edition Of the London Globe
about meeting in this city last November an
Egyptian who had been Project of Police
under Arabia. The Project and preacher
became we'll acquainted. On Christmas last
1 ~ nfrer no