Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-02-12
BRITISH REEERSE IN AFRICA.
Khartoum Falls into the Hands OF III Mahdi
Through the Agency OF Foulest
Treachery.

IoNpoN, Feb 6.-Intelligence has been 70
ceived here that Khartoum has been cap
tured by the Arabian rebels The where
abouts OF Gen. Gordon is unknown. He Is
nrobably a prisoner in the hands OF the VIC
tors The war Office issues the following;
sTeleprams from Gen woiseley announce
that the fall of Khartoum took place jan
26. He says Col Wilson arrived nc htar.
toum on Jan. %, and was greatly surprised
TO find that the enemy was In possession Oh
that place. He Immediately started on ms
return down the river, and proceeded nnde
a heavy FIRE from the rebels When some
miles below the Shublaka cataract Col VIII
sop's stermers were wrecked, but he n his
marty managed to reach an island in safety,
where they are secrre A steamer has gone
to bring them back TO the British camp near
Metemnehs. Gen. Wolseley say he has no
information regarding the fate Of Gen. Cor
don, and does not know whether he is dead
or alive. There is no longer any doubt that
Ell Mahdi holds possession OF hhartoum,
Some hopes are entertained that Gen. Cor
don may still be holding out in the citadel
of the town Meanwhile the excitement in
London and everywhere throughout the
British isles where the ne US is known is
RISING TO FEVER HEAT.
Most of the people take a gloomy view OF
the position OF the British troops In Soudan.
The iubilant gladness which has character
lied England in regard to Egypt ever since
the news OF Stewards successful arrival in
the neighborhood of Metemneh was received
has given way TO anxious f~orebodings, ana
universal depression and expressions OF DIS
may and f~oreboding come from almost every
body. The war office is besieged with an
army of officers rendering services for active
duty in Soudan. Numerous kilograms are
being received from officers throughout the
country asking assignments 10 rescue the
expedition should the government conclude
to AXE such action. The capture Of khar~
toum has created grave fears, especially in
army circles, for the safety OF Gen. Stewart
and his army. A number of military officers
of repute ever express the opinion that un-
less reinforcements are hurried forward to
Korti the fall of Khartoum may lead TO dis
asters to the forces under Lord Wolseley and
Gen. Earl. A cabinet council has been sum
moned to meet at once. Gladstone is fear
fully disturbed by the news, and some people
believe he viii resign.
STRATEGY OF THE FALSE PROPHET.
Anatiye reports that Ell Mahdi had 60, 600
men in the vicinity Of Khartoum, and he in
troduced a number Of his emissaries into the
city. These emissaries mingled freely with
the native troops under Gen. Gordon, and by
brides, threats and working on their religious
feelings, induced them to mutiny. Seven
thousand of the garrison deserted 10 the
rebels, leaving Gordon with only 2,5OO
faithful troops With this small force he at
tempted TO hold the city against the Mahdrs
great army, but after severe lighting, In
which q large number of rebels were killed,
ne was compelled to surrender When Sir
Charles Wilson reached Khartoum be found
that the Mahdi's forces had occupied both
the town and citadel. He tried to land and
ascertain the fate of Gen. Gordon, but this
step he found impossible. The enemy's
guns were turned upon him in full force,
and he was therefore compelled 10
turn his back upon the fallen
city and return to Gubat without
finding out whether Gordon was dead or
alive. The news of the downfall Of Khar-
toum has created a grave apprehension in
regard to the whole Egyptian programme
among the members of the cabinet. Glad
stone and Earl Granville started for London
as soon as the news reached them. Military
authorities are of the opinion that Gen.
Gordon had sent the greater part of his
forces down the Nile to meet Gen, Stewards
forces, and so depleted the garrison and
citadel of Khartoum that an attack from
omdurman was rendered much easier. Ths
greatest activity prevails at the war depart
ment, and many officials remained on duty
all last night Lord Wolseley telegraphs that
he does not consider the British position at
Gubat in any immediate danger The gov
eminent has given orders for further ship
ments of stores to Egypt These orderi
were issued before the news of the fall Of
Khartoum was received