The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-02-10
ANXIOUSLY WAITING.
Gen. Gordon's Fate Still Matter
of Conjecture.
The British Cabinet Considers Ell NAH
dis Defeat a Necessity.
The Force of Col. Stewards Muir
derer Routed and Many of
Them Killed.
Reinforeements for Egyps.

Chatham, Woolwich and Aldershot, and prep
srations for sending reinforcements to Egypt
are being rapidly pushed. The Twentieth
Hussars and Third Battalion of the rife bril-
gade now at Aldershot, battalion Of the
Scott's Fusileers, a battalion of the Gold Stream
Guards and squadron Of the Fifth Lancers,
have been ordered to proceed at once to Sua-
kim.
Three thousand reinforcements, at the ur-
gent demand OF Wolseley, have been ordered
to proceed as rapidly as possible to Egypt to
open the route between Suakim and Berber
A naval demonstration in the Red Sea to CO.
operate with the land forces has been arranged
Nine battalions OF troops have been ordered
from England, Malta, Gibraltar and India to
Egypt
The total reinforcements already ordered to
Egypt is 5000.
Defeat of El Kaahdi Necessary
LONDON, Feb. 9.-The Pail Mall Gazstte
this afternoon states that the Cabinet have de-
cidsd that the defeat Of El Mahdi is necessary
to vindicate England, but no Immediate ad-
will be attempted unless it is found that there
is good reason for believing that Gen. Gordon
is still holding out with handful of followers
In the Mission House in Khartoum, where it
was reported he had taken refuge when the
city fell into the Mahdi's hands. In the ab-
sence of this, Lord Wolseley, 1T is said, will
probably continue to advance by the river un-
til he reaches Berber, where he will spend the
hot weather OF the summer with his army and
wait for the September rise of the Nile before
advancing. Two months must, according to
this plan, elapse before there can be any ad-
vance in force from Suakim.
Relief that Gen. Gordon and Col. Wilson
are Safe.
LONDON, Feb. 9.-It is understood that the
government has received word that Col. Sir
Charles Wilson, who led Gen. Stewarts army
to Gubat after the Zueba fight on Jan. 10Th
and uvh nff fol y, L.c.k
stranded with his entire party on an island in
the Nile, and there surrounded by hostile
Arabs, is safe. The opinion prevails at the
War Office that Gen. Gordon is still alive and
engaged in defending himself in some mac
cessible part of the city, where he had prepar
ed refuge for use in the emergency of the
fall Of the city.
Csnadian Volunteers for Egypt.
OTTAWA, Ont, Feb. 9-It is reported that
Col. Williams proposition to raise regiment
OF Canadian volunteers for the imperial ser
vice has been accepted, and he will proceed to
enlist the men at once. The regiment will be
500 strong, and will do garrison duty in Eng
land.
Hostile Arabs Repulsed by Gen. Earle
Army.
.KoRTI, Feb. 9.-News from Gen. Eare's ar :
my Feb. 7th, shows that on the Thursday pre-
ceding, the camel corps had q skirmish inland
with some hostile Arabs, who were driven
from the wells, where the engagement occur
red with a loss of 60 killed and taken prison
ers.
Col. Stewarfs Murder Avenged.
The advance guard of Gen. Earle's column
surprised large body Of the Monassir tribe
under Wad Gam, the murderer OF Col. Stewart
encamped at Shakoob Wells. The cavalry
charged the encampment, and the enemy fed
in every direction, leaving behind 30 men
killed and large number of camels and cattle
and many Remington rifles; also six prisoners.
Nc HALFWAY MEAsBREssos1n
What she Khedive Says England Must no
in Egypt-Kffect of she Fall Of Khar-
teHm-The makdi's Power at Hts Zenith.
LONDON, Feb. ga despatch from Cairo
TO the Central News gives an account of an in
terview by one Of its correspondents with
the Khsdive today in relation to the outlook in
Egypt, and with view to obtaining hiH ideas
in regard to the effect the capture of Khar-
toum will have on the followers of Islam
throughout Egypt
The Khedive stated that he did not fear any
disastrous results fromsthe fall OF Khsrtoum.
zenith and he failed to see any room for a
further augmentation. He STAYED, however,
that it could not be denied that the situation
was grave, not to say desperate.
"The only way out of the present dilemma"
said he, sis for England to act at once, laying
aside all halfway measures, and despatch i'm
mediately sufficient force TO meet and crush
the Mahdi beyond retrieval."
he pooh -poohed the idea of England with
drawing her forces, adding that the abandon
ment of the Soudan now would be fatal mis-
take, and would result in leaving Ia blot on the
name and honor of England that could never
be erased.
"The abandonment of the country to the
fanatical hordes who have focked to the stand
ard of the Mahdi," said he, "means the sur
render of the country to murder, pillage, out
lawry and constant internal dssensions and
strife'
Don't you think that the fall of Khartoum
will result in many OF the now friendly tribes
joining the cause of the Mahdi?"
"Well, t" he replied, ri do not expect any
immediate or Wholesale stampede; but any
wavering on the part Of England at this time
will doubtless precpitate rush of thsee tribes
to the Mahdi's ranks
What is your opinion as to Gen. Gordon's
fate?"
II firmly believe that he is alive and well.
The Mahdi has no interest in killing him.
On the contrary, he knows that it would event
nally be to his interest to capture General Cor
don alive, and l am convinced that he has
used all means at his command to secure the
gallant general as hostage"