The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-16
But the Preponderance of Testimony Goes to
Show that the Mahdi Holds the City
and that Gordan Is Dead.
0sman Digna Massing His Troops and
Preparing for Stubborn Resistance.
A Railway To Be Immediately Constructed
from Suakim to Berber-Eflect of the
War on English Politics.
THE WAR IN THE souDAN.

Contradictory Statements About Gordon
Increasing Boldness of Osman Disna.
LONDON, Feb. 15.--The Press Association
states, under reserve, that late Saturday
night, the War Office sent telegram to Miss
Gordon, at Southampton. to the effect that Khar-
toum had not fallen and that General Gordon
was safe.
General Graham and staff will leave on Satur-
day next for Cairo. going by way of Brindisi.
On his arrival at Cairo he will meet in council
General Stephenson, General Dolmer and other
officers, and will then go to Suakim The ex-
pectation at the War Office is that the forces to
start from Suakim will reach Berber, if the
march proves successful by April 25.
The government has given the contract for
constructing a railway from Suakim to Berber. to
Lucas, Aird & Co. The contractors will provide
all materials, which the government undertakes
to transport to Egypt Work will begin imme-
diately.
A Atelegram was received at the War Office to-day
from General Wolseley He sends an account of
the fall of Khartoum, as given by native who
was an eyewitness to the entrance of the rebels
into the town. Khartoum, this informant says,
was entered by Ell Mahdi's forces at day break on
January &c General Gordon was killed by a
volley from rifemen, while on his way from his
headquarters to the Austrian consulate. The
Austrian consul was killed in his residence, and
the Greek consul is held prisoner by the
Mahdi.
| A Korti telegram says '"The Mudr is now
convinced that Khartoum has fallen and that
General Gordon is dead. Ibrahim Bey Ruchdi
states that Forag admitted the rebels to Khar
toum. Ruchdi went to the government house and
met Gordon coming out armed, with Mahomed
Bey, Mustapha and twenty followers. While
proceeding to the Austrian consulate they met a
party of rebels, who fred volley. Gordon and
Mahomed Mustapha fell dead"
General Wolseley leaves, tomorrow for Oak
dull
At the request Of General Wolseley, Hassan
Bey, brother of the Khedive, has assumed COM
mand of the Egyptian troops in the Soudan, with
the title of governor general. Hassan Bey want
! ed his acceptance made conditional upon recruit
ing 1000 Turkish soldiers, but finally agreed to
accept the command of the Egyptians. This
plan is expected to have good effect upon the
Soudanese as showing that England does not de-
sire the conquest of Egypt for herself
Osman Digna's boldness increases daily, as
does also the strength of his army, and it is be-
lieved that he intends making supreme effort
to capture Suakim before the arrival of rein
forcements for the British garrison at that point
In any event he has $1,000 warriors, far better
equipped than when he was routed by General
Graham at Tamanieb, and it is expected that he
will vigorously oppose the British expedition
now being utted out to open the route between
Suakim and Berber The news that Ell
Mahdi has sent reinforcements to the
Arab force besieging Kassala has raised
popular cry that British force be sent at once
to relieve Kassala. In support of this demand
made upon the government, the bravery of the
garrison at Kassala, in gallantly defending the
place for nearly year, against large Odds is
pointed out as a sufficient reason alone for the
sending of British expedition to rescue them,
before they meet the same fate that befeli other
garrisons who remained loyal to England, and
were then compelled by starvation to surrender
to the Mahdi It is suggested in quarters
that the Italian troops at Massowah be request.
ed to relieve the garrison at Kassaa, as they
would meet with but little difficulty in adyanc-
ing on Kassala from Massowah.
New batteries are being erected for protec-
ton of the railway. There is great activity in
Osman Digna's camp Women are being armed
and drilled, and every possible preparation is
making for obstinate resistance to the British
advance.
Opposition to the War.