The Mineral argus., 1885-02-19
BRITISH REVERSE IN AFRICA.
Khartoum Falls into the Hands Of Fl Nahdl
Through the Agency Of FOulest
Treachery.

NICUC0cbJ.
LONDON Feb 6.-Intelligence has been re-
ceived here that KhartOum has been cap
tured by the Arabian rcbelA Tho where
abouts of Gen. Gordon Ia unknown. He Is
probably q prisoner in the hands Of the VIC
tors The war Ofiice issues the following:
sTelegrams from Gen. wolseley announce
that the fall of Khartoum took place JAN
26 He says Col Wilson arrived at Khar-
toum on Jan. %, and was greatly surprised
10 find that the enemy was in possession of
that place. He Immediately started on his
return down the river, and proceeded under
. heavy fire from the rebela When some
miles below the Shublaka cataract Col Will
sons stermers were wrecked, but he and his
party managed to reach an island in safety,
where they are secure. A steamer has gone
to bring them back to the British camp near
Metemneh". Gen. Wo.scley says he has NO
information regarding the fate Of Gen. Cor
don, and does not know whether be Ia dead
or alive. There il no longer any doubt that
FL Mahdi holds Possession Of Khartoum.
Rome 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 news il known il
RISING TO fEvEk BEAT.
Most of the people take a gloomy view Of
the position of the British troops in Soudan.
The jubilant gladness which has chai acter-
ICED 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 forebodings. and
universal depression and expressions Of dis
may and foreboding come from almost every
body The war office is besicgcd with an
duty in Soudan. Numerous kilograms are
being received from officers throughout the
country asking assignments To rescue the
expedition should the government conclude
to take such action The capture of Khar
toum has created grave fears especially in
army circles for the safety Of Gen. Stewart
and his army number of military officers
of repute even express the opinion that I'M
less reinforcements are hurried forward to
korti the fall OF Khartoum may lead Ia dis
asters To the forces under Lord Wolselcy and
Gen. Earl A cabinet council has been sum
inoned to meet at once Gladstone is fear
fully disturbed by the news, and some people
believe he will resign.
STRATEGY OF TIE FALSE PROPHET
Anative reports that III Mahdi had 80, 900
men in the vicinity OF khartoum. and he in
troduced "a number of his em;s-aries into the
Guy h'Ft ittiN Win
the native troops under Ger. Gordon. and by
bribcs threats and working on their religious
feelings, induced them to inutiny. Seven
thousand of the garrison deserted To the
rebels, leaving Carbon with only .. 800
faithful troops. With This small force he at
tempted to hold the city against the Mahdi's
great army. but after severe fighting. in
which a large number of rebels wcr. killed.
he was compelled tn surrender When Sir
Charles Wilson reached khartoum he found
that the Mahdi's forces had occupied both
the town and citadel lie 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 to
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
ms 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 depleted the garrison and
citadel of khartoum that an attack from
Omdurman was rendered much easier. Tia
greatest activity prevails at the war depart
ment, and manv 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 orders
were issued before the news Of the fall Of
khartoum was received