Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-12-21

trenches.
OPENING FIRE.
SUAKM. December 2j Before dawn
this morning the British man.of-War
Startling and the Egyptian steamer
moved I'd the coast with orders 10 cover
the rebels al fiandout. At daybresk the
forts opened Gre upon the rebel trenches,
and the troops advanced 10 the attack-the
black brigade on the right flank and the cav
airy and mounted infantry covering the
Scottish B0rderers. The Welsh regiment
and the Egyptian brigade occupied the EN-.
bsnkment between The forts, the British in-
fantry being held In reserve. The forts
shelled the trenches, keeping up terrific
FIRE. The enemy held their ground with IN
tense coursge until the black brigade charged
the trenches, which Eel after bali an hours
bard fighting. Tue rebels fought With Ia
nztical bravery. Two Of the enemy's guns
were captured. The naval brigade did splen-
did work. The Scottish Borderers are now
at work eutrenchIng tle rebels position.
The enemy are retreating toward Htsheen
aud Tamar. he British force numbers
1000 men.
EynN's CAPTURE NOT ESTABLISHED.
BERLIN. December 20.-The Berlin Relief
Committee announce that after careful eX-
animation OF Osmln Dign8's etter they have
concluded that the proof o. Emin's capture
has not been established. They will, there
fore, start Lieutenant Wissmann's expedi-
ton for Emir's relief at the earliest possible
moment. Dr. Junker declares that 2mln's
force were armed with Snyder rifles.
10 KEEP Up COMMUNICATIONS.
BRmN, December 20.-The Post says that
Lieutenant Wissmaa will ehdeavor 10 learn
the fate OF Tmln while en- route. In the
80 - Of nfnfa "a
confirmed he viii attempt to gain possession
Of The positions Of the slayetrsders by estat-
fishing stations at intervals from the coast in
land.
THE ENEMT STILL FLYING.
LONDON, December 20.-An official Dis
patch from General Grenicl dated Suekim,
1i:2J 4. NJ, says:. The Cnemy's loss was
400 The HUssars SIRE still pursuing the
Arabs. The trenches are nearly filed, aud
two temporary redoubts are being built.
The Joint forces are entrenched They VIII
bivouac on The field tonight, the naval de-
tschmeAt with the machine-guns remaining
10 toe trenches. Ihavc sent the man .oiwar
starting and the available steamers 10 anchor
of iIandoub, in order 10 prevent the force
from Handoub coming upon Us. During
| the action the Derylshes We're 50 severely
punished that we expect quiet night
Iussars who followed the fleeing Arabs have
returned. They chased the enemy TO point
within four miles Of IIandouh. The enemy
were still flying.
TIE FEATURE OF THE FIGHT.
LONDON, December 20.-A dispatch from
Suakim says the feature Of the fighting was
the determined rush upon the trenches by
the blacks and Egyptians. The Deryishes
fought with utmost bravery, a great many OF
them dying in The trenches. The charge Of
the Hussars Il also specially mentioned.
When The Deryish cavalry saw them coming
| they dismounted from their horses and
planted their spears in the ground, but these
proved no obstruction 10 the Ilussars. who
swept down upon the Deryish horscmen
Ike an avalanche, eat through their ranks,
and lett haf Of them dead on the ground.
The Hussars then reformed and charged
the remaining Deryishes, who tled. A arge'l
portion at the rebel force was not engaged
In to-day's lighting. being absent camping at
Handoub and Wells beyond that place. It's
believed the rebels will be- reinforced and
will make an attempt soon 10 retake their
lost position.
CAPTURED ARABS.
erAKTM December 20.-Osman Digna's
nephew and twelve Dervishes have been cap
ured. All are wounded. Serious COM
plants are made concerning the quality OF
sabres and reyoyers furnished TO the troops.
Several cayalrYmon returned Win broken
sabres, and IN MANY instances their reVolyers
became cogged and were rendered useless.
STANLEY THOUGHT TO BIZ AWAITING EnN's
RETURN.
LoNDoN. December 2O.-At meeting to-
day OF the council OF the English Ea,t Africa
Company, majority OF whom are concerned
In the Emin relief expedition. they came 10
the conclusion that stanley arrived 1t Wade
lai after Emin had started on the march to-
ward Lado 10 encounter the hahdists, and
Stanley is still awaiting Emin's return. Tue
council think that Stanley is the white travel
Ter for whom Oman Sallb says he Is search
ing.
THEY WE'RE MADE TO FIGHT.
LONDON. December ga dispatch to the
Times from Suakim says: "The prisoners
say they believe that all the mounted gun
ners were killed. An tell the same story Of
prvation aud cruelty at the bands OF the
Mahdi and Osman Digna. None Of them
wished 10 fight. but were forced to DO 20 or
persuaded 10 Eight by promises Of loot at Sua-
kim and other rewards. The trenches were
bare. They found no food, clothing, or
money, but only Snidtr rifles and cartridges.
The prisoners know nothing OF the reported
capture OF Emin or OF the fall OF the equato-
rial provinces. The natives assert that Hand
CUB will fall AZ the first approach OF our troops.
The Government ought not 70 lase this
chance. The task Il an easy one, a. there IL
not the slightest sign OF any gathering Of the
local tribes"
SALISBURY TALKS.
LONDON, December 20.- Lord Salisbury,
in a speech at Scarborough last night dwet
upon the nFogress the Liberal Unionists were
making, and reIoiced over the lrnDossibility
OF their reunitiDg With Mr. Glsdst0ne's party.
Lord Salisbury snd the. ministry had DO
intention Of eutangling the country in the
new Soudsn expedition, bu. they could not
abandon SuakIm. The English, Egyptian,
and Turkish ministries were unanimously
Of the opinion that Suskim must not be
abandoned. Lord Salisbury continued
:" As long a. the KhedIvs desires We shalt
maintain the Red Sea ports. Yves bound
under promise made BY the Gladstone
Government 10 do so. A British statesman's
first duty Is 10 prevent foreigners fFOm
thinking that every change OF government
must necessarily mean a changing OF our
foreign policy. IL would be madness 70
surrender Suakim when we are on the eve
OF suppressng slavery. because the hnal
struggle with the slave. dealers must be
fought upon the Red Seq. by tEfaiy OF
Paris we are hound to uphold the Integrity
Of the Sulian's empire
A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW.
LONDON, December 2O.- Lord Salisbury,
speaking al public meeting, this evening
again declared that the Government bad
never bad the slightest i-teDtion OF abandon
Ing Saukitn 10 the Soudsnese. Touine down
tue BIsekman incident be denied that be bad.
as Gladstone asserted, CONTEMPORARY de-
nounced the Indlsn people. TIE speeeh was
mainly retrospect OF the session. Eeferriag
to the Obstructive tactics In Parliament be
said that some way must be found 10 remedy
the evil.
Panama cana. Company.
PARIS, December 2O.-Ab0ut seven hum
dred holders Of bonds and shares IN the
Panama Canal Company held meeting To-