River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-12-20
STANLEY in eREAI PERIL
The Explorer and EmIu hey Held d
Captivity by Osman Digna-fselief tina.
They VIII he Put to Death UaIess the
British EvacuatA Small a..

Naptlvtty Dy OsHian DIgna-Belisf thas
They VIII BE Put to Death CaIess the
British Evacuate suak m.
LONDON, Dec. 15.-There seems to be
little doubt that Stanley and Emin Bey
are captives in the hands of the Mahdi
General Grenfell has recognized the letter
which Osman Digma inclosed as the origi-
nal one which he had drafted for
the Khedive. The members of the Emin
Bey relief committee, however. continue
to doubt the genuiness Of the Osman
Digma letter. and suggest that the Khe-
dives letter may be copy stolen at
Cairo but they think IL more likely that
Stanley sent on runners to Emin with let
tiers and that these runners were captured
In any case they are hol eful that
even if Emin is a captive Stanley
is still free. 1t is rumored that Osman
Digma in his letter expressed a willing
ness to surrender Emin Pasha and his
white comp ,nion provided Egypt would
agree to abandon Suakim. If this pro-
posal is not accepted il is believed that
both captives will be killed. The British
Cabinet is now scussing the situation.
LONDON, Dec. l5-In the House of Com
mons Mr. W. H. Smith, the Government
leader, in answer to a question, said that
as far as known Osman ID gna's letter an
nounces the surrender of Emin Bey and a
white traveller. The Government, he said,
had no means OF learning the truth.
1t is evident from the non committal re-
ply Mr.. Smith gave in the House of Com
mons that the Government is completely
nonplussed and has no accurate informa-
tion in the matter further than is gener-
ally known. II is generally conceded that
Osman Digma holds a trump card gainst
which his opponents are powerless to play,
and that the Government can only yield on
the formers own terms.
1t is believed in the Hobbies of the House
that England will be forced to treat with
the successful commander for the evacua-
ton of Suakim, for the Government will
not dare TO sacrifice the prisoners whom
Osman Digma threatens to Kill unless the
town is abandoned. Public opinion
in England already revolts against the
Soudan expedition, and this latest phase
of the affair intensifies the feeling. There
can scarcely be any doubt that the white
traveller mentioned as surrendering with
Em.n Bey is Stanley, as every thing thus
far tends to confirm this opinion. The
balance of opinion among African experts
has for some time past accepted the
theory that Stanley had been working
towards Emin, and not actually with
him, was near him. Intense interest is
letl ueTc III Tue IdOc Ol Tue lutIepiu ca
plorer, and no one for moment believes
that the Government will allow his life TO
be sacrificed in order to hold Suakim.
Further developments in the matter are
awaited with much anxiety
BRUSSELS, Dec 15.-The King of the
Belgians is exceedingly agitated regard
ing the reported capture of Stanley and
Emn Bey. He receives numerous dis
patches in reference TO the matter. The
King admits that he was the largest sub
scriber to the expenses of Stanley's expe-
dition.
The independence Beige Gays: England
doubtless win do every thing that Is pus-
sible TO be done to liberate the prisoners.
Mr.. Gladstone too b tterly regrets aban-
doning General Gordon for Lord Sails
bury TO abandon Emin Bey and Henry NJ
Stanley"
SUAKIM, Dec. Is -Osman Digma's letter
asserts that the Mahdi has conquered the
whole OF the equatorial provinces.