Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-12-21
DESPERATE BATTLE.
The Rebels Routed in a Fight at
Suakim.
FOUR HUNDRED KILLED.
Lord Salisbury Doesn't Believe stanley Il
the Mahdi's Prisoner. aud Pro-
poses to Keep the War Pot
Boiling just the Same.

LONDON, Dec. el-Dispatches from Sua
kim state that a decisive battle has been
fought, in which the rebels have been
worsted, and dislodged from their position.
The fight took place Wednesday morning
and was a series of desperate charges on the
Arabs After the allies had got into the
enemies intrenchments, the Arabs became
panic stricken, and made but weak resist
ance. In vain their chiefs endeavorcd tc
rally them. Squads here and there fought
bravely, but they could not withstand the
determined combined onslaught of the British
and Egyptian troops
English officers are unstinted in their
praise and admiration of the intre pdity OF
their black allies, who fairly shared the
honors of the victory with the British regi-
ments
The combined forces stormed the redoubts
and trenches, and after half hours brilliant
fighting the enemy was driven into the bush
completely routed.
The rebel loss is estimated at 400 killed
with large numbers wounded. The British
forces are now encamped in the position re-
Gently occupied by the rebels. The victory
to the British arms is complete.
The British had four men killed and two
wounded in one of the desperate cavalry
charges. The Egyptian black regiments
made brilliant charge upon the enemy's
trenches, in which two were killed and thirty
wounded. Only two Egyptian officers were
wounded
The news of the battle between the British
and Egyptians and the Arabs excites much
interest. Egypt is now practically under
British control. The khedive depends upon
England to keep the Mahdi and his Arab fol
lowers from sweeping down upon Cairo.
a
have held Suakim as a garrison. Except OF
the water front, where a naval squadron has
been stationed, the garrison has been sur
rounded by the Arabs No ono could ven
ture outside of the Notifications without risk
to his life
The battle which resulted in the routing OF
the Arabs, marks the beginning of cam
paign which it is popularity supposed thu
British will not abandon until the Mahdi has
been captured.
Recently the British ministry has received
advices from Osman Digna, one of the
Mahdi's lieutenants stating that Emin Bey
and "white traveller" supposed to be
Henry NJ. Stanley were in his hands, and
demanding the evacuation of Saakim rs a
price for the release of the two men.
Lord Salisbury has decided to disregard
the communication from Osman Digna, stat.
ing he is not convinced that Emin and Stan.
ley are the Mahdi's captives
The British ministry are now committed tc
an aggressive campaign in Egypt Should
the report prove true that Emin and Stanley
are the men whom the Mahdi holds, and they
should be butchered by the dervishes, it may
result in the overthrow Of he Tories, and at
any rate it will certainly be as great blot
on their government as the Gordon episode
was on the administration of Gladstone
To conquer the Mahdi the British troops
must follow him into q country where they
will suffer privation and hardship
Further news from the Soudan will be
eagerly awaited.