The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-12-20
STANLEY IN GREAT PERIL.
The Explorer and Enfn hey Held In
Captivity by Osman Digna-lseiief that
They viii BE Put to Death Unless the
british Eyacu0te Suak m.

The Explorer and Emin hey Held in
Captivity by Osman Digna- Belief that
They viii BE Put to Death Unless the
British Eyacuate Suak m.
LONDON, Dec. 15.-Thcre seems to be
little doubt that Stanley and Emin Bey
arc captives in the hands of the Mahci.
General Grenfell has recognized the letter
which Osman Digma inciosed 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 tho khe-
dives letter may be copy stolen at
Cairo, but they think it more likely that
Stanley sent on runners to Emin with let
ters and that these runners were captured.
In any case they are horeful that
even il Emin is q captive Stanley
is still free. It is rumored that Csman
Digma in his letter expressed willing
ness to surrender Emin Pasha and his
white companion provided Egypt would
agree to abandon Suakim. II this pro-
posal is not accepted it is believed that
both captiyes 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
lSuoCis IA An5"CA w - auSosAohs SaAa eAAeso
as far as known Csman D. gna's letter an
nounces the surrender Of Emin Bey and a
VIII to 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. 1t 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 lobbics of the House
that England will be forced to treat with
the successful commander for the eyacua-
tion 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
Emin 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 tho
theory that Stanley had been working
towards Emin, and not actually with
him, was near him Intense interest is
felt here in the fate of the intrepid ex
plorer, and no one for a moment believes
that the Government will allow his life te
be sacrificed in order to hold Suakim
Further developments in the matter az,
awaited with much anxiety.
BRUSSELS, Dec l5-The King of the
Beigians is exceedingly agitated regard
ing the reported capture of Stanley and
Emin 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 rays: "Englani
doubtless will do every thing that is PCS
sible to be done to liberate the prisoners
Mr.. Gladstone tco bitterly 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 thu
whole OF the equatorial provinces