Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-12-21
STANLEY A PRISONER.
THE EXPLORER HELD FOR RANSOM
BY oSMAN DlGNA
Emin Bey n Fellow Prisoner with the
Great Explorer Their Lives are
in Great Danger England VIII
Attcmpt "a Rescue.

LONDON, Dec 15-There is little doubt
that Emn and Stanley have fallen into tho
hands of the Mahdi. In the letter received
at Suakin from Osman Digna, which Is
supposed ~ have contained the announce
meut that Emin Pasha and white traveller
presumably Stanley had fallen into mo
hands OF the Mahdi were enclosed copies OF
n dispatch from dervish leader at Lado TO
the khaiita giving the date of Emin Pashas
surrender as oct 10, and letter to Emin
Pasba from the khedive, which the latter
handed to Stanley when be was at Cairo.
Along with his letter Usnnn Digna sent
several Snlder cartridges winch, he alleged,
were taken from tue white traveller. The
Ian2ibaria in Stanlcy's expedition were
armed with Snider rifles, but there were none
in the possession OF the Arab patriots.
1t is rumored that Osman Digna in his
letter expressed a Willingness 10 s,,rrvaIer
Emin Pasha and his white companion, pro
vidcd Egypt would agree to abandon Sua-
kim. If this proposal is not accepted, it is
believed that both captves will he killed.
Dispatches from Suakim state that
General Grcnfcll has recognized the let
ter inclosed in Osman Digna's as the
uilsuai III the one winch he drafted for tho
khedive, which the latter handed to Stanley
at Cairo. Thus SANKEY'S capture is virtu.
ally placed beyond doubt. The authorities
of tho Congo Free State have received no
information regarding the capture as yet
In the house OF commons MIR W. II. Smith
the government leader, said that as far AZ
was known Osmau Dignas letter announces
the surrender OF Emin Bey and white tray
eer. The government, he said, had no means
OF learning the truth.
This statement leads to the belief that the
] ant ie al, l.. =,
generally conceded that Osman Digna holds
trump card, against which his opponents
are powerless ~ play, and that the govern.
menI can only yield on the formers own
terms 1t Is believed i'll the lobbies of the
house that Eng land will be forced to treat
with the successful commander for the eVacu.
alton OF Suakim, for the government will
not dare to sacrifice the prisoners, whom
Osman Dgna Threatens to kill unless the
| town is abandoned.
| BRUSSELS, Dec. 1.-The king OF the Bel.
| gians IS exceedingly ngitated regarding tho
reported capture of Stanley and Elnin Bey
/ He receives numerous dispatches in reference
to the matter. The king admits that he wa.
the largest subscriber to the expenses OF
! Stanleys expedition.
The Independence Beige says: England
! will doubtless do everything that is possible
| 10 DE done 10 llDerate the prisoners Mr..
| Gladstone too bitterly regrets abandonina
/ Gen. Gordon for Lord Salisbury to abandon
Emin Bey and Henry Nj. Stanley"
SuAKtN, Dec. l6.-khalipa ; letter to
Osman Digna stated that the steamer ex-
petition 90 the equator commanded by Os-
man Saleh on arriving at Lado had Emin
! Pasha and white traveller delivered TO
them in chains by the emin's officers and
troops. Osman Saleh in his letter to Khali-
pa stated he reached Lado October /, and
the khedive had sent white traveller named
Stanley with the letter telling the emin to
go with Stanley and offering the remainder
of the force the option of going to Cairo or
remaining. They refused to enter the
Turkish service and gladly received Osman
Saleh Oslnan Saleh found "A large quantity
of feathers and ivory. He heard that an
other traveller had visited emin, but had
gone and he was searching for him.
\ reconnaissance was made on the left and
rear Of the rebels position to-day. The
party was headed by Gen. Grenfell and adj
vanccd under heavy fire from the forts.
The Arabs opened the fire, but did no dam
age.
Firing continues on both sides and the
Arabs earthworks have been damaged
Reports from Agg are that large con
traband trade in provisions, ammunition
and slaves is being carried on south of the
Egyptain boundary.