The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-12-20
STANLEY IN GREAT PERIL.

The Explorer and Emin Boy Held .
Captivity by Oman Digna-Bolief that
They Will BE Put 60 Death Unloss the
Brltish Evaouato Sualk.m.
LONDON, Dec. 15.-There seems to be
little doubt that Stanley and Emin Boy
are oaptives In tho hands Of the Mahdi.
General Grenfell has recognized the letter
which Osman Digma inclosed as the origi-
nal ono 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 it more likely that
Stanley sent on runners to Emin with let
ters and that these runners were captured.
In any case they are hopeful that
even II Emin 10 captive Stanley
is still free. 1t 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 captives will be killed. The British
Cabinet is now discussing the situation.
LONDON, Dec l5.-In the House Of Com
mons Mr.. w. Fl. Smith, the Government
leader, in answer to a question, said that
as far as known Osman Digna's letter an
nounces the surrender of Emin Bey and q
white traveller. The Government, he said,
had no means of learning the truth.
It 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 inf0rma-
ton in the matter further than is gener-
ally known. It is generally conceded that
Osman Digma holds trump card against
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
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 the
VuooTy Iuat oGsanAoy udu Deeu 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 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
Emln Bey. He receives numerous dis
patches in reference to the matter. The
King admits that he was the largest SUBJ
scriber to the expenses of Stanley's expe-
dition.
The independence Beige says: England
doubtless will do every thing that is pos
sible to be done to liberate the prisoners
Mr.. Gladstone too bitterly regrets aban-
doning General Gordon for Lord Sails
bury to abandon Emin Bey aud Henry NJ.
Stanley.''
SuAKlM, Dec. 15-Osman Digma's letter
asserts that the Mahdi has conquered the
whole OF the equatorial provinces.