Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-15
ROssIGNOLrs ESCAPE.
story of His sufferings While Pri-
soncr OF the Mahdi I'm the sOudan.

4 hoihe stAttI 10 lne New 1oih 6erdlu
says: After d long series Of almost in
credible adventures. after thirteen years
OF slavery In the Soudan, Father Paolo
/ Rossignoli, who miraculously succeeded
| In escaping from the hands of the NAH
dists, who kept him prisoner at Omdur-
| man. arrived in Rome yesterday.
on behalf Of the Herald | had the
pleasure OF being received the first by
, him. Father Kossignoli is strong.
/ broad, well-built man, tanned almost
black by the African sun, and wears a
! full beard which has here and there
turned white with his intense suffering.
lie is man Il years Old. although look
| ing older.
| When the Mahdst instruction burst
| out he was q priest OF the Austrian mis-
! sion of FL Obeid in the Kordofan, and
went through the horrors of the selge
until January, 1855, when he was taken
prisoner. 1t would be impossible to
| describe all ne has suffered and had to
bear mentally and physically. The treat
ment Of the missionaries especially, be-
! cause they refused 10 embrace Mohamme-
Ganisn, was most cruel and horrible
The poor nuns were several times tortured
and whipped, until three OF them sue
cumbed and professed the religion of
| Mohammed.
Some Of the men died" went on Father
I Rossignoli. "as. for example, Lupton Bey
| and Father Nedfeld. AS for me, assure
you that only my faith kept me alive
for thirteen years among so many cruel
ties and with the prospect every moment
OF being cut 10 pieces by the ferocious
MahdisSs. and 1t is through 1t that am
here to-day
AIDED BY GUIDE.
in
loyalty and cleverness OF the Arab guide
Mohammed Abduliah Omar, sent TO me
by the English Major Wingate Bey, with
a card of Mgr. Sogaro, our Archbishop
on which was written, half In Latin and
half in Italian. "Ecce apropinquat re-
| demptio. Fiduca mel Sacro CaCre di Ge-
sue, venite' (The redemption Is APP
preaching. Confide in the Sacred Heart OF
Christ. and Gomez
From Omdurman TO Assouan we took
thirteen days which would require a
volume to describe"
Passing on 10 speak of the Soudan it
self. the Father said;
THE situation in the soudan is most
unhappy. Fanaticism has now passed
away. together with the power of
Mahdsm. Formerly the Mahdi collected
and distributed the rich booty OF the
Egyptian provinces, and this maintained
the enthusiasm. bravery and discipline
Of his army. Now all is changed. There
Is no glory to be won. and no rich re-
ward, while all is disorder discourage
ment. and corruption.
The successor OF the Mahdi. the pres
ent Caliph. has also contributed TO this,
he being a barbarous tyrant Now things
| are reduced to such point that 10 re-
conquer the Soudan would be an easy task
for England. II would take very few men
and littlr time. and If England does not
do So it is for political reasons, and not
for military difficulties.
ENGLAND'S POSITION EASIER.
However, as long as the Soudan is re-
presented as now in the eyes of Europe
that is TO say, as threatening incog-
nita--it is easier for England 10 maintain
her position In Egypt. while If II were
reconquered and peace assured all over
the ancient Egyptian dominions, II would
be more difficult for Great Britain TO
justify her presence on the Nile.
'Mahdism is not stronger on the side
Of Nassaia and the Italian settlements.
Since the loss of kaSsala Osman Digma,
the great warrior. has been sent 10 recc-
cupy II, and until now. almost year.
has never tried, for want OF organized
and disciplined troops. The rumor of an
alliance between dervishes and Abys-
sinians is unfounded. the union OF the
latter. who are farvent Christians, with
the former. who are fantical Moham-
medans, not being possible"
What are your plans for the future?
asked, on taking leave.
Il shall go back" he replied. Africa
is now Tor me a second fatherland and
feel that my work Is there. and. besides
there are about fifty prisoners left be-
hind whom | must do my best to de-
liver"
Father Rossignol will soon be received
by the Pope