The Indianapolis journal., 1898-09-04
German Foreign Office Denies an
Offensive and Defensive Alli-
ance with England.

LONDON, Sept. 3.-A report which lacks
confirmation is current this evening that
the Anglo Egyptian forces have captured
Khartoum. 1t is said that the loss of the
Anglo Egyptian army is 1000 men, while
that of the Dervishes is placed at 5000 Up
to late hour this evening no confirmation
Of the reported capture of Khartoum had
been received at the Foreign Office or the
War Office.
The War Office at noon received dispatch
from Nasri, on the Nile, saying that a gun
boat had returned there and reported that
there were no casualties among the Anglo
Egyptian forces, that the right bank of the
river had been completely cleared of all
forts, that the forts on Tuti island, opposite
Omdurman, had been demolished, and that
the guns had been captured. The dispatch
also said the howitzer practice of the sir
dar's force was excellent
On Thursday afternoon the sirdar, Gen.
Sir Herbert Kitchener, advanced to within
mile and a half of Kerrori. driving in the
enemys outposts without any casualties on
the side of the Anglo-Egyptian army. The
forces of the sirdar were then halted to
await the result of the gunboat reconnois-
sance. The Khalifa's forces, estimated to
number 80 900 men, were drawn up on the
outside of Omdurman. Keppel's gunboat
partially destroyed the dome of the Mahdi S
tomb in the mosque of Omdurman.
The War Office later in the day, received
another dispatch from Gen. Sir Henry
Kitchener by way of Nasri. 1t was not
dated and read as follows:
lowing to the wet weather, the lines have
been broken and telegraphic communication
has been interrupted. Am sending this to
Nasri to be forwarded.
.The march has been very favorable.
Practically none has fallen out of the ranks
or been invalided. During the two days we
have driven in the Dervish cavalry and
small parties after slight resistance. From
Jobel Royan we marched to Wad ell Obeid,
thence to Sayal, and thence to Surarat. This
morning we reached Egina, mile and
half south of Kerreri, six miles from Om-
durman. The mounted camel corps, with
horse battery, pushed forward to Khor-
shamba, whereupon the entire Dervish force
issued from Omdurman and were clearly
visible. l estimated his force at $1,000 men.
They advanced at IL a. m, as ii to attack
us, to meet which disposed of our forces
in a good open position, with clear heid
of fire. The Khalfa's force had matted
three miles southwest of our position anu
is now there at p M
early this morning, according to orders.
the gunboats advanced, towing howitzer
battery and barges in support of the Arabs
on the right bank. The howitzers took up a
position opposite Omdurman and the gun
boats bombarded the forts. They have not
returned, but their fire has partially demol-
ished the dome over the Mahdis tomb. All
we'll"
A dispatch to the Observer dated Nasri
island Sept. says: "Omdurman has been
occupied after a battle in which only slight
resistance was offered by the Dervishes
The Khalifa, who had re-entered the town,
fled as we entered. One hundred and fifty
prisoners were released. Our entire force Is
now encamped in the desert west of the
town. The Dervish loss was heavy"