the Story of the Mahdi's Captives.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 89, 14 April 1892, Page 7

the Story of the Mahdi's Captives.

Father Oiirwaldjcrs Experiences

The correspondent of Reutor's Agency in Cairo has obtainod a detailed account of the terrible experiences undergone by Father Ohrwalder and his companions during the period of their captivity in the Soudan. The story goes back to April, 1882, when a dervish force was sent by the Mahdi to attack the Austrian mission station in South Kordofan and reduce it. The missionaries resisted the attack, but the station was surrounded, and a siege was begun which lasted rive months. At the end of that period, during which the little garrison suffered great privations, it was captured through treachery on the part of "Borne of the natives. Treatment of the Nuns. Father Ohrwalder, Father Bonomi, and Other members of the mission were taken to the Mahdi's encampment outside El Obeid. Whey were then afforded an opportunity to embrace Islamism, and on refusing they wera kept; close prisonors in the camp, gome time afterwards a number of other missionaries who had been capfcurod were brought to El Oboid. The nuns who had fallen into the hands of the enemy wore Bonb to the Mahdisb carap at llahad. *phey wore there nominally married and iorced to live the life of Moslems. They accompanied the Mahdisbs to Khartoum, and were present at the siege and capture «f that city. Since that time they have lived at Orndurman, nominally froe, but teally under the strictest surveillance. In August, 1884, Fathers Ohrwalder, Roseigiioli, and Bonomi were sent back in chains to the camp at El Obeid, and were there released. A Wretched Existence. After the escape of Father Bonomi in 1885, Fathers Ohrwaldor and Eossignoli Were transferred to Omdurman, where they had an interview with the Khalifa, and were subsequently allowed to live in freedom, following the sauao mode of life as the Arabs. They wore not ill treated, bub were linablo to communicate with the civilised world, as they were constantly surrounded by spies, and the Khalifa had all their letters interpreted and read to him. Father Ohrwalder states that thoir existence at ;this period was so wretched that they often wished for death as a happy release. They saw Slabin Bey frequently, but he was always jealously guarded under the Khalifa's own eyes. The Situation at Omderman. Some interesting information is afforded 9by Father Ohrwalder as to the present situation of aflairs at Omdurman. He says it is the intention of the Khalifa that his son Osman shall succeed him. Osman is a well-educated lad of seventeen. He was married in February last to his uncle Yakub's daughter. There are two UnderKhalifas at Omdurman, Mahommed and Helu. In October last Mahommed complained to the Khalifa that he tvas nob being treated with proper reepect, and that he received no regular ißalary. A stormy discussion ensued, bub Was interrupted by the Khalifa's Baggaras, Xfho had become greatly excited, knocking and clamouring at the door. Next day the late Mahdi's fifty widows, who resented the seclusion to which they had been yelegatod, sent a formal demand that they should either at once be set at liberty or jehou'ld bo supplied with money. Yakub jßent them §600, bub the widows still remained discontented.

EXTRAOKDINARY SCENES. . A fresh cause of dissension arose from (the fury of the Under-Khalifa Mahommed When he was informed that one of hie captains, named Zogal, had been sentenced to be hanged on the 24th of November. A report became current soon afterwards that Mahommed was planning a revolt; To circumvent his scheme the market was closed. The people then repaired in crowds to the mosque, and amid a scene of tremendous excitement the building was surrounded by the Khalifa's Jehadieh blacks. iNexfc morning Mahommed'a men fired on the Baggaras, killing seventeen and thempelves sustaining a loss of seven. While Jihis revolt was in progress, the widows of the late Mahdi arrayed themselves in uniforms, and arming themselves with spears, drew up around their zereba for the purpose of defending it. At the same time a number of Baggara horsemen began looting the town, but they were stopped by other Baggaras. The greatest uproar and disorder prevailed , in every part of the town. The Under-Khalifa Helu and others vainly attempted to mediate and restore order, and it was not until the 26th ult. that a temporary compromise was arrived at, the ffehadieh blacks still standing to arms round the mosque and the Khalifa's houee. Oα the following day further rioting occurred, and amid the general confusion the refugees contrived to make good their Bscape. Father Ohrwalder does not think the riots amid which he and hie companions escaped will bo attended by any serious Consequences

The Khalifa. The Kbalifa Abdulla has from the first been the real instigator and director of the Mahdist movement. Tho late Mahdi was really little more than a figure-head. The Khalifa is now forty-three years of age. He ie badly marked by smallpox, is lame, and cannot read, but is a good preacher. He is growing much leas active, owing to the luxurious life ot self-indulgence which he leads. His harem consists, of 150 carefully-selected Soudanese beauties. The Khalifa realises that it is useless to try to extend his power. He attributes the constant failure of his offensive excursions solely to the presence of the British jn Egypt. It ie, therefore, probable that In tho future he will content himself with acting entirely on the defensive, as he fears Great Britain more than either Turkey Or Egypt. Repeated attempts have been Inade by the Khalifa to conciliate the hostile tribes ; bub Father Ohrwalder believes he ia quite incapable of establishing sound government, his sole principle of action being that might is right, while his cupidity fnd cruelty are unbounded. Mahdism, the ofngeea think, is really dying out.

Emix Pasha. It is believed in Omdurman that Emm JPasha will be able to restore authority in the Equatorial provinces; but Father Ohrwalder does not think Emm will try to push northwards, as the Mahdi Chief Zaki k atFashoda with a stronpr force and would Jbe almost certain to bar his further passage. Afe JJongola there are now about 1,200 Jehadieh blacks and some fI.OOO Arabs under Yunia. Father ©brwalder is strongly in favour of itbe reoccupation of the Soudan, where the people simply writhe under the horrible cruelty and oppression of the Baggaras. Hβ also urges that the present is a favourable moment for an advance, as the longer it Iβ delayed the more difficult it will bo. The Khalifa is determined to prevent Kassala from falling into the hands of the Italians, find it is rumoured thab an expedition consisting of 1,000 Jehadieh blacks and 3,000 Arabs is being organised ab Omdurman, end will bo sent to Kassala to defend thab town. It is thought they may attack the Italians ab Bisha, which the Khalifa considers his country. The export trado of the Soudan is entirely in bhe hands of the Jaalin traders, aro still seventy-live European men, women, and children at Omdurman. All the labe General Gordon's clothing and ether etlecba have been destroyed,