THE SOUDAN WAR.

Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 32, 7 February 1884, Page 2

THE SOUDAN WAR.

DEFEAT OF BAKER PASHA. COWARDICE of EGYPTIAN tfROOFS. HEAVY LOSS OF MEN AND MATERIAL. [BECTXB'S TBLBQBIKB.I CidEO, sth February. Intelligence is to hand from Souakim, reporting that Baker Paslra made an advance for the purpose of rolieving the garrison at Tokar, but was attacked near tie latter place by a strong force of Arab rebels. An engagement took place, which resulted in the defeat of the Egyptian troops, with a loss of 2000 men, four Krupp guns, and a Gatling gun. Baker Pasha iB now returning to Souakim with the remainder of his force, finding further advance impossible. Later. Further details to hand from Souakim regarding the defeat of Baker Pasha's forco by the Arabs, show that the Egyptian troops, of which bis-foroe largely consisted, proved utterly untrustworthy, and when called upon to advance against the enemy refused to fight and fled ignominiously. The European and Turkish detachments stood their ground, but were overpowered and outnumbered, and were cut to pieces. Much alarm was felt at Souakim at the success of the followers of El Mahdi, and a force of marines was landed from the British war vessels lying off the town in in order to prevent a panic occurring among tho inhabitants. The defeat of Baker Pasha's troops has rendered tho relief of the beleaguered garrisons at Sinkat and Tokar hopeless. London, sth February. In view of the recent reverse sustained by the Egyptian troops under Baker Pasha in his operation against the Arab rebels sear Souakim, orders have been issued for the detention until further notice of the troopships now on their way to India. It is not, however, known whether the Government hod decided to land any troops on the west coast of the Red Sea or to undertake the defence of Souakim against the rebels.