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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 237, 20 December 1888, Page 2

THE “DARK CONTINENT.” Events now seem to be developing rapidly in the Soudan, and the question which has occupied so much attention for more than twelve months past—- “ Where is Stanley ?”—has now a possible, though very improbable, solution. So many false reports come from that quarter of the world that one never knows what to believe, and some people are even yet doubtful whether Gordon is really dead. It is, however, certain that Stanley never achieved the object for which he set out, for the purpose of relieving Emin Bey, nor is it at all probable that the White Pasha could be Stanley, Emin Bey, who is an Austrian by birth, has proved himself a man of sterling qualities, and, though long cut off from the links that enabled him to communicate with civilised communities, he has held out against the Mahdi and his followers. In a letter received from him he stated he had no desire to be “ relieved,” and would not quit his post if he were able to do so. At the same thne he admitted that he was short of military supplies and medicines. Such a brave and determined man is hardly to be less esteemed than Stanley himself. Though British interference in Egypt has been attended with very unsatisfactory results, and many hold strongly the opinion that an evacuation should long ago have been made, our sympathies are naturally altogether in favor of those adventurers who have achieved so much in spite of the enormous obstacles. Britishers would be more pleased to hear that Stanley was really a prisoner who might be released on payment of a ransom than that he had succumbed in his perilous venture. But if it is true that Emin Bey has been captured the news can only be of the worst, for it was thought that he would be able to hold out for an indefinite period, remembering that the belief was general he had held out so long. Upon the doubtful information received, however, it would be an absurdity to base any conclusions, nor would it be much satisfaction to speculate on the probabilities. One thing is certain, that England is likely to have a great deal more trouble in that quarter.