OSMAN DIGNA CAPTURED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11277, 22 January 1900, Page 5

OSMAN DIGNA CAPTURED.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.— Copyright, j London*, January 20. The Daily Telegraph announces the capture of Osman Digna at the Tokah j Hills, in the Soudan. ! Osman All (rolled Osnian Digna, or " the j bearded one." from diku, the heard) was horn at Suakin about 1636. He is not of pure Arab descent ; his grandfather was a , Turkish tlave-dealer, who married a woman ! of the Hadendowa tribe; and Osman. like bis | father and grandfather before him. was a dealer in slaves, and had connections in Khar-1 toum and Berber ; and durin,- latter years, j before lie appeared as the ambassador of the j . lahdi. lie stayed more frequently at Berber than at Suakiii. There he entered into communication with the Mad hi, Mohammed Ahmed, and matured his plans for inducing the tribes round Suakin to rebel against the oppression of their hgvptian rulers. It is well known with what skill Osman Digna filled liis position, extended his influence over the rebellious tribes, and rose in the estimation of the authorities at Khartoum. The rebellion of the False Prophet on the White Nile broke nut in December, 1881 ; and, on August 3, 1883, Osman Digna appeared before (Suakin, on which day the first encounter took place at Sinkat with iowfik Bey. Osman being beaten and wounded, and losing three members of his family. In September, 1885. an Abyssinian expedition under Iks Alula, which had been sent to the relief of Kassala by King Johannes, encountered Osman Digna at Kafeil. and utterly defeated him. He again threatened Stiakin in 1888, whence he was repulsed by General Orenfell on December 21 of that year. He again played a prominent part in the recent Soudan war. ___________