THE SOUDAN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10624, 20 March 1896, Page 2

THE SOUDAN.

Preua Association—Ey Telegraph—Copyright. London, March 18. The "Cairo correspondent of The Times wires that the opinion in military circles is that Indian troops would bo more suited for service at the Soudan than white troops. Slatin Bey, who recently escaped from the Soudan, joins the expedition. March 19. Members o£ the Tripie Alliance oonsent to the Egyptian reserve fund being used in defraying ths cost of the expedition. Ths Times says: "There is reason to believe that Kassala will be evacuated tomorrow. If. the report is Confirmed this withdrawal will entirely alter the aifcoafcion of the Italians in Africa. Such a confession of weakness must react seriously on Egypt. Both the Nile Valley and Suakim will be threatened, and it in the duty of the British authorities to provide against the threatened mischief." ■, Rome, March 18. General BaWisseia has ordered non-com-batants to leave K«sssla. The Italian commandant hopes to hold out till July. . March 19. It is reported from Massowah that the dervishes aro swjthin two hoars' march of Kaseala, and are only waiting the arrival of Osman Digna's forces. The Shoaes have stopped egress from Adigrat. Paris, Maroh 18. M. Berthelot, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has published a Note calling Lord Dufferin's attention to the gravity of the results of the British military expadition up the Nile. •M. Blowitz, The Times correspondent, says that the Note is an impudent one, and has weakened .the action of France. March 19. The French Government explain that the Note sect to Lord DnfEerin merely intended to reopen the financial question, and they desire to maintain cordial relations with England.

M. Berfcbelot had aa interview with Lord Duffarin of a cordial nature.