THE REBELLION IN THE SOUDAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1682, 16 February 1884, Page 10

THE REBELLION IN THE SOUDAN.

(Reutkk's Telegrams.) Cairo, February 6. Baker Pasha telegraphs from Souakim that his assailants near Tokar numbered under 1000. February 7. Dispatches have been received from Baker \ Pasha stating that the disaffection among the ] .natives in the neighbourhood of Souakim is in'creaaing, and that the rebellion is spreading j rapidly among the desert tribes. It is expected that an attack will be -made ' upon Souakim, but Baker Pasha hopes to be a&le to defeat the enemy with ths troops at his command. The dispatches also state that in the recent, battle near Tokar the Arabs lost 600 killed, ' besides wounded. February 8. Later intelligence from Souakim states that' Baker Pasha mistrusts the troops under his command at that place, and it is expected that some regiments will be recalled to Egypt 1 . February 9. Telegrams from Souakim state that a messenger has arrived there from Sinkat, the governor of the latter town having sent urgent appeals for help. The garrison and inhabitants of the town are ia extremis. It is, however, impossible to send assistance, and the fate of the town ia considered hopeless. Traders from Nubia report having met Gordon Pasha between Korosko and Adoohamed. He was then proceeding to Khartoum. Baker Pasha hasb9en recalled from Souakim by the Khedive. Admiral Hewitt, of the East indian. squadron, has been invested with the command of the troops stationed there, and the I town has been declared to be in a state of ' siege. February 10. Authentic intelligence is to hand to-day that Gordon Pasha arrived yesterday safety at Berber, a town on the Nile above the Fifth j Cataract, and is now well on his journey towards Khartoum. A full brigade of Egyptian troops are now i under 'orders to proceed to Assoon, on the First Cataract on the Nile, on the Nubian frontier, where preparations will be made with I a view to opposing the advance of the rebels into Egypt proper. Should this be attempted tho troops will be officered throughout by Englishmen, and the force will be despatched with the least possible delay. Cairo, February 11. Intelligence is to band to-day that Majorgeneral Gordon arrived yesterday at Berber. . London, February 7. live hundred sailors and marines on board the troopship Orontes have been ordered "ttJs. Souakim. The Government has also ordered a transport of troops from Aden to tho Egyptian ports on the Gulf of 'Aden for garrison duties. In its issuo this morning the Daily News publishes a telegram from its correspondent in Upper Egypt stating that the tribes -in the neighbourhood of Korosko have revolted, and that Gordon Pasha is unable to proceed farther on his journey from Korosko to Khartoum. The statement that the Mediterranean squadron has been ordered to rendezvous at | Souakim is incorrect. The squadron is now about to proceed to the Red Sea, but a force of 1200 marines i 3 to be drafted from the ships under Lord John Hay's command for servico at Souakim, and will be despatched thither at an early date. A further force of 800 marines, now stationed at Portsmouth, is also under orders to proceed ta the same destination. February 8. The telegram published »by the Daily News in its issue yesterday, stating that Gordon Pasha was captured and in the hands of the | rebels near Korosko, has been authentically contradicted, and the report is stated to be ■without foundation.

Two battalions of infantry have been ordered to proceed from Aldershot to Malta and Gibraltar, where they will be held in readiness to despatch to Souakim should their services be required.

(Special to Pkess Association.) London, February 6. On Monday morning last Baker Pasha's forces, consisting of 3600 men, engaged a force of 3000 Arabs at a place about seven miles from Trinkitat. The Arabs exhibited the most desperate bravery, and charged Baker Pasha's cavalry, who fled before the onslaught. The Egyptian artillerymen fired one round afc the enemy, and then abandoned their guns. Colonel Sartorious ordered the infantry to form a square, but owing to the panic that .prevailed the movement was incompletely executed, and the Arabs, charging into the gap left open, completely routed the infantry, who threw away their arms and implored mercy. The slaughter was terrible. The Massowah black troops alone maintained a firm resistance, and General Baker failing to rally his forces on them a general flight took place, the Arabs pursuing the fugitives until they took refuge behind the earthworks near Trinkitat. General Bakor has siiica embarked iho <

remuants of his army nn five ship", and proceeded with thorn to Souakhn. Tho enemy's loss was small, but the Egyptian array lost 2000 mon, while all their baggage and guns ware captured. Ganeral Baker and Colonels Sactorious and Bnrndloy narrowly escaped being taken prisoners. Seven English and 10 foreign officers are missing. The immediate result, of the defeat has been that massacres have occurred at Sinkat and Tokay. Gordon Pasha's safety is doubtful, and the fall of Khartoum is likely to follow. A fores of marines has been landed at Souakim. This farther Egyptian disaster is likely to seriously damage Mr Gladstone's credit at the coining general election. „ , February 7. The Egyptian troops in Souakim are reported to be mutinous and inclined to fraternise with the townspeople. A general rising is fearedIt has transpired that the Mediterranean squadron, under Lord John Hay, Jhas been I ordered to proceed without delay to Souakim. The Daily News publishes a telegram announcing that Gordon Pasha has baon captured and made prisoner by tribes near Korosko, who aro now in revolt. February 8. Colonel Gordon has not yet reached Aboohamed, a city at which he is due. % It is considered probable that Baker Pasha's force will be recalled and disbanded. February 10. The Observer publishe3 a telegram stating that Gordon Pasha has arrived safely at Berber. • Sinkat has offered to surrender. February 12. Admiral Hewitt, who has recently been appointed to the command at Souakim, has refused permission to the marines of French and Italian gunboats to land there. In consequence of tho critical state of affairs in the Soudan, the English Government are ' preparing for large shipments of ammunition to Egypt. li'jpurts have been received from Colonel Gordon in which lie states th*t there is a quieting appearance throughout the country which ho traversed. ' - The Liberal members are urging the Cabinet to use energetic measures with respect to the Egyptian policy.