A SANGUINARY BATTLE,

Otago Witness, Issue 956, 16 May 1889, Page 10

A SANGUINARY BATTLE,

THIRTY THOUSAND ABYSSINIANS

KILLED.

TWO THOUSAND PRISONERS BEHEADED.

(Per Press Association.)

Cairo, May 9.

News' is to hand of the great! battle between Johannes, Negus of Abyssinia, and the dervishes, which took place early in April. The battle lasted three days. On the first day the Negus captured many prisoners. Early on the second day the dervishes made" a surprise attack on Menelek's forces and the latter was wounded. While suffering from the effects of a raging fever, brought on by his wound, Menelek ordered the captives to be beheaded, and 2000 corpses were heaped before him. On the morning of the third day Menelek; attired in sumptuous robes, mounted his horse, and declaring himself " the elect of God," and that he was invincible^ rode out at the head of the troops and invited a battle. In this encounter with the dervishes he was again wounded, and succumbed to the wound, his army being completely routed by the dervishes, and 30,000, killed. It is reported that the dervishes were commanded by an Englishman. Massowah, May 11.

A sharp encounter has taken place between the troops of the Negus and the dervishes, at Serra. The latter, who were driven off, left 80 killed on the field. It is reported here that Ras Aloula, the Abyssinian commander, has been killed by dervishes.