THE STORY OF THE MAHDI'S CAPTIVES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1933, 25 February 1892, Page 31

THE STORY OF THE MAHDI'S CAPTIVES.

(St. James' Gazette, January 1.)

A correspondent at Cairo has obtained a detailed account of the terrible experiences undergone by Father Ohrwalder and his companions during the ])eriod of their captivity in the Soudan. The story goes back to April, 1882, when a dervish force was sent by the Mahdi to attack the Austrian mission station in South Kordofan and reduce it. The missionaries resisted the attack, but the station was surrounded, and a siege was begun, which lasted live months. At the end of that period, during which the little garrison suffered great privations, it was captured through treachery on the part of some of the natives.

TREATMENT OF Tin: NUNS

Father Ohrwalder, Father Bonomi and other members of the mission were taken to the Mahdi's encampment outside El Obcid. They were then afforded an opportunity to embrace Islamism, and on refusing were kept close prisoners in the camp. Some time afterwards a number of other missionaries who had been captured were brought to El Obeid. The nuns who had fallen into the hands of the enemy were sent to the Mahdist camp at Rahad. They were there nominally married and forced to live the life of Moslems. They accompanied the Mahdists to Khartoum, and were present at the siege and capture of that city. Since that time they have lived at Omdurman, nominally free but really under the strictest surveillance. In August 1884 Fathers Ohrwalder, Rossignoli, and Bonomi were sent back in chaius to the camp at El Obeid, and were there released.

A WUIUCHED KXISTfrXCE.

After the escape of Father Bonomi in 1885,

Fathers Ohrwalder and Rossiguoli were transferred to Omdurman, where they had an interview with the Khalifa, and were subsequently allowed to live in freedom, following the same mode of life as the Arabs. They were not illtreated, but were unable to communicate with the civilised world, as they were constantly surrounded by spies, and the Khalifa had all their letters interpreted and read to him. Father Ohrwalder states that their existence at this period was so wretched that they often wished for death as a happy release. They saw Slatin Bey frequently, but he was always jealously guarded under the Khalifa's own eye.

THE SITUATION AT OMDUHMAN.

Some interesting information is afforded by Father Ohrwalder as to the present situation of affairs at Omdurman. He says it is the intention of the Khalifa that his son Osman shall succeed him. Osman is a well-educated lad of 17. He was married in February last to his uncle Yakub's daughter. There are two UndorKhnlifas at Omdurraan, Mahommed and Helu, In October last Mahommed complained to the Khalifa that he was not being treated with proper respect, and that ho received no regular salary. A stormy discussion ensued, but was interrupted by the Khalifa's Baggaras, who had become greatly excited, knocking and clamouring at the door. Next day the late Mahdi's 50 widows, who resented the seclusion to which they had been relegated, sent a formal demand that they should either at on6e be set at liberty or should be supplied with money. . Yakub sent them 600d01., but tho widows still remained discontented.

EXTRAOHDINARY SCENES,

A fresh cause of dissension arose from the fury of the Under-Khalifa Mahommed whon ho was informed that one of his captains, named Zogal, had been sentenced to bo hanged on the 24th November. A report became current Boon, afterwards that Mahommed was planning a revolt. To circumvent his scheme the market was closed. The peoplu then repaired in crowds to the mosque, and amid a scene of tremendous excitement the building was surrounded by the Khalifa's Jehadieh blacks. Next morning Mahommed's men fired on the Baggaras, killing 17, and themselves sustaining a loss of seven. While this revolt was in progress the widows of tho late Mahdi arrayed themselves in uniforms, and, arming themselves with spears, drew up around their zareba. for the purpose of defending it. At tho same time a number of Baggara horsemen began looting the town, but they were stopped by other Baggaras. The greatest uproar and disorder prevailed in every part of the town. Tho Uiwler-Khalif a Helu and others vainly attempted to mediate and restore order, and it was not until the 26th ult. thnta temporary compromise was arrived at, the Jehadieh blacks still standing to arms round the mosque and tho Khalifa's house. On the following day further rioting occurred, and amid the general confusion tho refugees contrived to make good their escape. Father Ohrwalder does not think tho riots, am id which he and his companions escaped, will bo attended by any serious consequences.

THK KHALIFA,

The Khali fa Abdulla has from tho first been the real instigator and director of the Mahdisb movement., The late Mahdi was really little more than a figure head. The Khalifa is now 43 years of age. He is badly marked by smallpox, is lame, and cannot read, but is a good preacher. He is growing much less active, owing to the luxurious life of self-indulgenco which he leads. His harem consists of 150 carefully selected Soudanese beauties. The Khalifa realises that it is useless to try to extend his power. He attributes the constant failure of his offensive excursions solely to the presence of the British in Egypt. It is, therefore, probable that in the future he will content himself with acting entirely on the defensive, as he fears Great Britain more than either Turkey or Egypt. Repeated attempts have been made by the Khalifa to conciliate the hostile tribes ; but Father Ohrwalder believes he is quite incapable of establishing sound government, his solo principle of action being that might is right, while his cupidity and cruelty are unbounded. Mahdism, the refugees think, is really dying out.

KMIN TA&IIA,

It is believed in OmduAauthatJjijnin Pasha will be able to restore authority in the,' Equatorial provinces, but Father Ohrwalder does, not think Emm will try to push northwards, as the Mahdi chief Zaki is at Fashoda with a strong force and would be almost certain to bar h)S further pnssage. At Dongola there are now about 1200 Jehadieh blacks and some 4000 Arabs under Yunis. Father Ohrwalder is strongly in favour of the re-occupation of the Soudan, where the people simply writhe under the horrible cruelty and oppression of the Baggaras. He also urges that the present is a favourable moment for an advance, as the longer it is delayed the more difficult it will be. The Khalifa is determined to prevent Kassala from falling into the hands of the Italians, and it is rumoured that an expedition consisting of 1000 Jehadieh blacks and 3000 Arabs is being organised at Omdurman, and will be sent to Kassala to defend that town. It is thought they may attack the Italians at Bisha, which the Khalifa considers his country. The export trade of the Soudan is entirely in the, hands of the Jaalin traders. There are still 75 European men, women, and children at Omdurman. All the late General Gordon's clothing and other effects have been destroyed.

H. Nicholson lowered the Now Zealand record for swimming a-quarter of. a mile by doing the distance with 23 turns in 6min 13sec. It is understood the Government intend to enforce the retirement of a number of senior officers in the Audit department on a pension.