THE SOUDAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2200, 30 April 1896, Page 19

THE SOUDAN.

. Caibo, April 20. - -Disorders are reported from Omdnrman. SCne Khalifa's body guard quarrelled among jfhemtelvea, and in a fight 50 were killed. The Emir of Berber has sent. 400 men to Kbrosko and Murat Welle, and has also teinforced Osman.

April 21. The French and Bussian members of the Calsse de la Dette allege that the advance of funds to assist the British expedition In the Soudan was illegal, and they demand that the money be repaid. Five hundred of the Khalifa's body guard were killed in the fight whioh took place among themselves.

April 22. General Baldissera has returned. Menelek's peace proposals and negotiations have been abandoned.

The dervishes, before their defeat by Major Sydney, entangled Captain FenwJck's icouts in the bash and 'speared many of them. Captain Fonwick's Egyptian cavalry flefended a hill all eight and repulsed four assaults. Great disorder is rampant among Osman Dlgna's troops, acd since the fighting commenced they have been almost without food. April 23. . She whole of ihe expedition has now . arrived atTVadj Haifa. Re«B, April 24. " , King Menelek offered to , agree to jnsrch to the frontier, but insisted on the Italian .^'protectorate over Abywinia being abandoned. Premier Radini Agreed if tha prisoner* were released and King Mwaelek undertook to refuse to allow any other Power to assume a protectorate. King Msnelek, however, declined these conditions. April 2S. The Italian troops defeated 11,000 derVlehes afArgotal. The latter lost 500 men, trhile the loss of the Italians was 100. Melbotjbne, April 23. I A number of militia officers are urging ihe Government to send a small Victorian . contingent for service in South Africa. Tbe proposal is to send a light battery of artillery and 100 picked men, the Government alone saying the cost of transport. April 24. The proposal to send a Victorian contingent to South Africa has been received Boldly by the military authorities. Treasurer Turner states that no money is available for tbe purpose, and further, that England does not require colonial help. (Per Alameda at Atjcki-and.) In the House of Commons -on March 6 Mr Ourzon pointed out the threatening dervish advances and their danger to Egypt, and intimated that the movement of the Egyptian troops arose partly from a desire to aid Italy in Jber struggles with the Abyaainians. The Government were sure that all the subjects of her Majesty would have a most sincere sympathy with Italy. He expressed regret at the defeat of General Baratieri. The oonrage of the Italians led to the hope that they would rise from their reverses and vindicate the honour Of their flag. At .the present moment he said that .influences were at work and forces were enchained in Central Africa which, if flashed with victory and swollen by perfectly possible combination* of events, would constitute a most serious danger, nob merely to Egypt, Italy, or the British occupation of Egypt, but to the cause of Europe, which is the oause of civilisation.