THE SOUDAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2299, 24 March 1898, Page 13

THE SOUDAN.

AN ENGAGEMENT IMPENDING. London. March 14. News from the Soudan states that the dervishes under Osman Digna are within 10 miles of ihe Atbara River, where General Kitchener has 14,000 men under his command. An attack is impending. Major-general Gatacre's brigade performed a splendid march to the front. The Egyptian troops captured considerable stoves of food from the enemy. I Spies who arrived at the camp at Atbara River report that the dervishes lack supplies. March 16. Reports from Berber state that the forces - under Mahmud (the Dervish general) and Osman Digna left Shendy, on the Nile, between Metemneh and Omdnrman, on the { 12th inst., and were rapidly advancing northwatSs. The Askarie, from Kassala, captured a Dervish position beyond the Atbara River. The dervishes lost 20 men during the fight, and the son of Osman Digna narrowly escaped being captured. March 18* The Times states that General Lewis has made Fort Atbara, on the Nile, impregnable. The Mahmuds 1 main body has reached Elaliah, 25 miles distant. March 21. The British force is now within 15 miles of the Dervishes' army. Oaieo, March 16. The Egyptian troops ejected the Dervishes from Shebaliya Island, killiug 30 Mahmuds. The advance party has arrived within five' miles of Atbara. Six squadrons of Egyptian cavalry have left Kunar in order to get in touch with the enemy. The railway line has now been completed for a distance of 73 miles south of Abuhamed, and the river Atbara has been made navigable to Shendy. March 18. Mahmud, with his troops, desired to follow the course of the Nile, but Osman Digoa insisted that- he should cross at Atbara. Ultimately Oilman's plan was adopted. March 19. The friendly natives hays occnpied Metemneh. March 20. The Dervishes have left El Aliab and are moving northwards. Pakis, March 15. The newspaper Debats states that the wprk of the French expedition under Lieutenant Bretonnet has largely contributed to the effective occupation by France, of the Niger territory.