THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3267, 17 March 1885, Page 2

THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN.

4> Reported Fall of Kassala. (Per Electric Telegraph. —Copyright.) (Reuter's Agency.) | Received 12.30 p.m. March 16th.] Cairo, March 15. Zebehr's son and three others have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned m the communications which it is believed have taken place between Zebehr and the Mahdi. (Received 1.5 a.m., Maroh 17th.) Zehber Pasha and son, and three other prisoners, have been taken hi H.M.S. Iris to Cyprus. Reports are current here that Kassala has been taken by the rebels, and the Egyptian garrison massacred ; also, that a rebellion has broken out m Kordofan, and the Mahdi has sent troops to quell it. (Special to the Press Association.) [Received 10.50 a.m., Maroh 16th.] London, , March 15. Special services have been held m all the Cathedrals, m connection with the death of General Gordon. IReoeivad 10.45 p.m., Maroh 16th.]; London, March IC. The absence of water transports is delaying the advance of Lieutenant-General Sir Gerald Graham. (Rbutkr'h Aobnoy.) [Received 10.50 p.m., March lOth.l Sydney, March 16. Parliament meets to-morrow, when it is expected that a Bill of indemnity m connection with the Soudan contingent will be carried by a large majority, but only after a sharp debate. ' (By Telegraph;) [Speciax to the Melbourne •" Age."] (Per steamer at the Bluff.) London, March 4. The Agents-General of the several Australian colonies had an interview to-day with the Duke of Cambridge, Commander-in-chief of the British Army, the Marquis of Hartington, Secretary of State for War, Lord Morley, Political Secretary to the War Office, and Lieutenant-General Alison. The Duke of Cambridge, m the course of the interview, denied that the offers of the Australian colonies to supply troops for the Soudan had been declined. General Alison pointed out that it would be impossible to utilise raw volunteers, and that it was absolutely essential for the Australian contingents to become accustomed ta army discipline before their services could be accepted. As the result of the interview, tho Agents-General consider that the offers of Australian troops will be accepted for the autumn. March 6. It is probable that the War Department will purchase 25,000 carcases of frozen mutton from New Zealand to be delivered at Souakim m lots as required for the use of the troops. Melbourne, March 10. The telegrams received last week from tho Home Government stating that it would gladly accept contingents from the Australian colonies if they could arrive m Egypt m September, have occupied the public attention. The Cabinet has not yet considered the question, but there is growing indication m the public Press that the proposed despatch does not meet with favor. There is an entire lack of enthusiasm, and a disposition is shown to give the matter every consideration before taking decisive action. A Cabinet Council takes place to-day, when a decision is expected to be come to regarding the proposed early summoning of Parliament, which many consider a necessary preliminary. It is understood that the various - Governments are communicating with one another m referenco to the proposed^ joint action. The Colonial Secretary of South Australia has, however, intimated that he does not consider it necessary to call Parliament together earlier than originally intended. Tho Argus published an article on Saturday pointing out that the position had greatly changed since Mr Service made the offer of troops. It therefore proposes to offer a subsidy for the equipment of a body of English troops equal to the cost of the New South Wales contingent. The Age on the other hand opposes the despatcli of a contingent altogether, and considers the colonies should devote their resources to strengthening their defences. The Governor sent a memorandum to Mr Service last week thanking, on behalf of'the Queen, those officers and men who volunteered their services. Ho says the spontaneous outburst of loyalty cannot fail to be gratifying to the Queen. Sydney, Maroh 10. Newi has been received of the arrival of

the steamers Iberia aud Australian at Black - Btairs passage on Saturday last after a rough passage, during which some horses sustained injuries. Many prominent persons went aboard. Numerous presents of printed books to send to the troops have been received. The recent nctiou of the Government is by no means meeting with unanimous approval. A meeting was held at Newcastle for the formation of a patriotic fund, but an amendniont was proposed and carried by a large majority opposing the despatch of the contingent. The Lord Mayor of London sent a telegram to the Governor as follows :—" Hearty congratulations our noble colonists for patriotic support Old Country. Your eloquent, spirited address to troops given immense satisfaction to citizens London."