THE REBELLION IN SOUDAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1809, 9 February 1884, Page 2

THE REBELLION IN SOUDAN.

Disastrous Defeat of General Baker near Suakim.

[by electric telegraph.— copyright.] [keuteh's telegrams.] (Received February G, 8 p.m.) Cairo, February 4. Intelligence is to hand from Suakim reporting that Baker Pasha made an advance, for the purpose of relieving the garrison at Toka, but was attacked near the latter place by a strong force of Arab rebels. An engagement took place, which resulted in the defeat of the Egyptian troops with a loss of 2000 men, four Krupp guns, and a Gatling gun. Baker Pasha is now leturning toSaakim with the remainder of his force, finding fuither advance impossible.

[Received February 7, 1 a.m.] C urg, February 5. Further details to hand from Suakim regarding the defeat of Baker Pasha's force by the Arabs, show that the Egyptian troop*, of which his force largely consisted, proved utterly untrustworthy, and when called upon to advance against the enemy refused to fight, and fled ignominiously. The European and Turkish detachments stood their ground, but were overpowered and outnumbered, and were cut to pieces. Much alarm was felt in Suakim at the success of the followers of El Mahdi, and a force of marines was landed from the British vessels lying off the town, in order to prevent a panic occurring among the inhabitants. The defeat of Baker Pasha's troops has rendered the relief of the beleaguered garrison at Sinket at Toka hopeless. Loxdox, February 6. In the House of Commons to-day Mr. Gladstone announced that the Government had oideied that measures should immediately be taken to reinforce the Indian squadron at Suakim, under Adtniial Hewitt, with the view to the protection of that town from the land aide by a f oi cc of marines and sailors. On Monday morning last Baker Pasha's force, consisting of 3600 men, engaged a force of 3000 Arab 3, at a place about seven miles from Tiinkitat. The Arabs exhibited most desperate bravery, and chaiged the cavalry, who quailed before the onslaught. The Egyptian artillerymen fired one round on the enemy, and then abandoned their guns. Colonel Sartorius ordered the infantry to form square, Lut owing to panic prevailing the movement was incompletely executed, and the Arabs, charging into the gap left, completely routed the infantry, who threw away their gu,n3 and implored mercy. The slaughter was terrible. The Mossowah black troops alone maintained a firm resistence, and General Baker. failing to rally his forces round them, a general flight took place, the Arabs pursuing the fugitives until they took refuge behind the earthworks near Triukitat. General Baker has since embarked the remainder of his army on five ships, and proceeded with them to Suakim. The enemy's loss was small, but the Egyptian army lost 2000 men, and all their baggage and guns were captured. General Baker and Colonels Sartorius and Burnaby narrowly escaped being taken prisoners. Seven English and ten-foreign officers are missing. The immediate result of the defeat has been a massacre at Sinkat and Toka. Gordon Pasha's safety is doubtful, as the fall of Khartoum is likely to follow. A force of marines has been lauded at Suakim. This further Egyptian disaster is likely to seriously damage Mr. Gladstone's credit in the coming general election. February 7. The Egyptian troops at Suakim are reported to be mutinous, and inclined to fraternise with the townspeople. A general rising is feared. In the House of Commons last night an amendment was proposed to the report on the Address-in-Reply, being in eftect a motion for a vote of censure on the Government for their policy in regard to the affairs in the Soudan. Five hundred sailors and marines on board the troopship Oronte3 have been ordered to Suakim. The Government has also ordered the transport of troops from Aden to the Egyptian ports on the Gulf of Aden for garrison duty. In its issue this morning, the Daily News publishes a telegram from its correspondent in Upper Egypt, stating that the tribes in the neighbourhood of Korosko have revolted, and that Gordon Pasha is unable to proceed farther on bis journey from Korosko to Khartoum. Cairo, February 6. Baker Pasha has telegraphed from Suakim that his assailants near Toka numbered a thousand.

Mr John Knox will sell at the Hamilton Auction Mart on Saturday, the 10th inst., by order of the mortgage, lot No. 17 and 18, Taupiri, one acre, with comfortable dwelling house, adioinine the Taupiri Hotel. The bay gelding Charlie will bo offered by Mr Buckland it the Cambridge Horse Sale on the. 16th instant. The usual Ohaupo Live Stock Sale will be held on the 18th inst. Notices of elections under the Licensing' Act, 1881, for the election of committees for the districts of Te Arpba, Waitoa, and KihlkiW, »H«t mpm;*(jYCrti^^coJwj}n|, **