asking for. I was at first opposed to this fresh change, but I saw reason to give way to the arguments expressed." When the panic at Dongola occurred I was for stopping the journey of the British Naval Officers, as I doubted whether the result of a hasty examination of the difficulties of the Upper Nile would justify the risk, the more so, as the Khedive a few days ago found and lent to us a very detailed manuscript survey of the Nile above the Second Cataract. I should mention that between Wady Halfa and Dongola there is no telegraph station. I have, &c. No. 92. Earl Granville to Mr. Egerton. Foreign Office, May 22, 1884. Sir, Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that it is not advisable to take any action at present with a view to breaking up the friendly league, or until a decision has been come to with regard to the dispatch of an expedition, viâ Suakin, for the relief of General Gordon at Khartoum. I am, &c. (Signed) GRANVILLE. No. 93. (Telegraphic.) Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received May 22, 6·20 P.M.) Cairo, May 22, 1884, 6 P.M. MUDIR of Dongola thinks messenger to Gordon has entered Khartoum, but cannot leave it. Mudir begs that reinforcements for relief of Khartoum may go viâ Dongola, the best-watered route. His reports state Mahdi is at El Rahat, near Kordofan, and is prevented by his followers from going as he wished to White Nile. No. 94. The Secretary to the Admiralty to Sir J. Pauncefote.—(Received May 23.) Admiralty, May 22, 1884. Sir, I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, an extract from a letter received from Captain Hastings, of Her Majesty's ship "Euryalus," dated Massowah, the 2nd May, together with a copy of its inclosure, giving some account of the state of affairs at Kassala, &c. I have, &c. (Signed) EVAN MACGREGOR. (Extract.) Inclosure 1 in No. 94. Captain Hastings to the Secretary to the Admiralty. "Euryalus," at Massowah, May 2, 1884. I INCLOSE you an extract of a letter written to the Interpreter to the Government here by his brother in Kassala; it gives an idea of the situation, and is the latest written intelligence we have from the place. Inclosure 2 in No. 94. Extract from a Letter received from Kassala, dated April 22, 1881. SYUD OSMAN, Merghani's cousin, of Halima, went to rebels' camp, hoping to bring about reconciliation with the Government, but failed. A caravan of forty-five camels with goods from Massowah was seized at Sabdareb by the rebels. The owner, Mohamed Sobeb, appealed to Morghani, through whom the goods and camels were restored. The situation at Ghedarif becomes difficult; the principal merchants have already abandoned the place, some to Kassala, some to Galabat. Only the success of Saleh Bey upon the rebels at Messalamieh and Abu-Haras prevents Mahomed Effendi Anodel Kerim causing a rebellion at Ghedarif. We are living in continual expectation, expecting to be attacked, expecting to be relieved by English troops. Rumour says Abyssinians are coming to our rescue, and they have been already seen at Koffel. The greatest difficulty to deal with is want of money. The soldiers have received April's pay, and the Bashi-Bazouks half-a-month only. There is plenty of money in town, but the Mudir cannot avail himself of it, having been ordered not to draw bills. The ditch all round the town and the fort on the Garh are just completed, and Kassala is comparatively safe. The danger, if any, shall come from the BashiBazouks. The Mudir has already borrowed 50,000 dollars, and awaits orders from Government how it is to be repaid. Gordon Pasha gave an order some time ago that the garrison at Girri on the Setit River should abandon that place and proceed to Kassala; a Petition addressed to the Mudir by the officer came saying that they do not think it convenient to abandon this place. No news from Khartoum for one month and a-half. Gordon Pasha has threatened the Arabs of the intervention of England if they do not submit, so that if English troops do not come, Gordon's Mission will be much compromised. A message reached Bokhil Bey (the Sheikh of the Beni Amer, now in Kassala) from Osman Digna, asking for assistance, and threatened with the Mahdi's wrath if they did not submit. None have gone. The price of "doora," in spite of the situation, is comparatively very low-only 2 dollars for an ardeb. No. 95. Sir, Earl Granville to Mr. Egerton. Foreign Office, May 23, 1884. WITH reference to your telegrams of the 20th and 21st instant, on the subject of Major Kitchener's expedition up the Nile, Her Majesty's Government trust that he will not go further than Abu Hamed for the purpose of relieving Mr. Cuzzi. Her Majesty's Government question, moreover, the expediency of his proposal that Hassan Pasha should be ordered to march his men in square to Abu Hamed. I am, &c. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received May 25, 8 A.M.) (Telegraphic.) Cairo, May 24, 1884, midnight. REFUGEE from Berber states that Cuzzi was captured and threatened with death by Arabs, who offered nephew of Hassan Khalifa his liberty, but latter would not take it, and said they should kill him rather than harm Cuzzi. No. 97. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received May 26, 11 A.M.) (Telegraphic.) Cairo, May 26, 1884, 9.45 A.M. MESSENGER at Suakin ten days from Berber to-day says that Berber is all right and not invested. Khartoum is threatened by Sheikh El Obeid with local tribes only, and not large force. The Baggara, Cababish, and Hamran tribes have left Mahdi, who is said to be holding his baggage ready to leave town of El Obeid, Kordofan. News from Kassala says that Hadendowa were defeated by Beni Amer. This news is only second-hand, as messenger was caught just before entering Suakin by Digna's spies. No. 98. My Lord, Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received May 27.) Cairo, May 14, 1884. WITH reference to Sir Evelyn Baring's despatch of the 14th April,* I have the honour to inclose herewith, extracted from the "Moniteur Égyptien" of yesterday's date, a Return, showing that 2,127 cases have been adjudicated upon by the new Native Tribunals from the 1st to the 30th April, and 2,768 further cases have been tried and await judgment. I have, &c. (Signed) EDWIN H. EGERTON. Inclosure in No. 98. Extract from the "Moniteur Egyptien" of May 13, 1884. TABLEAU Récapitulatif des Affaires passées devant les nouveaux Tribunaux Indigènes du 1er au 30 Avril, 1884. My Lord, No. 99. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received May 27.) Cairo, May 14, 1884. WITH reference to my telegram of yesterday, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that Colonel Chermside reports that since the 29th April he has sent five messengers with copies of the telegram to General Gordon. One of them left viâ Kassala on the 13th instant. Two of the messengers went direct, while the other three proceeded to various Chiefs with offers of 501. for each answer brought in from General Gordon. The messages were written on parchment, and concealed in quills, which were carefully secreted on the bodies of the messengers. I have, &c. (Signed) EDWIN H. EGERTON. No. 100. My Lord, Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received May 27.) Cairo, May 14, 1884. I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith copy of a telegram addressed by Colonel Chermside to Nubar Pasha, reporting a complete success gained by the rebel Arabs over the friendly league on the 12th instant, at the Tawashim Wells, near Handoob, 14 miles from Suakin. (Telegraphic.) Suakin, May 13, 1884. COLONEL CHERMSIDE wishes the following to be communicated to Nubar Pasha: "On Sunday, after sunset, the rebels marched from Tamai in two bodies under the command of Ibrahim Dow, Chief of the Hamdab-Hadendowa tribe. Enemy's force estimated at 1,000, but very probably exaggerated. After discussing as to coming here, enemy crossed our front and occupied Deboret, driving off friendlies. Affair yesterday (12th) at Tawashim Wells, near Handoob. After a parley, complete success for enemy, who captured women and cattle from friendly league. Latter's loss not yet known. Osman Digna is at Tamai." No. 101. My Lord, Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received May 27.) Cairo, May 17, 1884. AS I have already informed your Lordship in my telegram of the 24th April,* the Egyptian Government was sending 1,000 rifles, with ammunition, and 100 horses, to the Governor of Dongola, when the news of the spread of the insurrection arrived. It was therefore decided to stop the arms which had already left Wady Halfa; this was done and they were brought back to that place. The Governor, however, begged for the arms to be sent; but Nubar Pasha answered him on the 14th that as the Egyptian Government could not send troops, to forward the arms after the late telegrams from Dongola would be but of little use, and therefore the Governor was instructed, if he judged fit, to proceed northwards with his troops, and those of the population who wished to accompany him. The Governor, however, telegraphed to Wady Halfa to get the arms. See "Egypt No. 18 (1884)," p. 28, No. 37. Under these circumstances half a battalion of Egyptian troops will be hurried up to Wady Halfa, where there is now no garrison to stop the arms being taken away, if any attempt were to be made to seize them. The two naval officers, Captain Hammill and Lieutenant Tyrwhitt, who were proceeding up the river to explore the Nile above the second cataract, have been given orders to return. My Lord, Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received May 27.) Cairo, May 18, 1884. I HAVE the honour to give below the text of a telegram sent by Colonel Duncan from Assouan yesterday : "The people left Berber on the 12th April last. Two Beys have arrived who left on the 25th and 28th, and confirm the news that General Gordon was well, and making successful sorties and fortifying the place. "Berber was quiet, and 600 men had arrived from Shendy; they know of no soldiers going over to the rebels, the road to Korosko very good. Cuzzi, with escort of fifty men, is on his way to Korosko. They both think Kitchener's force should go Abu Hamad. This news is better than I have had for some time. to "Sheikh Ahmed has arrived with his Ababdies. I send him after Kitchener tomorrow, as requested by him." Telegram from Korosko from Rundle states that "Duncan's information was sent direct by Hussein Khalifa's son, and was gleaned only by refugees." I have, &c. My Lord, Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received May 27.) Cairo, May 18, 1884. I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith to your Lordship copy of a telegram from Consul Baker, reporting that Osman Digna's people have lifted over 1,000 sheep belonging to the Suakin townspeople. (Telegraphic.) I have, &c. (Signed) EDWIN H. EGERTON. Inclosure in No. 103. Consul Baker to Mr. Egerton. Suakin, May 17, 1884. THIS afternoon some of Osman Digna's people lifted over 1,000 sheep belonging to Suakin townspeople; shepherds suspected of treachery. No. 104. My Lord, Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received May 27.) Cairo, May 18, 1884. THE following is the gist of a Report of a trustworthy nature, received from Assouan, dated the 11th May. The route to Dongola seems quite undisturbed; the population, being small and agricultural, have as yet shown no hostile feeling; nor have the desert tribes from the east in any way interfered with the route. |