superintends throughout the country the execution of the laws and regulations. On the point, therefore, of the necessity of a European superintendence, I entirely share the views of the matter which you have expressed to me; I only differ as to the manner of applying your idea. This does not prevent the Minister of the Interior or the President of the Council from having associated with him some European subordinates, like Mr. Rogers, for instance, whom he might send, either to conduct an inquiry, or to make an inspection in the provinces, and who would report to him. I repeat then, dear Mr. Egerton, that our view is the same; we only differ as to the way of applying it. I think I can give you good news. Since the publication of the Decree with regard to vagrants, brigandage has ceased in the provinces. Should this continue another ten days, I shall then be in a position to inform you with certainty that, notwithstanding the poverty which is prevalent in the country, the provinces are perfectly safe. I have, &c. (Signed) No. 107. NUBAR. My Lord, Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.(Received May 27.) Cairo, May 19, 1884. WITH reference to my telegram of to-day, I have the honour to inclose extract from a telegram from the Vakil of the Korosko-Abu Hamed desert route, who is the son of Hussein Pasha Khalifa, respecting the progress of the rebellion to Abu Hamed, and the siege of Berber. The Vakil of the Korosko-Abu Hamed Desert Route to Nubar Pasha. Le 18 Mai, 1884. DEPUIS quelques jours Berber est assiégé par les rebelles. Les Bédouins cernent la ville de tous côtés. Les habitants s'en sont tous enfuis et mon père Hussein Pacha Khalifa se trouve enfermé lui et ses soldats. Notre cousin, le Commandant du Desert d'El Atmour, a été pris par les Bédouins qui l'ont amenê au Vizir du Mahdi. Ceux-ci ont aussi assiégé Aly Pacha Wabbi et le représentant de Gordon à El-Shérik. L'armée du Mahdi s'est avancée jusqu'à Abou Hamed, s'est emparée de la Shouna (dépôt) et empêche les gens, tant les allants que les venants, de passer par la route d'El-Atmour. J'implore votre Excellence d'envoyer une force suffisante pour faire cesser le siège qui enserre mon père et de sauver mon cousin et ceux qui sont avec lui du péril où ils se trouvent. (Translation.) May 18, 1884. FOR some days past Berber has been besieged by the rebels. The Bedouins surround the town on all sides. The inhabitants have all taken to flight, and my father, Hussein Pasha Khalifa, is blockaded with his soldiers. Our cousin, the Commander of the Desert of El-Atmour, has been taken by the Bedouins, who conducted him to the Mahdi's Vizier. These latter have also besieged Aly Pasha Wahbi, and the representative of Gordon at El-Shérik. The army of the Mahdi has advanced to Abu Hamed, has taken possession of the Shouna (depôt), and prevents people, as well those going as those coming, from making use of the El-Atmour road. I implore your Excellency to send a force sufficient to raise the siege by which my father is cut off, and to save my cousin and those who are with him from the peril in which they stand. My Lord, No. 108. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received May 27.) Cairo, May 19, 1884. WITH reference to your Lordship's telegram of the 17th, I have sent copies of both telegrams of Her Majesty's Government to General Gordon by a messenger strongly recommended by Zebehr, It was judged best, after consultation with Sir E. Wood, not to pay the messenger double, but 101. per diem for every day under forty. That is from Cairo to Khartoum and back to Korosko, whence it should be telegraphed. If Major Kitchener succeeds in getting into communication with Hussein Khalifa, the latter will be instructed to send a copy of your Lordship's message to Khartoum. Assim Pasha to Musurus Pasha.-(Communicated to Earl Granville by Musurus Pasha, May 27.) (Télégraphique.) Constantinople, le 25 Mai, 1884. L'AMBASSADEUR d'Angleterre nous a communiqué les deux dépêches de son Gouvernement mentionnées dans le télégramme confidentiel de votre Excellence, et il nous presse pour une réponse en ajoutant qu'il considère tout retard comme une fin de non recevoir de notre part. Lord Dufferin ne nous a pas caché qu'il serait obligé de faire part à Londres de cette impression. Or, la question est trop importante pour ne pas comporter un examen minutieux. Je prie donc votre Excellence de voir Lord Granville et d'assurer sa Seigneurie que le Gouvernement Impérial délibère sur l'objet de ses dépêches précitées. (Telegraphic.) (Translation.) Constantinople, May 25, 1884. THE English Ambassador has communicated to us the two despatches from his Government, mentioned in the confidential telegram from your Excellency, and he presses us for an answer, adding that he considers any delay as a final rejection on our part. Lord Dufferin has not concealed from us that he would be obliged to acquaint the Government in London with this view. However, the question is too important not to demand a thorough examination. I beg your Excellency, therefore, to see Lord Granville, and to assure his Lordship that the Imperial Government is deliberating on the subject of the above-mentioned despatches. No. 110. (Telegraphic.) Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received May 27, 2·30 P.M.) Cairo, May 27, 1884, 2 P.M. SLATIN BEY, in letter from Darfour, says that the rebels are successful in that direction, and have taken El Facher. The Mudir of Dongola telegraphs that he has defeated the Chaikieh, and made them submit to the Government. He wishes for large reinforcements, in order to recover Soudan. No. 111. (Telegraphic.) Earl Granville to Mr. Egerton. Foreign Office, May 27, 1884, 4·40 P.M. WHAT is the date of the last bill drawn by General Gordon, presented in Egypt ? My Lord, No. 112. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received by telegraph, May 28.) Cairo, May 28, 1884. I HAVE the honour to inclose a translation of a telegram, dated to-day, sent by the Mudir of Dongola to the Khedive's Cabinet, reporting the return of his messenger from Darfour. According to this messenger another Mahdi has arisen in that country, who has made many adherents, who claims to be able to fly through the air on his bed, and who denounces Mohammed Ahmed, the Mahdi of Kordofan; the latter, indeed, has sent troops against this flying prophet, but without success. I doubt whether any of this Mudir's telegrams are more veracious in details than the present one; but, at the same time, there now certainly seems to be some check in the progress of Mahdiism. I have, &c. (Signed) EDWIN H. EGERTON. Inclosure in No. 112. The Mudir of Dongola to the Cabinet of the Khedive. (Télégraphique.) Ambokol, le 28 Mai, 1884. L'ÉMISSAIRE qui est revenu du Darfour rapporte qu'au Darfour il est apparu un individu qui se déclare Mahdi; que cet individu a un "ankarib" (lit Soudanien), sur lequel il s'enlève et vole dans les airs. Cet individu, nouveau Mahdi, prêche et déclare que Mohammed Ahmed n'est qu'un de ses Derviches. L'émissaire susdit rapporte encore que Mohammed Ahmed a envoyé des troupes contre le nouveau Mahdi; ces troupes ayant vu le nouveau Mahdi s'envoler dans les airs sur son "ankarib" (lit) ont eu peur, et s'en sont retournés. Le nouveau Mahdi marche contre elles. Une grande partie des habitants de ces régions ont fait leur soumission au nouveau Mahdi. (Telegraphic.) (Translation.) Ambokol, May 28, 1884. THE emissary who has returned from Darfour reports that there has appeared at Darfour an individual who gives himself out as the Mahdi; that this individual has an "ankarib" (Soudanese bed), on which he lifts himself up and flies in the air. This individual, the new Mahdi, preaches, and declares that Mohammed Ahmed is merely one of his dervishes. The above-mentioned emissary reports further that Mohammed Ahmed has sent troops against the new Mahdi; these troops having seen the new Mahdi flying through the air on his "ankarib" (bed) were frightened, and have returned. The new Mahdi is marching against them. A great part of the inhabitants of these districts have made their submission to the new Mahdi. (Telegraphic.) No. 113. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.--(Received May 29, 3.35 P.M.) Cairo, May 29, 1884, 2:40 P.M. LAST advice from General Gordon of having drawn for 5271. on private house in Cairo, repayable by Government, dated 31st March. Egyptian Government has paid no bills drawn by General Gordon, neither has Ottoman Bank here been advised by their Soudan branch of any payments. My Lord, No. 114. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received by telegraph, May 30.) Cairo, May 30, 1884. I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith copies of two telegrams which have been received by Sir Evelyn Wood from Major Kitchener, dated Korosko, yesterday, reporting the advance of a rebel force from Abu Hamed to Murad. I have had the honour to communicate to your Lordship by telegraph the substance of these telegrams. I have, &c. (Telegraphic.) Inclosure in No. 114. Major Kitchener to Sir E. Wood. Korosko, May 29, 1884. TWO Arabs have come Abu Hamed, left there ten days ago together. They say the place is occupied by Arabs under the Emir's Imaum nominated by the Mahdi as Governor of the province. They say they saw the enemy at Abu Hamed. They escaped, and as they travelled saw the enemy advancing on Murad. They went in night to Murad to get water, and the enemy were there. This was two days ago. They have no idea of the force, but say they are Rowat Bishareen and Hassanyeh, making a very large force. They say the Emir is at Murad, and means advancing on Korosko, but this is very doubtful. I see no cause to disbelieve this news, except the last paragraph. I have sent on Sheikh Sala with a party, and he should be at Murad. last night. I expect news from him to-morrow. Am putting outposts out of Arabs. Korosko, May 29, 4.50 P.M. In addition to my telegram of this morning, I am led to believe that they are at Murad, have come to destroy the wells and go back. I hope to have more definite information to-morrow. I have placed posts on all roads coming from desert. No. 115. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received by telegraph, May 30.) My Lord, Cairo, May 30, 1884. IN continuation of my immediately preceding despatch, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that, although the alarming intelligence therein reported may not be confirmed, it has been decided to put two more Egyptian battalions under orders for Assouan, with cavalry and artillery. The force at Korosko will be increased to a full battalion, and that at Wady Halfa also; these places are now garrisoned by half-battalions only. I have, &c. Sir, Mr. Swainson to Sir J. Pauncefote.-(Received May 31.) Admiralty, May 30, 1884. I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copy of a telegram, dated the 28th May, from Commodore Molyneux, reporting that a considerable force of rebels threatened Suakin on the night of the 27th instant. I am, &c. (Telegraphic.) Inclosure in No. 116. Commodore Molyneux to the Secretary to the Admiralty. Suakin, May 28, 1884, 3.45 P.M. CONSIDERABLE force rebels threatened town last night; dispersed by three volleys, leaving some arms and sandals on ground. Town quiet and secure. Minister Cairo informed. No. 117. Sir, Mr. Swainson to Sir J. Pauncefote.-(Received May 31.) Admiralty, May 30, 1884. I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copy of a telegram, dated the 28th May, from Vice-Admiral Lord John Hay, reporting that Commander Hammill, of Her Majesty's ship "Monarch," left Halfa on the 28th instant. I am, &c. (Telegraphic.) Vice-Admiral Lord John Hay to the Secretary to the Admiralty. Alexandria, May 28, 1884, 2.50 P.M. COMMANDER of "Monarch" left Halfa to-day. He will not be within communication for fourteen days, but any important telegrams addressed to Halfa will be sent on by messenger on a camel. No. 118. (Telegraphic.) ton: Consul Baker to Earl Granville.-(Received June 1, 1.15 P.M.) Suakin, June 1, 1884. I REGRET to report that Berber has fallen. "Artillery fire and volley firing heard yesterday in rebel camp. Direct trustworthy report thence to-day states that firing was rejoicing over news brought by eleven messengers of fall of Berber. Rebels taken twenty guns, and 200 soldiers alive. Osman is enrolling men. He has 3,200, and 300 more hourly expected." No. 119. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received June 1, 5·15 P.M.) Cairo, June 1, 1884, 5.30 P.M. (Telegraphic.) IT is reported from Suakin by messengers arrived in Digna's camp that Berber has fallen, but one part of news is manifestly incorrect, namely, that rebels took twenty guns, as there were no more than one or perhaps two guns there; 200 soldiers said to have been taken alive. Osman Digna is enrolling men; has about 3,200, and is said to be expecting 300 men from Beni Amer tribe to join him. He has four guns, and threatens attack on Suakin. No. 120. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received June 2, 9.30 A.M.) (Telegraphic.) Cairo, June 2, 1884. RATHER heavy firing last night at Suakin. Enemy came close to defences. |