with the prospect of such a possible case they should always, by timely forethought, be prepared to take the necessary steps to prevent war material from falling into the hands of the enemy. In short, they are, when undertaking any such service, to have a clear understanding beforehand as to where the responsibility lies, and be fully prepared for any emergency that may arise. (Telegraphic.) No. 137. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received June 5, 345 P.M.) Cairo, June 5, 1884. KITCHENER reports that rebels are at east of Murad still, but that as they want water and provisions, the desert will in a few days be clear of them. Kitchener proposes to go to Murad. No. 138. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received June 5, 6·40 P.M.) (Telegraphic.) Cairo, June 5, 1884, 6.20 P.M. FOLLOWING from Chermside, Suakin, to-day :"Osman is undoubtedly being reinforced; 7,000 reported, not yet confirmed; and he has promises of large reinforcements, and he certainly hopes to insure attack shortly. Defence posts held at present quite sure, with marines expected. If another battalion could be placed here in a week we could probably hold mainland suburb intact against determined attack, but could not guarantee it absolutely. Water forts almost complete. All other posts ready." Sir, No. 139. The Secretary to the Admiralty to Sir J. Pauncefote.-(Received June 6.) Admiralty, June 5, 1884. I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you, for the perusal of Earl Granville, extracts from a private letter from Captain Hastings, of Her Majesty's ship "Euryalus," dated at Massowah the 15th May, respecting the state of affairs at Kassala. I am, &c. Extract from Captain Hastings' Private Letter, dated Massowah, May 15, 1884. WE are in constant communication with Kassala, almost a regular post, and what I gather, the fear of the inhabitants is, that the troops may join the rebellion, and they anxiously ask for some definite news as to when they will be relieved, or when they will be allowed to withdraw, so as to inform troops, and cause them to hold out that period which, no doubt, they can easily do. The troops, at the best of times, are not very staunch to the Government, and their pay was the chief incentive for service; but this has long ceased, even the frontier garrisons of Senhit and Amendit* have not received pay for three and five months respectively; in fact, nobody paid. I received a telegram from Nubar Pasha requesting me to pay them, but as I have only 2,000l. here, and that is all due to the employés at the end of the month, not much could be done, especially, as it required 10,000l. to settle up to the end of April. * ? Amadeb. Inclosure 2' in No. 139, Extract of a Letter from Kassala, dated April 29, 1884. THE population of Ghedarif have joined the rebels, but this, has happened quietly, without any murdering. The Chiefs of the rebellion are Mohamed Effendi, a son, and Sheikh Abdallah, a brother of Amad-el-Kerim Pasha. Five Christian merchants, who were yet there, have been obliged to turn Moslems. The property of some others who had escaped had been destroyed; the tobacco in store at Ghedarif and neighbourhood was burnt. In Kassala there is no change. Friday and Saturday last we had to repulse the furious attacks. I do not believe there is any serious danger of the rebels taking the place by assault. The merchants, in order to prevent any trouble, caused by the nonpayment of the troops, have placed at the disposal of the Mudir all the necessary amount of money he might want. The Mudir declined the offer, not having received any order for it. The three companies in Gheera have written to ask for an escort of 400 horsemen and 400 soldiers for the safety of the route, if the Mudir was wanting them at Kassala. The rebels came to-night at 150 yards from the walls and opened fire upon the town. We had to fire a good deal till we could drive them back. Now their camp is in Sakrook, three-quarters of an hour from the town. The officers and soldiers beg of the Mudir to allow them to go and fight them, but the Governor does not think it convenient. .. Bakhib Bey, the Chief of the Beni Amer; now at Hatmia, came to tell the Mudir that if there was no fighting he would prefer to go home to Daga. The Mudir told him that he was going to consider the matter; and see if it was possible to go out for a battle, and begged of him to wait for two days more. No. 140. My Lord, Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville-(Received by telegraph, June 6.) Cairo, June 6, 1884. WITH reference to my despatch of to-day, I have the honour to inclose copy of a telegram from Captain Molyneux, dated Suakin, 3rd June, which was sent after consultation with Colonel Chermside and the Governor of the town, in which the rebel force is described as increasing in numbers, and as preparing for a general attack From this telegram your Lordship will see that the authorities at Suakin consider the island safe, but in order to hold the mainland position as well, they say that it would be necessary to have two English and two Egyptian battalions, and some more Egyptian gunners, besides a moderate additional expenditure for defensive works. I have answered to-day, after consultation with Generals Stephenson and Wood, and Nubar Pasha, in a telegram of which I have the honour to inclose a copy, that another Egyptian battalion will probably be sent at once to Suakin, but that it must be understood that operations should be confined to the defence of the works and of the water forts. A force of 250 marines is now on its way to Suakin on board Her Majesty's ship "Iris." I have also informed the authorities at Suakin that we have no reason in Cairo to believe in Osman Digna's report of the fall of Berber which was telegraphed to your Lordship by me on the 1st instant. I have, &c. P.S.-Mr. Baker telegraphs, 7th June : "A spy sent out on the 4th instant returned to-day: He states that the Dervishes are in Berber; that 2,000 soldiers and 1,000 Arabs were killed, and that many soldiers joined the tribes. Kassala is invested. No news of Khartoum. Osman Digna is daily receiving reinforcements." E. H. E. Inclosure 1 in No. 140. Commodore Molyneux to Mr. Egerton. (Telegraphic.) Suakin, June 3, 1884, 6.9 P.M. ENEMY undoubtedly gathers strength. Berber news giving confidence. By accounts received from rebels attack is constantly urged and hoped for by them. It would be advisable to strengthen Egyptian position with Englishmen night and day, which would require an addition of 200 men. Reinforcement, if ordered now, could be countermanded if Berber news does not materially increase the rebel force shortly. This arrangement would merely strengthen the present defence. In case of a determined attack, I could not guarantee the safety of the large population in the native suburb, entrance into which would affect our prestige, but the wells and island would be quite secure. To hold the mainland position, as well as the island, two Egyptian and two English battalions, and additional Egyptian gunners, would be necessary, with a moderate expenditure for defence and huts. We might then arm the friendly league, and support their offensive materially. Our entirely defensive policy is taken for weakness, and must damage prestige with all tribes. This in consultation with Colonel and Governor. (Admiral, Alexandria, informed.) Inclosure 2 in No. 140. Mr. Egerton to Commodore Molyneux. (Telegraphic.) Cairo, June 6, 1884. WITH reference to your telegram of the 3rd June, it is probable that another Egyptian battalion will be dispatched as reinforcement. It must be understood that operations should be confined to defence of works and water forts. No. 141. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received by telegraph, June 6.) My Lord, Cairo, June 6, 1884. WITH reference to my despatch of to-day's date, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that Major Kitchener telegraphs to day that Sheikh Bishir Gibran came in this morning from Murad. He reports that the country is quiet, and that the Bishareen had not gone over in any numbers to the Shemeun; as, however, the Bishareen are occupying the eastern portion of their country, he did not see much of them. He further reports Shemeun's men to be now numerous, and that they have left Tellatalb. Telegrams communicated to the Foreign Office by Admiralty, June 7, 1884. Commodore Molyneux to the Secretary to the Admiralty. Suakin, June 5, 1884, 5:35 P.M. REBELS' strength has been increased by tribes rejoining them on receipt of the news about Berber. Am confident [of] being able to secure Suakin Island, but reinforcements which has been ordered will strengthen all posts materially. Rebels lost considerably [on] Sunday night. Have been fired at every night since, but no serious attack has been made. Natives of town [on] mainland are a cause of some anxiety. Am making best arrangements I can by enlisting friendly tribes to protect their property. Vice-Admiral Lord J. Iíay to the Secretary to the Admiralty. Alexandria, June 6, 1884, 2.40 P.M. Lieutenant-General states that in his opinion the reported increase of Osman Digna's force and threatening attitude makes it a question whether the marines [at] Suakin should not be still further reinforced. Lieutenant-General prepared to occupy Port Saïd, if necessary, but has not troops to spare for Suakin. Though Commodore is responsible, Lieutenant-General evidently considers further reinforcements are required. Request instructions. The Secretary to the Admiralty to Vice-Admiral Lord J. Hay. Admiralty, June 6, 1884, 3.35 P.M. Red Sea as far south as Suakin will be at once placed under your command. You should proceed to Suakin to consider measures necessary for defence, but do not etart until further orders, as it may be desirable that a military officer should accompany you. Inform Commodore of your movements. He has been told transfer will take place forthwith. The Secretary to the Admiralty to Vice-Admiral Lord J. Hay. Yours of to-day. Admiralty, June 6, 1884, 8.15 P.M. You can go to Suakin at once and send there all available marines from Port Saïd, arranging with General to take our garrison there. No. 143. (Extract.) The Secretary to the Admiralty to Sir J. Pauncefote.-(Received June 7.) I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you, for the perusal of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copy of a letter from Commodore Molyneux, dated the 17th May, reporting on the state of affairs at Suakin. P.S.-A similar letter has been sent to the War Office. (Extract.) Inclosure in No. 143. Commodore Molyneux to the Secretary to the Admiralty. "Sphinx," at Suakin, May 17, 1884. I HAVE the honour to submit, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the following Report on the existing state of affairs at Suakin : Outside the town the rebels under Osman Digna have been showing themselves more aggressive towards the friendly tribes, leading to some little fights, in which the friendlies have lost a few lives, and had some women and cattle taken from them, and are threatened with the loss of their wells. The immediate effect of this is rather favourable to us than otherwise, as it obliges these friendly tribes to combine against the rebels, in order to secure their water supply. They are urgently begging for arms, &c., and might, if they had their hearts in the work, collect a force strong enough to subdue Osman's followers; on the other hand, we cannot feel very confident, as hitherto the friendlies have lost many excellent opportunities, and there is always the chance that Osman Digna may succeed in winning them over to his side. The question of arming the friendlies has been raised before, and I have it now under my consideration. There is no doubt that Osman Digna is supplied with rifles and ammunition far beyond his present wants, so that the addition of a few more would not alter the situation, and it is hardly reasonable to expect the friendlies to attack him with their spears against his rifles. If they beat him, it is undoubtedly a gain to us. If they are beaten, they are hardly worse off than they are now, and they are already threatened with the loss of their wells, and must, if they lose them, either join him or leave the neighbourhood, as the water supply during the next few months will not be sufficient for all these natives and their flocks. If the friendlies join Osman, we shall find some difficulty in keeping the town supplied with provisions, and the difficulty of opening up a route to the Nile from here will be increased, whereas an important success may improve the prospects very materially. I am inclined therefore to sanction the issue of the Remington rifles sent here by the Egyptian Government for that purpose, summoning a meeting of the Chiefs, and taking some guarantee that they will return them. The works defending Suakin are being improved, with a view to concentrating our small force as much as possible; and I have been building a new gate to place at the head of the causeway, to replace a very light structure quite unequal to resist any rush or pressure. On Monday, the 12th instant, the day after the Rifles sailed in the "Orontes," there were rumours of an intended attack on Suakin, after a rebel success against the friendly tribes, and finding there was an uneasy feeling prevailing in the town itself, I ordered all the available seamen and marines present to land in the evening, and marched them through the bazaars and outside to the wells. The demonstration had the desired effect, and I have been since informed that the idea of an attack, which was being discussed by Osman's Chiefs, was abandoned as soon as they heard that we had still a considerable force in the place. The marines (about 120 in number) in the forts remain on there fourteen days instead of twenty-four hours, as was the practice with the Rifles. I think the change is beneficial in every way. It enables the men to make themselves comfortable, to attend better than they otherwise would to sanitary matters, and it has the great advantage of making them thoroughly conversant with their necessary duties, whether ashore or afloat, besides keeping them more in hand than if they were constantly shifting. I am thoroughly satisfied with the way they have taken to the work, and their health is satisfactory. The Egyptian troops keep a very good look out, and, as far as one can judge, wish to do their best if an attack takes place; but they are bad shots, and the English officers do not understand their language. The English and Egyptian troops, and some others, are supplied with distilled water from the condensing steamers. Since the Rifles left one has been ample at a time, and I have therefore been able to allow the "Tor," Egyptian gun-boat, to proceed to Roweyieh with the Customs and other officials to start some important salt works, which bring in revenue to the Egyptian Government. The Sheikhs there, I am told, are friendly, but the people are no doubt tainted with rebellion, and I am curious to see whether the position of the people employed can be maintained. They will reside near the sea, and have boats well watered and provisioned ready to move off if their position becomes unsafe. Ordinary labour is very scarce and dear here, and skilled labour is impossible to obtain except by sending to Jeddah for it. It has therefore been necessary to employ the carpenters of the Squadron for a few days on work connected with the defence of the place, and it may be desirable occasionally to employ marines in various trades for the same purpose. I was applied to this afternoon by Colonel Chermside to allow the Egyptian cavalry to go out to recover a large flock of sheep that had been driven off by the rebels; the message came so late that they were probably many miles off, and it was therefore out of the question; but I would submit that with the present force under my command it will be unwise to send any troops much beyond the range of the forts guns, as I have no one to send to their support in case of need. I make a point of mentioning this fact, as our prestige may possibly suffer somewhat by inactivity, though I cannot see that the friendly tribes have any claim whatever on us. (Telegraphic.) No. 144. Mr. Egerton to Earl Granville.-(Received June 9.) Cairo, June 9, 1884, 11:40 A.M. KITCHENER telegraphs a Bishareen report that Berber has fallen. It is |