A despatch has been published this week, dated May 17th,-
in which Lord Granville directs Sir E. Baring's locum. tenons at Cairo to inform General Gordon that, " as the original plan for the evacuation of the Soudan has been dropped," and as aggressive operations cannot be undertaken by her Majesty, General Gordon should consider how best to remove himself and the Egyptian garrison from Khartoum. " The Soudanese in Khartoum are not in danger." There is no evidence that General Gordon has received these orders ; letters from him to Suakins, which may have explained his plans, having been seized en route, and their bearer killed. Nothing, in fact, is yet known• of his position ; and the only intelli- gence from Egypt is a report that Berber has fallen. Major Kitchener, commanding at Korosko, believes that the town was taken on June 2nd ; and the Times' cor- respondent at Wady Haifa states that the Egyptian garrison, 1,300 strong, fought till their ammunition was all done, and were then put to the sword. On the other hand, Colonel Chermeide, commanding in Suakim, which is much nearer Berber, telegraphs that according to his spies, Berber was safe on June 3rd. It is necessary to wait amidst this con- flict of evidence ; but the balance of testimony is so far against the story. If it were true, why is not the fact known at Dongola, whence the Mudir keeps telegraphing accounts of victory P How could the intelligence reach Wady Haifa, and Dongola remain ignorant P
