It is probable that Khartoum is lost. The Times' corre-
spondent there has asserted this for some time, and now the following official telegram, addressed to the Egyptian -War Ministry, by Colonel Coetlogon, has been forwarded from Cairo. Colonel Coetlogon commands the troops in Khartoum, and is a most experienced and competent officer :—" I implore you, in view of the impossibility of relieving the garrison, to give orders for our retreat, as one-third of the troops are dis- affected, and cannot be depended upon, even for maintaining order in the town. The inhabitants and their neighbours are against them to a man. With twice their number we could not resist an attack While regretting the necessity of ad- vising his Highness to abandon territory, yet it is the only way of saving the army. Escape is now possible, but it will not be later." It is doubtful whether retreat is now possible, one great tribe having broken out on the road behind Colonel Coetlogon.
