The news from Khartoum is contradictory and confusing. Intelligence is
received both from General Gordon and Mr. Power, the Vice-Consul, who is correspondent of the Times; but though they are on excellent terms, and vouch for each other, their views are not identical. Mr. Power wants an expe- dition sent, and represents Khartoum as surrounded, and the case hopeless, unless British troops make their appearance soon. -He especially does not like the idea of a retreat up the Nile to the Equator and a march to the Congo, which he says nobody -will survive. He keeps on affirming that General Gordon ex- pects a British force. General Gordon, on the other hand, does not ask for troops, does not think the Arabs will get in ; and -whether hopeless about his old plans or not, is in no way despairing, writing that the Mahdi, at El Obeid, is hampered by internal revolt. The differences may partly be due to differences of temperament and position ; but there is a real discrepancy as to General Gordon's expectation of .troops, which cannot be cleared up yet. It is certain that the General has no official reason to expect them, and nearly certain that he would not expect them until the rising of the Nile makes transport by water a little easier. His exact view, bowever, is either unknown, or known to the Government only.
