NEWS OF THE WEEK.
AMESSAGE, undoubtedly authentic, has at last been received in Cairo from General Gordon. It is addressed to the Khedive, is written in cypher, and has been three times repeated. It bears date, Khartoum, August 26th. Its contents exactly confirm the view taken by the British Government. General Gordon is not in any danger at Khartoum, and never has been. By spending 21,500 a day, for which he demands an immediate remittance of 2300,000, the General has formed a force with which he keeps the Arabs at bay, and expects shortly to take Berber. He has directed Colonel Stewart to attack that town with Bashi-Bazouks, and burn it to the ground—a needless, as well as cruel act ; to visit Dongola, and then to go to the Equator and bring away the garrisons. He expects British troops, who will help him to remove the Egyptian garrisons ; but says he shall band over the Soudan to 200,000 (or possibly 20,000) Turkish soldiers, whom he expects immediately. He anticipates no attack from the Mahdi, and 4` hopes the Soudanese will kill him." The 2300,000 he requires should, he suggests, as we read his message, be sent under the escort of the Turks.
