NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THEGovernment has resolved eithet to defend Khartoum, or provide that its evacuation shall be accomplished with- .out bloodshed. It has accordingly invited General Gordon, once Governor-General of the Soudan, to proceed to Khartoum, and there act as the British Agent, with general powers to carry out his instructions. General Gordon consented, provided he were allowed to communicate with Sir Evelyn Baring, and not with the Khedive, thus receiving his orders straight from the British Foreign Office. This was agreed to, and on Saturday the General /started, arriving at Cairo on Thursday, the 23rd. It had been his intention to go straight to Snakim ; but it is stated in telegrams from Cairo that he would receive information at the capital which would induce him to try the route by Korosko. In any case, he will make his way to Khartoum, and there take the general command, and decide whether the city should be defended, or whether )u, garrison and such civilians as we are bound to protect sl id retreat, either northward across the Desert between Be or and Old Dongola, or north-eastward to Snakim. Genera' Jordon is expected to reach Khartoum by February 7th.
