NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE Times correspondent at Khartoum telegraphed on March 16th that General Gordon's attack on the insurgent Sheikhs had been defeated, partly by the cowardice of the Egyptian soldiers, who broke without fighting, and partly by the treachery of two Pashas, who rode into the square and cut down their own gunners. They were tried by court-martial and shot, by General Gordon's order. The Mahdi has, moreover, rejected the Sultanship of Kordofan, and sent to General Gordon a Dervish's robe, with an order to turn Mahommedan. The General is, therefore, standing on the defensive ; but in his last letters he hoped, when the Nile rises, to give a good account of his enemies, the steamers then aiding his efforts. Steamers axe excellent places for Egyptian troops, as they can- not run away. The Times correspondent, Mr. Power, affirms constantly that General Gordon is expecting a British army; but the Government declares that he has expressed no such expectation, and that it was well understood when he went out -that he must depend upon his own resources. They deeline to send a small force of cavalry from Berber, as the physical diffi- culties would be too great; but hint that should it be needful, when the season is better, material means may be employed to aid General Gordon to carry out the plan he may finally pro- pose. There is no present appearance that Khartoum, which, it must not be forgotten, lies under fire from the Nile steamers, will be taken by the besiegers.
