EUROPEAN NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 47, 24 January 1884, Page 2

EUROPEAN NEWS.

' (AGB SPEOXAIS.) (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION) , " (Per Wairarapa, at tne Bluff.) ' London, January 9. A brother in-la-w of El Mahdi, the False Prophet of the Soudan, has been captured by Egyptian troops. He states that FA Mahdi will not oppose the Turkish Government if they take supreme control over the Soudan, but both he and his followers are determined to expel all foreigners from Central Africa. Arrangements have been made by the Agent General for an interview on Fiiday with the Secretary of State for War. During ~tl:e interview the Agents-General will endeavour to enlist Mr Childera' co-operation m the annexation movement, and m the effoit which is being made to. seen re an increase m the number of war ships on the Australian station. The report that a treaty of peace had been concluded between France and Madagascar, by which the former secured possession of the northern portion of the island, w not confirmed, and is now regarded as very doubtful. Jwnuary 13. Fears are entertained that the revolutionary forces of El Mahdi, the False Prophet, will overtake : and massacre the fugitives from Khartoum. The evucation of Khartoum by the Egyptian troops is proceeding. The projected commercial treaty between Spain and Great Britain, which the Spanish Council of Ministers refused to ratify, has been submitted to the Cortes and favourably received. Earl Granville, Secretary of State for the Foreign department, has approved of the agreement entered into between the British ship pw ners and M. De I.esßeps, as representative of "the Suez Canal Company.