Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 May 1885 — FOREIGN. [ARTICLE]

FOREIGN.

At a special meeting of the English Cabinet Council, the other day, It was definitely decided to begin the partial evacuation of the Soudan. For the present, however, amplo forces will be retained at Suakin and Wady-Halfa. A report has reached Dongola that the Mahdi’s forces have suffered defeat atthe hands of the Insurgents at Kordofan, aided by the garrison at Sennaar. The remnantof tho Mahdi’s forces has retreated, it is said, to Abu-Haraz. The Mahdi himself is near Khartoum. This rumor Is “Important if true;’’ but it Is significant that for many months past every announcement of the Mahdi’s discomfiture has been followed by authentic reports of victories which he has achieved. The British Cabinet is reported to be divided on the question of renewing the crimes act in Ireland. Gladstone favors a modified act, and in view of the situation in regard to the matter it is believed that Earl Spencer, the Lord Lieutenant, will resign. The report that the Government favored a wide measure of local government for Ireland and the abolition of the Viceroyaity is said to bo untrue and alleged to have been started by Chamberlain, President of the Board of Trade, and Mr. Parnell for the purpose of learning how such a scheme would be received. The plan for the arbitration of the Russo-English dispute is believed to havo been abandoned, says a London dispatch. At a long session of the British Cabinet the other day it was proposed that if further evidence disproves Sir Peter Lumsden’s charges against the Russians for responsibility for the Penjdeh incident, this evidence shall be accepted as conclusive, and the project of submitting the question to arbitration shall be abandoned.