The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-02-28 00:00:00

THE VOTE OF CENSI7I2E.

the HOUSE OF COMMONS Sir S. Northcote moved
the Vote of Censure on the policy of the Ministry in
relation to Egypt and the Soudan. He said he wanted
to get from the Government some clear definition of
what they were going to do. The case which he laid
before the House was substantially the same as that
which was presented last year, with the additional ex-
perience of the value of Ministerial promises and the
success of Ministerial actions; and although he doubted
whether it was in the power of the Government to
restore the confidence of the people, he held that it was
the duty of the House to demand clear explanations,
and to satify itself that the policy which might be
adopted would be really carried out.
Mr. J. Morley moved as an amendment, that, while
refraining from expressing an opinion on the Minis-
terial policy, the House regretted the decision of the
Government to employ the forces of the Crown for the
overthrow of the power of the Mandi. He argued that
in any case it would be a waste of the national strength,
unredeemed by any good object, either to the
Sudanese or ourselves. He objected to destroying the
Mandi's power on the ground that it had never been
proved that this was essential, and that even if proved
to be essential, it had not been shown that the destruc-
tion of his power in Khartoum would ensure the end
in view.

Mr. Gladstone, while regretting the expenditure of
much blood and treasure, contended that there had
been beneficial results from that policy. They had
gone to the Soudan to secure the safety of Egypt. and
in every step taken they felt that they had no alterna-
tive. The slave trade had been materially checked,
and the war, which might have been largely extended,
had been limited to and kept away from the Egyptian
borders. With regard to the financial question, all dif-
ficulties had been overcome, and with the cordial
co-operation of the French Government the ques•
tion had been brought to a state of maturity.
That the subject of the Government policy in
Egypt was revived now was due, in fact, not
to anything that Ministers had done, but to the
great calamity which had occurred at Khartoum.
But even if there had been military delay, which there
had not, it would have had no effect on the fall of
Khartoum, owing to the certainty that treachery had
long been decided upon, and that it was determined to
betray Gordon whenever the British forces were ap-
proaching for his reliet. That part of the Resolution
which related to the establishment of a good and stable
Government was open to the reproach of indefiniteness
unless it meant a British Government over aliens, a.
Christian Government over Mahometans, and the main-
tenance of our gallant army in a tropical climate;
and to these things the Government could give
no pledge. In the teeth of common prudence,
of every reasonable calculation, and of all the forces of
Nature against us, we might as well speak of chaining
the sands of the desert when the tempest was howling
over them. The right hon. g3ntleman also spoke in
opposition to Mr. Morley's amendment, and in conclud-
ing a speech of an hour and twenty minutes, observed
that the present crisis was a serious one, in which it
would not be advantageous to present to the world hothing
but a disparaged Government and a doubtful House of
Commons. If the House was prepared to condemn
what had been done, by all means let it condemn; but
at the same time iet it eschew such entangling eagage-
ments as were embodied in Sir S. Northcote's resolu•
tion.

The debate was continued for some time, &Ad was
adjourned on the motion of Mr. Gosehen.

SOLDIERS AND THEIR EQUIPMENTS.

In the HOUSE OF LORDS, on Tuesday, Lord Morley,
replying to Lord Longford, stated that it was not true
that the 20th Hussars had left Aldershot for the seat
of war without being properly equipped. Their equip-
ment was placed on board the steamer in which they
were to embark from Portsmouth.