The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-04-26 00:00:00

AFFAIRS IN THE SOUDAN.

Replying to Mr. Bourke, Mr. Gladstone stated that
a telegram had been received from Sir Evelyn Baring
substantially confirming the detailed report of a tele-
gram sent by General Gordon to Sir Samuel Baker.
Shendy was threatened by hostile tribes, and serious
apprehensions were entertained with regard to the
safety of Berber. A telegram from General Gordon
confirmed previous information to the effect that
Khartoum, though hemmed in by hostile tribes,
had abundant supplies, and that there was not the
slightest apprehension of danger. With regard
to the reported summoning of a European
conference as to Egyptian finance, the right hon.
gentleman said that at present he had nothing material
to add to what he had previously stated. Lord E.
Fitzmaurice dded that the report that a portion of the
garrison and some of the civilian population who had
left Sheudy with the view of escaping had been massa-
cred appeared to be true; and in answer to Mr.
Ashmead-Bartlett, he explained that the Foreign Office
had no information with regard to an unciphered tele-
gram having been sent to General Gordon informing
him that no British troops would be sent to his
assistance.

In answei to further questions by Mr. Chaplin and
others, the Prime Minister repeated that so far as the
Government knew the position of General Gordon was
one of security, and in a recent telegram the General
spoke of being as safe at Khartoum for a couple of
months to come as at Cairo. Sir Evelyn Baring was
about to leave Egypt for England, and arrangements
had been made for the transaction of the duties of his
office during his absence.

SUPPLY.

On the motion to go into Supply, Dr. Cameron called
attention to the inconveniences and occasional in-
justices caused by the present system of public prose-
cutions in Scotland, especially complaining that Pro-
curators Fiscal are allowed to act as factors or agents in
the management of landed estates and to practice as
solicitors in the districts over which their commission
extends. He moved a resolution condemning this part
of the system, which was seconded by Sir G. Campbell,
and supported by Mr. Macfarlane, Sir E. Colebrooke,
Mr. Mackintosh, and Mr. Dalrymple.
The Lord Advocate, after some general remarks in
defence of the Scotch system of preliminary inquiries,
expressed the agreement of the Government in the
principle that where it was possible to get the services
of a competent man exclusively for the duties of the
Procurator Fiscal that should be the course pursued.
But he pointed out that, owing to the necessity of
having Procurators Fiscal within easy distance all over
the country, the duties of the officers were not always
sufficient to employ their whole time.
Mr. Dick Peddie regarded the answer of the Lord
Advocate as eminently unsatisfactory, and Mr.M`Lagan
and Mr. Barclay also supported the motion, which on a
division was negatived by 52 to 35.
Mr. Collings complained of the negligence of the
Charity Commissioners in enforcing the operation of
the Allotments Act.

Mr. Mundella, in reply, reminded him that a commit-
tee had been appointed just before the recess to inquire
into the working of the Charity Commission, before
which all cases of hardship might be examined.
Mr. Elton and Mr. Read maintained that the Allot-
ments Act was quite unworkable, and after some further
conversation the House went into Committee on the
Civil Service Estimates.

Several votes were agreed to in Class I. (Public
Works and Buildings), and on the first vote for the
Royal palaces a reduction of £2OOO was moved by Mr.
Rylands, which was ultimately negatived.
On the vote for the Royal parks and pleasure grounds
there arose a long discussion on the item of £2OOO for
the new statue of the Duke of Wellington, which was
warmly opposed by Mr. Rylands, Mr. Labouchere, Mr.
Bentinck, and others, and carried ultimately by fifty-
four to fifty-one. Sir R. Peel thereupon gave notice
that he would revive the question on the report.
Some other business was disposed of, and the House
adjourned at a quarter-past two o'clock.

In the Heinz OF Lonns, April 22, Earl Granville
stated, in reply to the Earl of Carnarven, who severely
criticised the action of the Government with regard to
the garrisons in the Soudan and their abandonment of
General Gordon, that General Gordon had expressed no
desire to be supported by British troops. Her Majesty's
Government acknowledged their responsibility for his
personal safety, but they declined to say more on the
subject at the present moment.
The Marquis of Salisbury expressed his belief that
the country would insist upon some more active demon-
stration of sympathy on the part of the Government
with General Gordon, and declared that if they made
no effort on his behalf they would cover the English
name with disgrace, and destroy confidence in the power
of England.
The Easl of Northbrook explained that it was im •
possible for the Government to state publicly the course
which they might consider it advisable to take, and
after sonic criticisms from Lord Bury, Lord Malmes -
bury, and Lord Galloway, and sonic suggestions from
Lord Waveney, the discussion was brought to a close.
Their brdships rose at five minutes to six o'clock.

GRNERAL GORDON.
In the House oF COMMONS at a morning sitting
numerous inquiries were again made as to the position
of General Gordon, and Mr. Gladstone, pressed tc lay
before the House the precise despatch on which he
founded his belief that General Gordon was quite safe,
said it rested on a series of communications, which
would be contained in the papers to be laid before
Parliament. lie again repeated that to represent
General Gordon as in jeopardy was in contradiction to
all his statements, and when asked whether Gordon bad
not bitterly complained of his abandonment, he referred
Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett to the papers. He had never
asked for the assistance of British troops, except to
suggest that a small body of cavalry should be sent to
Berber.