New-York tribune., 1884-02-17
MR.. GLADSTONE'S ESCAPE.
AyICToRy FOR THE GOVERNMENT ALMOST
CERTAIN.

TIE CONSERVATIVES THROWING AWAY GREAT
cu.ycr--rHE PRIME MINISTER'S WONDERFUL
spEEcu-GENERAL GoRDoN's SUCCESS.
lBY CABLE TO TRIBUyE.l
IoNpoN, Feb 16.-The debates on the proposed
vote of censure of the Government opened omi-
nously with the news Of the of the garTi-
son of Sinkat which received in London on
Tuesday and announced in answer to questions in
both Houses of Parliament. In the Lords nearly
all the good speeches were made by the Opposition,
which was exactly contrary to what hap
pened in the Commons. The Marquis of
Salisbury, Lord Cairns and Lord Dunraven
each spoke effectively. Lord Granville replied
in his usual easy diplomatic tone. but
stretched the Governments case TO the breaking
point when he urged that the Ministry could not
insist on having their way in Egypt till Gener-
al Hickss defeat had proved the mathematical i'm
possibility of retaining the Soudan. Sir Stafford
Northcote in the Commons was never more feeble
and himsy, nor has any Tory speaker III that
House stated the case against the Government for
cibly, or sketched alternative policy. The Min
istry have in fact gained more from their opponents
weakness than from their own strength. Their
whips estimate that the majority for the Govern
ment will he sixty without the Irish members
whose vote is still uncertain. No party in opposl
tion ever had such a chance as the Tories have
thrown away.
MR. GLADsToNE's SPEECH.
Mr. Gladstone's speech in reply to Sir Stafford
Northcote was a brilliant defence of an inde-
fensble position. The House listened to
it with admiration. The press of all
parties lavishes encomiums on its ingenuity and
effectiveness for debating purposes, and on the
rhetorical spendor of passages equal to anything
that MI Gladstone has previously done. But the
country wanted satisfaction on three points To the
frst-why General Hickss expedition was not for
bidden-Mr. Gladstone cOuld only say: because II
was not then believed that the military movement
would involve any question of vital Importance.
To the second-why Sinkat was not relieved-the
Prime Minister'S answer that the Government was
obliged to consider the official dignity of the Khe-
dive provokes a burst of indignation, England be
ing but i'll content to be told that Tewfk Bey, the
bravest of the Egyptian commanders, was sacri-
susceptbilties. The answer to the third point
retreves the situation. Mr.. Gladstone, reluctantly
obeying the irresistible voice of the cOun-
try, announced Admiral Hewitts assumption
of command at Suakim andengaged the Government
TO dispatch British forces to the relief of TOkar
This answer though cautious in its terms has been
accepted by the country as pledging the Govern
ment to full responsibility in the future for the
course ofevents in Egypt. 1t is this hope for the
future which secures for the present an acqmttal
for past errors-an acQuittal which Mr.. Gladstone
himself felt bound to ask.
MR.. FoRsTER's ATTACK
Nothing but the promise to dispatch troops to
Tokar secured the support of such Liberals as Mr.
Forster, whose powerful speech on Thursday,
thoughit angered mere partisans, undoubtedly ex-
pressed the opinion of the country, as moderate
journals like The Times and the The Manchester
Guardian freely admit Mr.. Forster sternly censured
the past policy of the Government holding that the
first right step was taken when Lord |
Granville turned out Chenf Pacha and his |
Ministry and arguing that from that moment |
the full responsibility has rested them, the |
fate of Sinkat being included He expressly de- |
elared that the Government could have relieved |
sinkat. "HowY" asked Mr.. Morley. "By doing |
two weeks ago what they are doing now," answered |
Mr.. Forster amid tempest of cheers from the
House, echoed in the country.
Mr.. Gladstone's attempt to excuse the delay in |
sending the relief expedition after General Bakers
failure. on the ground of anxiety for General Cor
don's safety or the effect of the movement of Brit
ish troops on General Gordon's pacific mission, ig-
nores the logic of dates If General Gordon was to
he endangered the risk had already been run by |
the Governments allowing General Baker to at |
tempt the relief of Tokar, General Gordon having
left Assouan before General Baker moved from Su-
akin. General Gordon himself repudisted the sug-
gestion in almost contemptuOus language
Sir Charles Dilke's reply to Mr.. Fors-
ter was bitter, clever, evasive and
really able handling of facts that cannot be
argued out of sight. The debate has since passed
into the academica stage aud has ceased to attract
general interest.
sUAKlM AND KHARTOUM.
What the country now watches is the movement
of troops TO Suakim and General Gordons progress
toward Khartoum, General Wolseey the moment
lie received orders having acted with characteristic
energy BY Monday 1t is expected that the whole
force will be in motion. and before the end of a
week five thousand troops will be in Suakm. Re-
ports from Tokar are contradictory, but they ind
cate that the garrison will be able to hold out.
General Gordons arrival at Berber on Monday