The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-17
ENGLAND and Egypt.

Just at present the lot OF Mr.. GLAD
STONE is not n happy one. While he is
confronted In the Egyptian or the Soudan
question with problem than which none
graver has arisen during his administra-
ton, the House OF Lords is prodding him
on one side, the continental press is goad.
ing him on the other, and the American
press has opened fire in the rear. He Is
reaping the reward Of official position;
Is fair game for everybody, and the scape-
goat for everybody's sins. The Marquis
OF SalIsbury's resolution that in the opin-
ion Of the House OF Lords the lamentable
events In the Soudan were largely due
20 the vacilating policy OF the Govern
ment was adopted by large majority;
the continental critics are holding England
up to the gaze Of the world rs a canting
and hyprocrtical nation, and some OF the
American papers, with their usual "pre-
viousness," are predicting an immediate
dissolution Of the present Cabinet. This
prediction is based upon the vote on
the SALISBURY resolution, which. says one
OF our northern contemporaries, "was
rather pointed hint to Mr.. GLADSTONE that
his services could he dispensed with; aud
should the Commons take the same view
Of the matter, he can do nothing but re-
sign"
Although II Is possible that the Egyptian
ENHANCEMENT may result In Mr.. GLAD
stones resignation, there Is certainly
nothing In the situation now to render
such an event compulsory. The vote on
Lord SALIsDuRY's resolution was q vote Of
cepsure, and while similar vote by the
Commons might have more significance,
IL IL a vote Of want Of confidence, or the
rejection OF an important ministerial mea-
sure by the latter body, that necessitates
the resignation OF the ministry, or the re-
sponsibility Of dissolution OF Parliament
and an appeal 10 the people IN new cleo
ton.
In the House Of Commons few nights
sgo Mr.. GLADsroSE, in his own defence,
said very truly that the unpleasant compli-
cations Of the Egyptian question had been
left to him az legacy by his predecessor,
When he came into power the Tory policy
had forced the Khedive to bleed his
subjects 10 pay English bondholders, and
English interests in Egypt had become Sc
great that he was compelled to sustain the
Khedive In the pacification Of the country.
This accomplished, the policy of the Gov
eminent, then seemingly justified by the
demands OF large element at home and
the relations OF the Government TO foreign
Powers, was 10 cut as soon as possible the
bonds that bound England to Egypt. But
cable dispatches inform us that all Eng
land is tIngling," and that public meetings
are being held denouneiug the Government
poliey--in short, that there has been a
change In public sentiment. In this view,
therefore, and considering that the Soudan
trouble is subsequent phase Of the-ques-
fioR, the ssvote Of censure" IN the House
OF Lords appears to have been an effort to
force the ministry, or, Ia one sense. to jus.
tify IL Ia taking more active measures.
That IL cannot be construed into q want
Of confidence, aud that It has no broader
Significance us affecting Mr. GLADsTosE's
premiership Is proved by the fact that the
debate Ia the House Of Commons Friday
evening on the motion to condemn the Gov
erpmenps policy was very tame, and that
rf was adjourned.
And more vigorous measures ARE on
foot. II u true that Chinese GoRDox's
mission Is seni-peaceful one, and
that British gold is to be depended
upon principally as means Of pnci-
but Il u equally true that Il