, 1884-02-15
Question Causes a Long Dis
cussion in Parliament.
The Opinions of Many Men,
beTs Expressed.
An Important Dispatch From
General Gordon.
England and the Egyptian Question.

London, February 14.-The debati
on Nortcott's motion of censure was
resumed in the house of commons to,
day by Sir Wilfrid Lawson, member foI
Carlisle, who moved, as an amend
ment, that the house decline to express
an opinion of the governments policy
concerning Egypt. In proposing thil
amendment, he said he trusted here
after that Englishmen would not b,
employed to interfere with the Egypt.
ians in their selection of a govern
ment.
Labouchere seconded tue amendment
He censured the wings and tories
Whenever the latter were in power, b,
said they advocated war for aggran.
dizement of the empire, and this he
strongly deprecated.
Gladstou e said he was unable to sup.
port Lawson's amendment, because
after challenging the opposition it was
necessary to demand u verdict of the
house.
w. E. Forster said the government
had failed in promptness. The battle
of Tel Ell Kebir had left England prac.
tically mistress of Egypt. Therefore
she was answerable for the events in
Soudan. England might have pre-
vented Egypt from attempting the re-
conquest of Soudsn with unwilling
Egyptian soldiers, many of whom
were in chains. He sharply critized
England for permitting exactions from
Fellaheen to pay gambling bondhol-
ders to demand this indemnity on &C.
count of the destruction of European
property at Alexandria. He also
considered it unjust. He asked II
France would pay for damage done by
communists. Forster declared that II
the British troops had been timely sent
to relieve the baleaguered garrisons, the
massacre would not have occurred. lie
would support the government, how
ever, because it had sen General Cor
dan to Soudan and because it was tax.
LIB "SoohLNo ~ LClAcNC 1OhdI. o6 u6-
preciated the half-hearted policy.
Sir Charles Dixie, president of the
local board Of government thanked
Forster for promising his vote to the
government after such a singular
speech. After refuting Forster's criti-
cisms, Dixie explained the reason why
General Sir Evelyn Wood had not been
sent to Soudau after the disaster to
Hicks Pasha's troops. he said that
General Gordon, after the battle at Tel.
El-Kebir had given advice t. the gov.
eminent concerning the suppression OF
the slave trade, and that his advice had
been adopted. There was every reason
to believe that General Gordon's mis-
sion would be absolute and a triumphal
success.
Sir Charles announced that a tele-
gram had just been received from Geu-
eral Gordon saying ''that the telegraph
lines between Khartouw and Shendie
had been restored and hat he was pro.
ceeding to Khartoum. l believe you
need have no further anxiety about this
part of the Soudan. The people, great
and small, are heartily Glad to be free
from a union which causes them sor.
row."
Continuing, Sir Charles Dixie said
there would be a large English force at
Suakim by Tuesday, and there was
every reason to believe their operations
would be successful. General Gordon
had always been of the opinion that tie
khedive would be powerless to stop the
slave trade. The policy of the govern.
ment was to withdraw Egyptian rule
where it was a curse and to improve IL
where it could, aud that the govern.
ment would maintain the freedom Of
the Red Sea coast. The government
had exceeded, and not fallen short OF
its obligations to Egypt.
Sir Richard Asheton Cross vigorously
attacked the government, when thu
debate adjourned.