The sun., 1884-02-24
England Moves Too Late.

There may be something CALLING, but there
should be nothing surprising. to tho cnvablc
authors of England's Soudan policy in the
surrender OF Tokar before the force tartlily
despatched TO Suakim and Trinlitat could
march to its relief. The khcdivc had in his
service but few native officers endowed with
the unllnching courage OF TEwFIK Bcy, and
the British Government, which abandoned
Sinkat to massacre. has only itself to blanc
IL the garrisons and inhabitants OF other be-
lcagucrcd towns put but little trust in Eng
land and snatch at any terms of capitulation
proffcrcd that seem likely to save their lives
detailed report is as yet wanting, but it
appears that the soldiers and residents who
supported the Governor of the place in his
determination to surrender were not harmed
by the rebels. whereas there is reason to fear
that the portion OF the garrison which re-
fused to yield and made Il sortie from the
town, in the hope Of rcaching Trnkitat, has
been surrounded and cut down. 1t is far
more probable that the Egyptian command
crs of Knssala and Dongola, as well as of
every other post not under the immedi-
ate influence of Gen. GORDON, will follow
the example of tho Governor of Tokar than
that they will try to initiate the desperate
resistance offered by TEwrIK Boy But il
Kassala should be occupied by the rcvoltcd
Bcdouins who are acting under the direct
orders of OsMAN DIGMA or in concert with
him, and if Dongoln should be taken by tho
forces under the Immediate control of the
False Prophet how are the garrisons of
khartoum and SEMINAR, whose dcliverancc
was the main object Of Gen. GORDoN's mis-
sion, to be withdrawn in safety?
We infer from the invitation said to havo
been forwarded from khartoum to OSNAS
DIGMA (but which Admiral HEwETT has not
unnaturaly shruak from prcsenting), that
Gen. GORDON recognizes the logic of the
situation created by his respectful rccog-
milton Of Ell MAHDI, and designs to follow
up that strange performance by procaiming
the successful rebel in the eastern Soudan
Sultan of Sinknt, Tokar. and such other
stronghOldS as the conqucror OF BAKER
Pasha may signify wish for. From
GoRDoN's point of view, indeed, it is
evident that tho presence OF the Britt
ish force lately collected at Suakim
is quite superfluous. except for the modest
purpose OF retaining II harbor which may
prove of some convenience to British trade
in tho Red Sea. His own programme, ac-
cordinS to the pleasing assurances tclc-
graphcd to the British taxpayers, is to pacify
tho Soudan without firing shot, and tho
process recommended is to disburso with
judgment moderate sum in sterling money,
to bcstow tho official sanction OF the British
nation on tho traffic in slaves, and TO pro-
ritiatc by handsome slices of terri
tory and titles of distinction Ell NAH
d. OSMAN pIGMA, and every other
rebel who can reasonably claim to have slain
British officer. His theory is, apparently,
that through measures of such matchless
gcntlcncss and magnanimity species OF
millennium will presently dawn in tho
Soudan,;whcroin the Bedouin lion and tho
Egyptian lamb will lie down together, and
the rescued garrison of Khartoum shall
pursue unmolested the road to Cairo under
safe conduct from It's soft-hcartcd enemies,
and, perhaps, provided by them with what
humanitarian statesmen might complaccntly
describe ns guard of honor.
1t would probably be we'll for tho readers of
the idyllic dispatches rcciting the proceed
ings of Gen. GORDoN at Khartoum. to reserve
their judgment till the outcome OF his extra
ordinary operations Is made known: until, in
other words, the scope and purport OF his
proclamations, concessions. and disbursc-
mcnts arc made tho subject of rigorous in
quiry in the House OF Commons.