New-York tribune., 1884-03-23
ENGLAND AND THE NILE.
WAR RuMoRs AND OBSTRUCTION TACTICS
GENERAL GORDON FIGHTING WITH THE NATIVES
THE TORIES SEEKING TO BLOCK BUSINESS AND
FORCE THE MINISTRY TO DISSOLVE PARLA-
MFNT.

TO THE TRIBUNfl
IoSpoy. March 22.-The first important news
from Egypt of the week appears to-day in dis
patch TO The Times from Khartoum showing that
General Gordon is engaged in active and successful
hostllities with the natives, and was intending TO
attack the main body six thousand strong, last
Sunday The Torres harassed the Ministry during
the ull with questions about Admiral Hewetts pro-
ceedings some of them showing a curious soheltude
regarding Osman Digma. The Ministers were too
quick for them in the matter of Admiral Hewetts
proclamation, having informed him mmedla'eiy
that it met with their disapproval. The reports III
regard to the fight of Osman Digma sneed confirm
alton Nobody knows whether General Graham
will he allowed to advance Precious time has been
wasted in waiting for General GOrdOn's opinion
The Radicals have improved the occasion by attack
ing Colonel Burnaby for preferrng to shoot Arabs
rather than TO be shot by them. The country seems
about equally divided between impotence with OBJ
struction in the House and impatience with conth-
uing inactIon and uncertainty in Egypt. MI Nlh-
cent the acting Minister of Finance for Egypt, is
reported as insisting that a loan of six millions
sterling 1870 ,OOO, ,OOO Will be wanted to restore
Egyptian finances.
RUMoRs OF THE WEEK.
The week began with rumors of Mr.. Gladstones
resignation varied by equally baseless stories OF an
immediate dissolution of Parliament. Both stories
were believed on Monday at the Stock Exchange
and were telegraphed all over the country Both
were pure guesswork. The scandalous proceedings
last Saturday in the House of Commons made men
credulous about anything. The Liberals generally
accept as accurate Sir William Harcourts descrip-
ton of what then took place as dirty trick" nor
will Mr. Labouchere and his Radical associates soon
he forgiven foI concoctng and supporting scheme
by which the Ministry were nearly defeated
Lord Randolph Churchill was Mr.. Labouchere's
confederate, and sundry Radicals were his tools
Respectable Tories joined with them IN violating
clear agreement that Saturday should be devoted to
supply. The Parnelites lent ready help, and upon
the defeat of Mr.. LabOuchere's resolution settled
down to old-fashioned obstruction till o'clock
Sunday morning This excellent beginning was
steadily followed up during the week. The Minis
tiers barely succeeded in getting votes for money to
carry on the Government from day to day.
PARLIAMENTARY EPISODES.
Several interesting debates have occurred Mr..
Dobson, on Tuesday, on behalf Of the Ministry
definitely threw over the DIXIE of Richmond's
amendment to the Cattle Disease BILL which finally
passed the second reading yesterday in its original
form.
Mr. Broadhursts bill compelling landlords to
sell to householders though admittedly unwork-
nble received large vote on Wednesday as protest
against the tyranny of London landlords
Yesterday proved a field day for the Bishops, who
tucceeded in defeating in the House of Lords
sensible resolution for opening the museums on
Sunday afternoons, which without their hostile
votes would have passed. The same evening the
Commons came within eleven votes of passing reso-
luton approving the abolition of episcopal legsla
tive power 1t was only defeated because the Gov
ernment opposed 1t, and because the Government
whips were telers for the noes. Only nine Liberals
outside the Government opposed the resolution and
I2s supported it. All members OF the Government
but four left the House. Sin Richard Cross sent the
House into roars by after-dinner speech. Sir
William Harcourt immortalized himself by declar-
ing that the principles of the Reformation could
only be de feuded by state Church.
THE NlNISTIYs INTENTIONS.
The second reading Of the Reform Bill was Tost-
poned from Thursday but is expected to be moved
on Monday by the Marquis OF harrington whose
leadership of the House in the absence Of Mr. Glad
stone has been firm and iadicious. Ii is perfectly
understood that ,he Tories intend TO pursue that
policy OF Indirect opposition when Mr. Gladstone
before the session opened declared would be most
dangerous. Sir William HarcOurt's plump assertion
IL The House q isterday that the Government are
unable to pass any bin whatever reinforced Sir,
Charles Dilkes electioneering speech of last Satur
day, plainly indicating the intention Of the Minis
try, if forced to dissolve appeal t. the country
against obstruction. Tory journals like The Stand
ard admit that they cannot Justify all their own
.lrty do to stop legislation, yet echo the demand
for a dissolution, which is now the avowed purpose
oi obstruction
TIE PREMIERs HEALTH.
Nh Gladstones illness, which originally was only
Slight cold was developed, partly through neglect
and partly through worry, into serious affection of
the larynx, involving nearly total loss of
voice. lie continued transacting business by writ
ing. till under his physicians advice he left town
for Coombe-W Warren. Since then he has 1en-
quished nearly everything The accounts published
OF his health indicate that there has been little or no
improvement Private reports admit that it will be
impossible for him to be present i'll the House OF
Commons next week to take charge of the Reform
Bill, and that project for journey to the South
OF France is seriously considered by the family.
His colleagues opposed to it, unless it is impcra-
tive recoecting that his last absence nearly end