Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-24
ENGLAND'S PARLIAMENT
DISCUSSING THE CAMPAIGN IN
THE SOUDAN.

LONDON, Feb. 23.-In the House OF
Commons to-day, Sir Henry Tyler gave
notice that he would ask tomorrow what
measures the government had taken to
prevent Herat from being captured by a
coup de main.
THE WAR MINISTER EXPLAINS.
In the House of Commons this evening
the Marquis of Harrington, Secretary of
State for War, in response to inquiries,
stated that in preparing the Nile expedi-
tion under Lord Wolseley, the govern
ment had considered the Suakin- Berber
route lmpracticable. He also said that no
advance upon khartoum was probable
before next autumn, when the railway
from Suakin to Berber would be COM
pleted, rendering that route practicable.
Sir Stafford NorthcOte, in the presence
OF full house, rose and moved that the
humble address of which he gave notice
on Thursday be presented to the Queen,
representing that the course pursued by
the government in regard to Egypt and
the SOudan has involved a great sacrifice
OF valuable lives and heavy expenses
without any beneficial results, rendering
it imperatiYely necessary to the interest
of the British empire and the Egyptian
people that the government should dis
tlnctly recognize the situation and take
decided measures to fulfill its policy.
SIR STAFFORD NORTHCoTE ARRAIGNs
THE GOVERNMENT.
1t is now incumbent upon them to in
sure good and stable. government in
Egypt, and those portions of the Soudan
necessary for its security. Sir Stafford
said he was aware that the making of a
motion involved serious responsibility to
imselt, but he was prepared to assert
that the government had failed to conduct
affairs in Egypt in a manner satisfactory
to the public or beneficial to Egypt. The
government had not taken nor was it now
taking steps to establish a stable govern
ment in Egypt. Twice last year the House
Of Commons, to certain extent,
acquitted the government, but many of
the members felt bound to support the
government, although dissatisfied in their
own minds with the manner in which af-
fairs in Egypt were conducted. He was
led TO believe that satisfactory operations
were being undertaken, but so far his ex-
pectatiOns had been largely, if not en-
tirely, disappointed. The government had
been compelled to change entirely the nail
ltary position assumed last year, having
failed to attain the object desired. The
result Was due not to the particular faults
here and there, but to the general spirit,
wherein the advisers of the crown con-
Quoted matters. Cheers. The speak
er continued: UNLESS complete
and entire change takes place
in the spirit of the Government it Will
still be our lot to fail, whatever we NAV
be called upon to do" While the brave
soldiers were going to Egypt there was a
voice proceeding from the councils OF
Her Majesty, that deprived the expedi-
tlOn OF half its strength, the voice of un-
concerning w h3f "a
ment was trying to attain in Egypt. Sue
cess was impossible unless the govern
ment distinctly laid down what it was
lighting for, and declared q determina-
tion to obtain that object. Minister'S
words hitherto had implied that the
great object was to make the stay of
thet roops in Egypt as short as possible
Nothing was more dangerous to the inter-
ests Of England than such declaration.
Continuing, Sir Stafford said: "Our gal
liant troops occupy a position which is
causing much anxiety. Any talk about
withdrawing as soon as possible Is calcu-
lated TO dlshearten and discourage the
troops and make serious impression
upon the native chiefs, who, like the Mu-
dir of D0ngOla, have been loyal" Sir
Stafford Northcote referred to the gallant
conduct of Gordon and said: "While
we feel proud OF his courage
shame at the mention of his name"
lCheers on the Conservative side.l The
speaker quoted from GOrdon's message of
April Is: "lf troops are not sent it will
leave upon the government the indelIble
disgrace of abandoning the garrisons.
with the certainty of being compelled
eventually to squelch the Mahdi." "Have
not these prophecies come to pass !" asked
the Tory leader. "Are we sure that
of
by the action of the government, which
weakened and almost paralyzed Egypt"
HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF "REsCUE AND RE-
TIRE"
Sir Stafford Northcote, in conclusion,
said: "The country has heard quite
enough of the policy of rescue and retire.
In fact we have been too much slave to
phrases. Hicks Pasha's unhappy expe-
ditiOn should have been prevented or
made more effective. The government
has conducted the whole business with
the fatal drawback of having to proclaim
that its mission was only temporary.
Now some distinct announcement
is demanded, Is the war one
of vengeance or for the purpose of attain
ing some useful ohjectsF "It was" be
said, impossible to retain confidence in
the government with the fear always up
permOst that it would by its after course
destroy by words the effect of what it
was doing. The government must drop
the habit Of evadlng troubles by the
adoption of few smart phrases. owe
are getting daily into deeper water, and
whatever the consequences may be, l feel
compelled to summon the House to pro-
nOunce a verdict in our case the same
as it has done on previous occasions.
with the additional experience of the
value of the MinistrV's promise and the
success of the Ministry's action. 1t is
impossible for any gOvernm ent to COM
mand success when it is dependent on
the support of two sections-One urging
abandonment, the other supporting its
policy of advance. The greatest difficult
ty among many England has to encounter
is in the hearts of Her Majesty's Min
isters."
JOHN MORLEY'S VIEWS.
John Morley, Liberal member for New
Castle-on-Tyne, offered as an amendment
to the motion of censure, a motion in
favor of the evcuatiOn of the Soudan. He
refrained from expressing an opinion,
on the policy of the government
but regretted the decision to
smash the Mahdi. Mr.. Morley
said the Tories were partially blamabie
for the death of Gen. Gordon through
their impOrtuning the government with
questions and preventing compliance
with Gen. GOrdOn's request for the assist
ance of Zebra Pasha. Something might
still be done, he thought, by negotiating
with the Mahdi, but the Soudan must be
left to the SOudanese.
MR.. GLADsTONE's TRIBUTE.
Mr.. Gladstone paid tribute to the de-
vOtion of Gen. Gordon, saying that his
one object in life was to do good to all.
irrespective of race, color or creed. MIR.
Gladstone repeated what Mr.. Morley had
said regarding Zebra Pasha. He denied
that the government had any reason last
year to suppose that Gen. Gordon was in
imminent danger. Gen. Gordon's own
said Mr.. Gladstone, had led
the government to believe that be would
retreat with the garrison southwark, if
possible. The government had not wa
Vered or sWerved hairs breadth from it's
covenant to send Gen. Gordon assist
ance when necessary, and when
possible to do so. He referred to the state
ments of Gen. GOrdOn's ColOnels-that
under no circumstances could relief have
been timely, as FOrag had long ago agreed
to betray KhartOum as soon as the British
arrived.
ENGLAND's MISSION.
Mr.. Gladstone said he fully shared in
the regret for the loss of that gallant
officer, Gen. Gordon, but there was some
comfort in believing that no great effusion
of blood had occurred at Khartoum.
England's mission in the Soudan was the