New-York tribune., 1885-02-07
Mr. GL1DSTONE,S FAILURE.


Gordon across the KoroscO desert was repre-
sented as bearing the fortunes OF the English
Ministry. The Egyptian garrisons had been
abandoned to their fate public opinion was III
revolt against this heartless policy; ana the
Ministry, forced to do something and unwilling
to send an army to enforce an impracicable
scheme of evacuation, dispatched one man with
Il single staff officer to the relief of khartoum.
From his triumphal entry IN the capital OF the
Soudan he appealed powerfully to the imagi-
nations of Englishmen.
His austere virtues, his Cromwellian habits, his
marvellous career and his singular personality
combined to make him National hero The
Government was compelled to send an army TO
rescue him. Public sentiment would not con-
sent to have him abandoned as the Egyptian
garrisons had been. But. rs at Tokar and at
Sinkat, the army arrived at Metemneh too late
to be of any service. The personal representa-
tive of the Ministry has either Derished i'll bat
tie or is a prisoner in the MahdIs camp. HIS
fate can scarcely fail to have a determining in
fluence upon the political fortunes of the Gov
ernment which placed him in post of extreme
peril. refused to be guided by bis advice, aban-
doned him as long as 1t dared, and Ill the end
did not succeed in rescuing him.
1t would be premature TO assume that the
Gladstone Ministry will be overthrown as sOOn
os Parliament meets The magnitude OF the
present crisis is recognized in England Great
confusion would be caused by change OF
administration and general election, and
profoundly moved as the constituencies M
doubtedly are, in Parliament patriotism will
rise above partisan feeling. The Commons
l,,I he. af,t
heavily reinforcing the amy in Egypt and
vigorously carrying into effect any recon-
mepdations that General Wol>clcy may
make. These measures will command the
| support of both of the great parties
and the Tories, if they are wise, will allow the
| Liberals to shoulder the responsibility 0f add
| ing three pence to the income tax To meet the
| additional outlay required for military opera
| tions i'm the Scudan. The constitutional term
of the present Parliament has nearly run ont
| and general election cannot probably be
deferred beyond the autumn. The compromise
effected regarding the Redistribution bill both
narties are anxious to carry into effect before
an appeal is made to the country. 1t Is not I'M
probable therefore, that the Ministry will be
allowed to remain in Office and to bring the
campaign in the Soudan to close But even
if they are spared the humiliation Of a
vote of censure, their prestige has been
lrretrievably lost. Mr.. GladstOnes admins
tration is destined to become historic FOR itG
failures and disasters as well as for its crown
ing successes and he can hardly hope TO regain
his ascendancy as a leader of English opinion
In this respect General GOrdon's fate may
have far-reaching results. 1t marks the col
,icfrn 10, nf IA nfo ~
abroad that was designed TO be pacific in its
tendencies and 10 limit the burdensand rcspOn-
sibilities of Empire. Mr., Gladstone has at
tempted TO make a stand against an aggressive
foreign policy, and he has been unable 10 com
bat the destiny the Englishp people. In Egypt
he has multiplied the responsibilities of the
Crown IN the Soudan be has asfought campaigns
rs unavoidable as Lord Beaconsfeld's Invasion
of Afghanistan and in South Africa III Au-
straiasia and in Europe he has materially weak
eped the influence OF English diplomacy. No
statesman was ever more reluctant TO enter
mon campaigns abroad or 10 assume new re-
sponsibilties Of Empire. His indccisiOn,
vacillation. delay and spasmodic bursts of
belated energy have been distinctly traceablc
to his lack of sympathy with a strong and
aggressive policy abroad. Yet great as his
personal influence has been, he has been pow
erless to resist the pressure Of pub
lie opinion. He has been carried along
against his will from one blunder to
another, until Khartoum has fallen.
This final disaster marks the utter failure Of
pacific policy that was intended as reaction
against the dangers and extravaganza of I'M
perialism.
This is the most important consequence of
the fall of KhartOum. The next administra-
tion in England whether Liberal or Tory, will
not attempt to evade the responsibilities OF
conquest or to limit the burdens of Empire.
Where Mr.. Gladstone has failed no other Prime
Minister in this generation can reasonably hope
to succeed. IL the. immediate future of the
country is to be shaped either by the Tory