St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-21
GORDON'S MISSION.
RoIc His PIans We're Ihscarted By HIS
Government.

HOIo His PiGas Here IhscaPted By HIS
Government.
The first proposal that an English officer
should be dispatched to superintend the
evacuation of the Snudan was made by
Sir Evelyn Barring, in December, 1888. At
that time Gen. Gordon was about to leave
London for the Congo. Public opinion,
however, demanded that Gordon. whose
splendid services in the Soudan, though I'M
rewarded by his government, had not been
forgotten by bis countrymen, should be dis
patched to the scene OF his former triumph.
On January le the Egyptian governme
asked that well-qualiied British officer be
sent to khartoum, armed with full powers,
and two days afterward General Gordon de-
parted for Cairo.
The Khediye's fireman appointed General
| Gordon encouragement of the Soudan.
Tue Knediye directed him to evacuate the
Soudan, 10 withdraw tie civil and military
/ authorities, as well as ali the troops. and
such Of the inhabitants as might wish to re-
turn to Egypt. Gen. G0rdon's plan was 10
restore the country to the heirs # the Sultan
who fourished at the time of Mehemet Alrs
conquest; to leave it optional to these prin-
premacy of the Mahdi or not; and to carry
out this program with Avoidance, if possible
of all lighting. According to an estimate of
the Soudan committee, there were in the
! Sudan 10000 Egyptians and 5000 Egyp-
tian houses doing a business with Egypt
amounting 10 $40, 900, 900 a year.
General Gordon rode on camel across the
desert to Abu Hamed. From that place he
first communicated to the government his
intention OF using the threat of an invasion
of Turkish troops to induce the SOudanese to
submit to his plans. He thought that the
mere mention OF the Padishah's army would
cause a collapse Of all fanatical feeling. Gen
eral Gordon arrived at Khartoum on Febru-
airy IS. He Immediately proposed that
Zrbehr Pacha should be made goVernor-gen-
eral Of the Soudan. This proposal was
viewed unfavorably by the British govern
ment. Gordon insisted that Zebehr was the
only man to carry out the program, and in
formed his government that if he were not
appointed, pacific solution Of the question
would be impossible. But the Anti-Savery
society objected 10 Zebehr on account of his
record as a great slave dealer. And the Brit
ish govern mcnt was q raid Of the Ants avery
society aud would not sanction ais appoint
ment. This proved fatal to Gurdon's plans
The Mahdi, seeing that Gordon was taking
no active measures, made hostile demonstIa-
lions. General Gordon then tciegranhed
that be could not eyacuate the Soudan with
out small force OF British troops. He
asked Only for 100 men, and if that very
modest demand had been granted, General |
Gordon would in all probability have fulfilled |
his mission.
But the British government which had re- |
en- q Co.
a cheftain who, according TO the best author |
ities, is fifty times the Mahdrs match-were |
so ill-adyiscd as to decline to send him |
troops, though their moral effect would have |
been great On March l Gordon began to |
feel that his chances Of success were dimin- |
ishlng rapidly He sent 4 dispatch asking |
why Wood and his forces were not utilized |
10 move on to DOngOla, and thence to Ber- !
Der. At last, in disgust ut the inactivity Of /
his government, he offered 10 resign his |
commission. His manly dispatches were /
met with the reply that the government were |
not prepared 10 send troops 10 the Soudan. |
The reason for this was based on the absurd !
misconccption that the employment Of Brit |
ish troops To aid in the evacuation would be /
equivalent TO their employment for the re-
conquest OF the Soudan for Egypt
The last messages which passed between |
Gordon and the government were character |
islic. These showed the incapacity Of the |
government and the bravery and determine |
ton OF the general. Gordon refused 10 leave |
Khartoum in a state Of anarchy, to fail a |
prey 10 the Mahdi, announced his intention |
Of never being taken alive, and told the gov |
eminent that they would eventually have TO
smash up the Mahdi at the cost OF much |
money aud many men.
Deserted by the English and beleagured by |
the Madhi's troops, General Gordon held his /
own for nearly twelve months. He fought |
several battles and inflicted much loss on |
the enemy. Every one OF his predictions
has come true There Is little doubt that Il
he had been allowed to appoint Zrbchr gov
ernor he would have evacuated the Soudau,
assured the Mahdi's destruction, and created
in the Soudan a strong government friendly
10 Egvpt.-EXchange.