St. Paul daily globe., 1896-03-21
GOVERNMENT VICTORY.
Discussion on Nile Expedition Re-
suited in Opposition Defeat.

LONDON, March 20.-The under sec
fetary of state for foreign affairs,
George n. CurZOn, answering a ques-
ton IN the house of commons this aft
ernoon, said that the decision Of the
government to send British-Egyptian
troops to Dongola was considerably in
1uenced by communication from IL
ally, relative to the prospects of q derry
ish attack on Kassala. The house was
occupied for an hour with various
questions put by John Morley, Sir
William Vernon Harcourt and John
Dillon, regarding the expenses of the
Nile expedition. Mr.. Morley, in his re-
marks, pointed out the unfortunate ma
ture of the expedition, by saying that
1t was derOgatiOn of the pledge of
great Britain that she would not as
sumo protectorate over Egypt Mr..
Morley added that the diversion of
the funds for the purposes of England
would necessarily prolong the English
occupation. He asked the government
to furnish the house with full reasons
for the advance, as nothing in his
opinion, showed that the Egyptian
frontier was menaced. In closing, Mr.
Morley moved a reduction of the vote
of the civil service, which was under
discussion.
Joseph Chamberlain, replying for the
government, contended that all the op-
position arguments were tainted with
preconceiVed determination to evacu-
ate Egypt. All authorities, he added,
agreed that the work of Great Britain
in Egypt was not completed, and that
it would be dishonorable to leave Egypt
until it was completed. 1t was felt that
if Kassala fell, the effect would be in
calculable upon Egyptian interests,
and if Italy was again defeated, many
tribe hitherto alienated would rejoin
khalifa's forces, and he might make
a great future effort to destroy Egypt
1t was of paramount Importance to
Egypt that Kassala should not fall
The advance upon Akasheh, Mr.. Cham
berlain explained, might possibly be
extended to Dongola, but it would be
limited by the security of the COM
munications which they could main
tain, and the amount of resistance
which would be met. However, he firm
ly asserted wherever the troops went
they would remain, for Great Britain
was not going to hand back to barbar-
ism whatever territory might be recov-
cred. Conservative cheers.) The pres
ent policy of the government, Mr..
Chamberlain insisted, represented the
immediate needs of Egypt, and they
rWere not going to plunge into policy
Of adventure.
Henry Labouchere declared that MI
Chamberlain had made a dangerous
speech and had ignored the feeling of
France. Egypt, he asserted could not
govern herself, and yet it was proposed
that she should govern the Soudan.
Henry NJ. Stanley, the African ex-
plorer, made a speech in support of the
government in the course of which he
said he hoped the British troops would
push on to Khartoum.
Continuing, the discussion. John Dill
lon criticised the government for not
.infOrming France of it's intentions be-
forehand. Sir Charles Dixie. consid-
cred that the reasons that Mr.. Cham
berlain advanced We're trivial Mr..
CurZon declared nobody would believe
that Egypt was able to stand alone
against derViSh attack THE present
expedition" he concluded, sis INSOFAR
ably connected with the work we are
doing in Egypt and we should perse-
we're in the task until it is accom-
.plished'
Sir William Vernon Harcourt. the
opposition leader. complained that the
house was still ignorant of the aims
and objects of the expedition. and
whether it intended to go to Dongola
and eventually, perhaps to Khartoum.
Arthur Balfour the government leader.
In reply, said that the expedition had no
reference to the occupation of Egypt
The vote was then taken on Mr.. Nor
ley's motion, and it was lost by vote
of 2SS to 145 The result of the division
was received with loud cheers on the
part of the supporters of the govern
ment.