Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-21
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Mr. John Morley Spoke in Opposition to the
Proposed Egyptian Expedition-Mr.
Stanley Supported 1t.

London, March 20.-In the house of
commons today Mr.. q. N. Curzon, under
foreign secretary, stated that the Italian
government had communicated to the
British government the information that
there was prospect that the dervishes
would make an attack upon Kassala,
and pointed out the effect which such an
attack would have upon Egypt.
Mr.. John Morley asked If a majority of
the Egyptian debt commission were COM
petent to sanction the proposed expendi-
ture for the Dongola expedition.
Mr.. CurZon said that the commission
controlled two funds. The larger of these
which was derived from a conversion of
the Egyptian debt. required the unan-
imous consent of the powers to author
lie the expenditure of the whole or any
part thereof, but the smaller one, a re-
serve fund amounting to f2,500000, he
said might be disposed of by a majority
of the commission.
During the debate of the estimates Mr..
John Morley amid cheers from the lib
eral benches, moved to- reduce the vote
for the foreign office in order to call at
tention to recent events in Egypt. Mr..
Morley said in reply to q question that
unquestionably his motion sought vote
of censure upon the government and re-
called the circumstances that he himself
had moved a similar vote in 1885 upon the
then liberal government in condemna-
tion of its policy in Egypt.
In the course of his argument Mr.. Nor
ley admitted that the occupation of
Egypt by Great Britain had been pro-
ductive of great benefit and many bless
ings to the people of that country. (Con-
servative cheers) But, he said, the long
continuance of that occupation had been
fraught with great disadvantages to
Great Britain. 1t was an unfortunate
step the government was taking to delay
the evacuation Of Egypt and divert
Egyptian funds from the purpose of
Egyptian development and the appro-
priation of the money to England's pur-
pose protesting cries of ooh. OH" from
the conservative side) The new policy,
he declared, would impose upon Egypt
the duty of governing one of the most
difficult territories on the face of the
earth. The government, Mr.. Morley said,
had not explained their policy and the
ministers had declined to treat the house
with that confidence that the country
had reason to expect on the eve of so
great an undertaking. So hazardous
a proposal, he held could never be justi
fled by reason so meager, fiimsy, ir-
revelant and hollow as the one advanced.
Mr.. MorleyS remarks were received
with prolonged liberal cheers.
MIR. Chamberlain, secretary of state for
the colonial department, said 1t would be
impossible to pass judgment upon the
policy of the government unless the gov
ernment first made up their minds def
nitely in regard to the immediate evac-
uation of Egypt. Nothing in recent his
tory he said, could be looked back to
with more pride and satisfaction than
the peaceful revolution in Egyptian af-
fairs, which had been accomplished with
handful of men and British civil ad-
ministration. If Egypt should be aban-
doned all this would be undone. Egypt
must be defended If her prosperity was
to continue.
The consent of majority of the pow
ers had already been given to England's
plan of meeting the expenses, and the
government had no knowledge leading
them to assume that the consent of the
remaining powers would be finally re-
fused If the result of the British expe-
dition should in measure relieve Egypt
from the constant menace Of attacks by
the Dervishes the expenditures incurred
would be more than compensated for.
1t would be impossible to fulfill Eng
lands duty to the people as long as the
Dervishes were permitted to threaten
peaceful industry by their constant raids.
The defeat of the Italians in Abyssinia
had created a new situation. If Kassala
should fall the i'll effect upon Egypt
would be incalcu1able. The various tribes
of the Soudan were putting aside their in
ternecine disputes and combining in q
great effort against Egypt. The wisest
policy was to anticipate their attack and
prevent the Dervishes from concentrat-
ing against one object. Whatever the
Egyptian advance might ultimately be,
he said, 1t would be limited only by the
nature and extent of the resistance en-
countered and the maintenance of the
security of the communities.
Mr. Henry NJ. Stanley. the explorer.
who represents the north division of
Lambeth in the interest of the liberal
unionists, said that Egypt had right
to reclaim her former frontiers, and that
..~~fk Il l..
The Rt. Hon George N Curzon said
mat the expedition wonid take a strong
ly defensive position at Akasheh. where
It would remain until the hot season,
Continued on Seventh Page.)