Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-21
EGYPTIAN POLICY
Sharply Criticised in the Eng
|ish House Of Commons.
Morley and Labouchere Attack Minis
ters' Course Amid Liberal Cheers.
Colonial Secretary Chamberlain Does His Best
Toward Justification.

London, March 20.--Durlng the debate
of estimates in the Commons, today, John
Morley, amid cheers from the Liberal
benches, moved to reduce the vote for the
foreign office to call attention to the recent
events in Egypt. Mr.. Morley said, in
reply to IL question, that unquestionably
his motion sought vote Of censure upon
the government, and he recalled the cir
cumstance that he himself moved a
similar vote in 1895 upon the then'Iiberal
/ government In condemnation 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 productive Of
much benefit and man blessings to the
people Of that country. conservative
cheers) But, he said, the long confirm
ance of that occupation was fraught with
great disadvantages TO Great Britain. II
was an unfortunate step that the govern.
ment was taking TO delay the evacuation
Of Egypt and divert Egyptian funds from
the purposes Of Egyptian development and
the application Of money to England g
own purpose. protesting cries of ''Oh,
| Oh. from the Conservative Lenches)
The new policy he declared would i'm
| pose upon Egypt the duty Of goyernin z
me 81 the most difficult territories on the
face Of the earth, The government. MIR.
! Morley said. had not explained its policy,
and the ministers declined 10 treat the
! House with that confidence the country
had reason 70 expect OH the eve Of so great
an undertaking. So hazsrdous proposal,
he said could never be justified by a rea
son SO ncagre, ilunsy. irrelevant and hol-
low Is the one advanced. Morley r.
marks were received with prolonged
Liberal cheers.
! Mr.. Chamberlain, secretary Of state for
the colonial department, said il would be
| Impossible for the Opposition to pass Judg
/ inent upon the policy Of the governments.
unless the government first made up its
mind definitely In regard to the immedi
ate evacuation Of Egypt Nothing in
recent history, he said, could be looked
back to with more pride and satisfaction
, than the peaceful revolution in Egyptian
affairs accomplished with Il handful Of
men and British civil administration.
If Egypt should be abandoned, all this
would be undone.
Egypt must be defended II her prosperity
is tn continue, the consent Of a majority
of the powers had already been given 10
England 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
refused.
II the result of the British expedition
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 fulfil England
duty to the people SO long as the Dervishes
were permitted TO threaten the peaceful
industry by their constant raids.
The defeat Of the Italians in Abys
sinia created a new situation. If Kas
sails should fall. the ul effect upon
Egypt would be incalculable The
various tribes OF the Soudan We're put
ting aside internecine disputes and
combining in a great effort against
Egypt. The Wisest policy was TO an
ticipate their attack ana prevent 'teI
Dervishes from concentrating against
one object Whatever the Egyptia
advance might ultimately he, he sail
il would only be limited by nature ana
the extent Of resistance encountered
and the maintenance Of the security
Of communities.
Henry Labouchere said the govern
ment should wait before taking acton
until Egypt is attacked by the Der
Vihse. The reluctance on the part ot
the ministers to disclose their plans
he declared. concealed a large scheme
} Mr. Labouchcre predicted that the eA-
pedition. unless checked by disaste3
would so To DongOla, Khartoum audI
Darfur
! Henry NJ Stanley. the explorer
liberal CnionisD, asserted that
j Egypt had the right 10 reclaim ae.
former frontiers and the opportunit.
Ia do SO had come. The total defeat of
the Aiahdists. Stanley declared, must
precede the independence OF Egypt.
Mr.. Curzon said the expedition would
take a defensive position at Akasheh, IN
til the hot season, when. if thought desir-
able, it would proceed to Dongola The
government possessed proofs that there
was general ferment among the Der
wishes and they were threatening Kassala
ard the Mic valley
Sir William Vernon Harcourt said the
government was entering upon a long.
dangerous and uncertain enterprise BE
believed it would be condemned by the
people.
Mr.. Balf0ur said there was nothing n
the expedition to excite suspicion or alarm
in France The position of Egypt could
not be satisfactory until that country had
regained control of large part of tie
Soudan
A vote was taken on Morley's motion
and it was defeated, 2SS to 10.
MAJORITY FOR PROTECTION.