New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-22
NOT A PLAGUE OF DARKNESS FOR
BRITISH LEGISLATORS.
1T BRINGS OUT THE FIRST REAL DEBATE OF rHs
. SESSION IN THE CoMMoNs-THE cENsURE OF
MR. BAYARD-RoLLER-s SKATE REcEP-
rroNs THE LATEST FAsHIoN-DR.
pvORAK AT THE PHILHAR-
MoNIc-MR BALFoURs b.
CYCLE ACCIDENT.
rBY CABLE TO THE rRrBUNE.l


nolicee Mr. CurZon seems to have BORROWED
from Mr. Chamberlain the idea of a glass house
exposed to public view. He answers queS-
tions without hesitation and even reads as
patches from Lord Cromer the contents OF WHICH
Lord Salisbury declines to reveal Wnether 'ne
advance toward Dongola be diversion III oehan
of the italian garrison at Kassala or defensive
measure against the descent or the Derv'e"e'
unon Lower Egypt. 1t has already served two
purposes: 1t has silenced all talk on tne oo"''.
nent about an immediate English withdrawal
from Egypt, and 1t has sounded pubic opih'o"
respecting the reconquest OF the Soudan.
While the Interior purposes or the Eo'erh"e"s
are not disclosed. it is assumed by the press OF
all shades of opinion that Lord Cromer, VINO was
responsible for the evacuation Of the soudan, now
rtrceives his mistake and desires to rectify II oy
a complete reversal Of policy which began with
a massacre and ended in the relapse OF the up
ner Nile countries into barbarism. The Ministers
cortent themselves with discussing the facts IN
rlain sight and leaving the future OF the Souoan
n taks care of itself They assert that the ex-
nedition Is ordered to go only third OF the way
to Dongola. and justify the display OF force on
the ground Of the activity of the Dervishes ana
the dangers OF the Italian position; but every
one knows that Wady Halfa Is more scientinc
frontier than Dongola and that the advance OK
the Egyptian troops will be regarded py the
Dervishes as the first step toward khartoum-
Dongola Is the richest province OF the upper MIG
1t is the granery from which the Dervishes ara"
their food supplies. They are not likely 10 ADAM
don it without a hard ight. and the question !"
arxiously discussed in military circles wnether
the Egyptian troops which were panic-stricken
under Hicks Pacha and Baker Pacha, can no" DO
trusted. The Soudanese in the Egyptian service
are good soldiers. but the bulk OF the expeoi-
tionary force will be made up OF troops naturally
timorous and unsteady. Military critics unite In
warning the Government that the supporting
column Of British regulars must be strong one.
The employment Of the smaller of the two re-
serve funds of the Egyptiar- debt Is areaoy sans-
toned by a majority OF the Six Powers forming
tie "Caisse" France protests. and Russia VIII
probably toin her Unanimous consent would
have been requisite If the money lad been askea
as a direct gift but majority can authorize the
temporary use Of portion OF the reserve. money
will be borrowed under guarantees Of repayment
with interest charges. Russia and France are
powerless to prevent this temporary act OF hran-
c,a, accommodation. Besides, even in Paris there
is a struggle between lust Of dividends and love
Of resentment and Jealousy. The bondholders
there are satisfied with the results OF the English
financial administration CT Egypt, and are
strongly disposed to second any proposals from
London In Berlin. Vienna. Rome and st. Peters-
burg bankers are the side OF the English Gov
ernment. and their influence Is decisive whenever
diplomats questions are raised.
The French Government. meanwhile. have
score to settle with the Deputies. Although NJ.
Berthelot probably did not mean TO have his pro-
test against the employment OF the reserve luna
taken literally he will have to convince hostile
Chamber that ne has done everything possible 10
uphold the dignity Of the nation. The position OK
the Bourgeois Government is insecure Its down.
fall on foreign question would enaoie the OPP
ponents Of the income taxation 10 defeat policy
unpopular with the rich and middle classes with
out challenging the Premier to bring on general
election with a definite Radical programme
The Soudan question has produced the first real
debate in the English Commons in the present
session The Opposition hitherto has wisely re-
Trained from forcing divisions on minor questions
and revealing the weakness OF the minority. The
march to Dongola involved the reversal OF the
Soudan policy OF the Gladstone Government and
&C uld not pass without challenge. Mr.. Morley.
as the most loyal supporter OF Mr. Gladstone.
virtually moved vote OF censure. making
vigorous protest against a policy which might
involve the reconquest Of the Soudan. Mr.. Cham
berlan replied in speech with splendid debat.
ing power. which fairly set the Unionists afiame
with enthusiasm While 1t was no logical
answer to Mr.. Morey's argument. which eX-
cluded the question Of the evacuation OF Egypt,
il was a speech luminous with common sense and
appealed strongly 10 English pride. Certainly
whatever may be said of the original invasion
and the pledges given for their ultimate retire.
ment the English have done their work we'll IN
Egypt Mr. Chamberlain was justified in glory
ing over the reformed administration Of that
country a triumph Of English gerius bringing
order out Of chaos Mr.. Labouchere was hardly
fair In charging Mr.. Chamberlain with defying
Europe but logical and effective In forecast
ing an advance from Dongola to Khartoum and
the sources Of the Nile. Mr.. Stanley favored the
reconquest of the Soudan on the singular ground
that 1t would lead % The independence OF Egypt
through a complete overthrow Of the Mahd!st
power; nor was this bad argument. since the
Egyptians If able to subjugate the Mahdsts.
VIC uld vindioata their right to govern themselves
Mr.. Curzon was followed by Sir William Har-
court who made dexterous use Of weak point
In the Colonial Secretary's speech, namely, that
the distance traversed by the expedition would
depend upon the resistance met That was not q
happy way OF stating the case, and Sir william
Hsrcourt ridculed 1t as un-English. Mr.. Balfour
closed the debate with veiled reference TO the
belated Wolseley expedition, declaring that wher-
ever the column went there would be no retreat
and that whatever was gained for Egypt would
be hers forever The vote Of censure was de-
feated, two to one: only one Unionlst Mr.. Court.
ney, voted with the Opposition. while ore Liberal
abstained. 1t was virtually straight party d.
vision The Government now have a free hand
to do whatever they choose, but the Liberals
have been consistent In condemnng In advance .
reversal Of their own policy.
A series OF Government measures has been
introduced. including the London Water bil
which creates Board for arranging q
scheme to purchase the rights Of the eight
companies and thereby curtails the privileges
OF the County Council. TIE moderates In that