The record-union., 1896-03-21

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Italian Government had communicated
to the British Government the infor-
nation that there was prospect that
the Dervishes would make an attack
upon Kassala, and pointed out the eff
feet which such an attack would have
upon Egypt.
John Morley asked if majority of
the Egyptian Debt Commission were
competent to sanction the proposed ex-
penditure for the Dongola expedition.
Curzon said that the commission con-
trolled two funds. The largest of these,
which was derived from a conversion
of the Egyptian debt, required the
unanimous consent of the Powers to
authorize expenditure of the whole or
any part thereof, but the smaller one,
3 reserve fund, amounting to t2,oOO,-
600, he said, must be disposed of by a
majority of the commission.
During the debate of the estimates
John Morley, amid cheers from the Lib
eral benches, moved to reduce the vote
Of the Foreign Office in order to call
attention to recent events in Egypt.
Morley said, in reply to a question, that
unquestionably his motion sought a
vote of censure upon the Government,
and recalled the circumstance that he
himself had moved similar vote in
1865 upon the then Liberal Govern
ment in condemnation of it's policy in
Egypt.
In the course Of his argument Morley
admitted that the occupation of Egypt
by Great Britain had been productive
of much benefit and many blessings to
the people of that country (Conserva-
tive cheers), but he said the long con-
tinuance 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 di-
vert the Egyptian funds from the pur-
pose of Egyptian development and the
application of the money to England s
purpose. protesting cries of "Oh, OH"
from the Conservative benches.)
The new policy, he declared, would
impose upon Egypt the duty of govern
ing one of the most difficult territories
non the face of the earth. The Govern
nlent Morley said, had not explained
their policy, and the Ministers had de-
clined to treat the House with that con-
fidence that the House had reason to
GAp6Cl OIl the eve OL 81 SIGdl diI uuOGI-
taking So hazardous a proposal, he
held, could never be justified by a reason
so meager, fiimsy, irrelevant as the one
advanced.
Morleys remarks were received with
prolonged Liberal cheers.
Chamberlain, Secretary of State for
the Colonial Department, said it would
be impossible for the opposition to pass
judgment upon the policy of the Gov
ernment unless the Government first
made up their minds definitely in regard
to the immediate evacuation of Egypt.
Nothing in recent history, he said, could
be looked back to with more pride and
satisfaction than the peaceful revolving
Of Egyptian affairs, which had been
accomplished with a handful of men
and a British civil administration. If
Egypt should be abandoned, all this
would be undone. Egypt must be de-
Tended If her prosperity was to con-
tinue. The consent of majority of the
Powers had already been given to Eng
lands plan of meeting the expenses
and the Government had no knowledge
leading them to assume that the con-
sent of the remaining Powers would be
finally refused.
If 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.
It 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 Abys-
sinia had created new situation. If
Kassala should fall the ill-effect upon
Egypt would be incalculable. The vari-
Gus tribes of the Soudan were putting
aside their internecine disputes and
combining in a great effort against
Egypt The wisest policy was to an
ticipate their attack and prevent the
Dervishes from concentrating against
one object. Whatever the Egyptian adj
vance might ultimately be, he said, 1T
would only be limited by the nature
and extent of the resistance encoun-
tered and the maintenance of the secur-
ity of the communities.
Henry Labouchere said the Govern
ment should wait before taking action
until Egypt is attacked by the Der
wishes The reluctance on the part of
the Ministers to diclose their plans, he
declared concealed large scheme. Mr.
Labouchere predicted that the expedi-
ton. unless checked by disaster, would
go to Dongola and Khartoum and Dar-
fur.
Henry NJ Stanley, the explorer, who
the north division of Lam
beth in the interest of the Liberal
Unionists, asserted that Egypt had
right to reclaim her former frontiers,
and that the opportunity for doing so
had come The total defeat of the Ma
hadists, Mr. Stanley declared. must pre-
cede the independence of Egypt.
The Right Hon. George Curzon said
that the expedition would take a strong
ly defensive position at Akasheh, where
It would remain until the hot season,
when, if it was thought desirable, it
would proceed to Dongola- The Gov
ernment, he added, possessed proofs
that there was a general ferment among
the 3Dervishes, and that they were
threatening Kassala and the Nile Val
ley.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt, the op-