§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is a fact that General Gordon has been closely besieged in Khartoum by the followers of the Mahdi since March 14th; that he did not resort to force till pacific efforts to withdraw the garrisons and civilian population had failed; that the revolt has now spread 350 miles north of Khartoum; and, that no message has been heard from Gordon since April 10th; and whether, under these circumstances, Her Majesty's Ministers still decline to send him material help?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON, in reply, said, he was afraid he could not add much to what he said a few days ago. As had just been stated, there had been frequent reports; but the latest authentic news from General Gordon was April 10th. The indirect semiofficial intelligence did not point to the fact that he was closely besieged; on the contrary, it rather pointed in the opposite direction. He believed the time was approaching when it might be expected that, if any of the numerous messengers who some time ago were despatched with messages to carry to Khartoum succeeded in entering that place, direct intelligence might be received from General Gordon. He was having information on that subject prepared. The Government did not know whether or not General Gordon did not resort to force until the pacific efforts to withdraw the garrisons and civil population had failed. The revolt had certainly spread a considerable distance north of Khartoum; but it was impossible to state the exact area over which it now extended. As to the last part of the Question, whenever Her Majesty's Government had decided to send an expedition to Khartoum, it would be their first duty to communicate such a determination to the House.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTsaid, that in consequence of the answer of the noble Lord, he would ask him whether the Government could have stronger evidence of the fact that General Gor 831 don was closely besieged, than the statement which he had just admitted to be correct, that no news — [Cries of "Order!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERThat is not a Question; it is an inference. I cannot allow the hon. Member to argue.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTsaid, he would put his Question differently, and then it would be seen that he was in Order. He would ask the noble Lord whether the only messenger from General Gordon since April who had succeeded in evading the besiegers of Khartoum was not killed on his way to Berber? The House would understand that he meant the immediate besiegers of Khartoum.
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON, in reply, said, he should not like to give an answer to a Question on that point without Notice. His recollection was, that one of the reports which the Government received was that a messenger, who alleged that he had seen General Gordon at Khartoum, had been killed in the neighbourhood of Suakin. The indirect and unauthenticated information they had received pointed to the inference that the absence of information from General Gordon was duo rather to the disturbed state of the country in the neighbourhood of Berber and Suakin than to any close investment of Khartoum.