HC Deb 03 March 1884 vol 285 cc370-1
SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

Sir, there are two Questions which I wish to put to Her Majesty's Government. One is, whether there is any truth in the report that British troops have been sent to Assouan; and, if so, for what purpose they have been sent there? The other Question is, whether the Government cannot now give us some information in regard to the position of General Gordon? There is considerable anxiety in the public mind in consequence of the reports which have been received. Those reports appear to be rather conflicting, and I think, considering the time which has elapsed, it is but reasonable that we should have some information from the Government on the subject.

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

In reply to the first Question of the right hon. Gentleman, I can only state that we have received information that a brigade, I think—at any rate a body—of the Egyptian Army has been sent to Assouan. General Stephenson has received instructions, if Sir Evelyn Baring and the Egyptian Government should think it necessary, to send a British force to some point up the Nile in support of that force. We have also telegraphed a request that in the event of their having been sent, the fullest information should be transmitted as to the destination and composition of the force; but I have not heard that any orders on the subject have yet been issued.

MR. GLADSTONE

In regard to General Gordon, I do not know what it is that the right hon. Gentleman refers to. Her Majesty's Government have received no disquieting rumours about General Gordon. He is in constant telegraphic communication with Cairo, and if there were anything of a disquieting character I cannot conceive but that it must necessarily have reached the Government. I believe that General Gordon still remains at Khartoum, and we have no reason to suppose that he contemplates leaving it at present.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

I wish to ask the Prime Minister, Whether it is true that Colonel Stewart has returned from the White Nile, having failed in the expedition on which General Gordon had sent him, having been met by large bodies of threatening Natives; whether it is or is not true that General Gordon is about to despatch, or has already despatched, Colonel Stewart again up the White Nile, at the head of 2,000 Black troops, to wage war on the Mahdi; if he will explain to the House whether General Gordon's mission still remains essentially pacific; and if, in these circumstances, he will further explain why British troops have been ordered up to Assouan?

MR. GLADSTONE

I think the noble Lord will feel it is but reasonable that Notice should be given of a serious Question of that kind.

SIR R. ASSHETON CROSS

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us why these troops have been ordered to Assouan? They must be ordered there for some purpose. Is it in consequence of the communications which have come from General Gordon that these troops have been sent? The noble Lord said the troops were ordered by the Egyptian Government; but is it not the British Government that is really and practically responsible?

MR. GLADSTONE

No, Sir; these troops were not ordered in consequence of any communication from General Gordon; and the movement, if it takes place, has no relation whatever to any operations of General Gordon.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will give a pledge to the House that General Gordon shall not be permitted to wage war on the Soudanese tribes at the head of 2,000 Bashi-Bazouks?

MR. GLADSTONE

This is really putting a series of the strangest Questions. I am asked to deny the statements they contain one after the other. The noble Lord should show that he has some colour of authority for such astonishing statements.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

They are in every newspaper.