§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that the Governor of Berber has telegraphed to Cairo that the tribes between Berber and Khartoum are in open rebellion, that all communication with Khartoum is cut off, that in his opinion Dongola and Berber will soon be invested, and 33 that the Great Bisharên tribe are momentarily expected to rise; what is the date of the last Despatch from General Gordon; and, what steps Her Majesty's Ministers propose to take to save him from, the grave danger in which he and those dependent upon him now stand?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, the Governor General of Berber has telegraphed to Sir Evelyn Baring that the number of rebels round Khartoum is said to be increasing, and that the population between Khartoum and Berber is in a very disturbed condition. He adds that the rebels are believed to be in communication with the Bisharên Arabs. The last intelligence from General Gordon received by Sir Evelyn Baring, as already stated by my noble Friend the Secretary of State for War, is the intelligence of the 23rd. I have nothing to add to the statement made by my noble Friend as to the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to General Gordon.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked whether the House was to understand that in the present critical state of affairs absolutely nothing was to be done to save General Gordon?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE not rising to reply,
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTsaid: I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he will answer the Question which I have put to the noble Lord?
MR. GLADSTONENo, Sir; I will not answer that Question. It is intended only to bewilder and mislead, and I will give no answer.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTThen I beg to give Notice that on the earliest possible occasion after the Recess—or to-night, if possible—I shall call attention to the abandonment by the Government of General Gordon.