HC Deb 24 April 1884 vol 287 cc467-8
MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether a telegram has been received at Cairo from the Governor of Berber— Asking if reinforcements are coming. If so, he will make the test resistance possible with, his garrison of 700 men. If otherwise, he asks for instructions prior to making the best arrangements possible with the Mahdi; whether a telegram has been received by Sir Evelyn Baring from General Gordon, in which General Gordon expresses his utmost indignation at the manner in which he has been abandoned by the English Government, and states his resolution henceforth to cut himself entirely adrift from those who have deserted him, on whom will rest the blood guiltiness for all lives hereafter lost in the Soudan; and, whether it is true that Nubar Pacha declines to hold office longer unless help is sent to Berber, and that the Khedive proposes to send General Wood's Egyptian army to the relief of Berber?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

The first and fourth parts of the hon. Member's Question will, I think, be more conveniently answered in connection with Question No. 36. In regard to the second part of the hon. Member's Question, full information will be given to the House in the Blue Book which I hope to lay on the Table of the House early next week; but I may state at once that the information contained in the hon. Members's Question is incorrect. No information to the effect that Nubar Pasha declines to hold office unless help is sent to Berber has been received at the Foreign Office.