HC Deb 14 February 1884 vol 284 cc891-2
MR. SALT

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether offers of money are being made or are about to be made to any of the tribes in the Soudan to induce them to remain loyal to the Government of the Khedive; and, if so, whether such sums will be included in the estimates of the English or of the Egyptian expenditure?

MR. GLADSTONE

I am disposed to believe that the hon. Member must agree with me in the opinion which I entertain, that it is desirable that no answer should be given to this Question. General Gordon, in regard to these offers, is not our agent, although we are responsible undoubtedly to the Egyptian Government for all that General Gordon does. But I am bound to say that I thank the hon. Member for the opportunity of saying with how much regret I read the other day an intimation sent by some correspondent of one of the London journals from Egypt, that General Gordon had departed from a certain place with a certain quantity of money. I do hope that some discretion will be exercised in these matters. If it is possible to conceive anything likely to endanger not only the mission but the life of General Gordon, it is the circulation of intelligence of that kind. I may say, also, that there is great inaccuracy in the particulars that were stated.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Did the right hon. Gentleman state that General Gordon was not the agent of the British Government?

MR. GLADSTONE

I stated, certainly, Sir, that in strictness and officially General Gordon was the agent of the Egyptian Government; but that we, having counselled the Egyptian Government, are responsible for his action.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

On what date did General Gordon be- come the agent of the Egyptian Government?

MR. GLADSTONE

I should have thought the noble Lord was aware that General Gordon had power to assume—and, I believe, has assumed—the Governorship General of the Soudan in the name of the Egyptian Government.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Might I ask whether the Primo Minister is aware that the noble Lord the Secretary of State for War stated in the most direct terms in this House the other night that General Gordon was not in the employment of the Egyptian Government?

MR. GLADSTONE

The noble Lord has entirely misunderstood the statement of my noble Friend the Secretary of State for War. I think my noble Friend is a higher authority as to what he said than the noble Lord; and my noble Friend tells me he stated, and stated with perfect truth, that General Gordon was sent out by this Government to discharge certain functions on the part of this Government; and that he was likewise empowered to discharge certain other functions which might be entrusted to him by the Egyptian Government. The noble Lord seems to mo to be dwelling upon points that are of small importance, because I have already stated, in the most distinct manner, that, substantially, Her Majesty's Government are in the strictest way responsible for the action of General Gordon.