§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is true, as stated by The Times Correspondent in Khartoum, that the tribes along the hill north of Khartoum are in open rebellion, that Khartoum itself is besieged by 6,000 of the Mahdi's followers, and that General Gordon has had a serious engagement with these Arabs; what is the present position of General Gordon; and, whether Her Majesty's Government intend to accede to General Gordon's request for the despatch of British troops to Khartoum?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, the information which we have received from General Gordon is less full, and apparently not of so recent a date, as that which is contained in the telegram of The Times Correspondent. As far as it goes, it is substantially to the same effect. It gives an account of the relief of the garrison of Halfiyeh, and it speaks of a body of Arabs who were captured; but it does not make any reference to the reported intention of General Gordon to attack a large body of Arabs in the vicinity of Khartoum on the 16th of this month. We have no reason to doubt the substantial accuracy of The Times telegram; but we have no further information—no information further confirming it. I shall be very glad to answer any Question which the hon. Member may desire to put to mo, as far as I am able, as to matters of fact. As soon as we receive information from General Gordon, no doubt we shall be prepared to communicate it to the House; but as to the intentions of the Government, I explained a few days ago the reason why, from a military and politi- 750 cal point of view, we do not think it expedient or necessary to make at present any declaration as to our intentions; and I do not think the circumstances have altered in such a degree as to justify me in departing from that resolution.
§ MR. ASHMEAD - BARTLETTI quite accept the latter part of the noble Marquess's statement; but in view of the fact that General Gordon has been cut oil from all communication with Cairo, and, in fact, with this country, for the past 12 days, I wish to know whether, in order to relieve the anxiety of the public, he could not state whether some steps are being taken to re-open communications between Berber and Khartoum?
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORWill the noble Marquess also state whether he holds that General Gordon represents British or Egyptian authority?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONGeneral Gordon, as the House is perfectly aware, received a commission from Her Majesty's Government, and on arriving at Cairo he received also a commission from the Egyptian Government as Governor General of the Soudan. I do not think I could answer the further Question which was put to me by the hon. Member for Eye without entering into a statement which I have already said I could not make, as it would be prejudicial.