§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Prime Minister, If he could inform the House whether any actual preparations had been made up to the present time to organize an expedition for the relief or rescue of General Gordon?
MR. GLADSTONEI must only fall back upon the statements which the Government have already made, and particularly by my noble Friend the Secretary of State for War, who entered into the subject with the greatest care, in respect to our recognition of our obligation with regard to General Gordon, and our special duty to take care that we shall keep ourselves in a position to fulfil that obligation.