QUESTION. OBSERVATIONS. (Hansard, 1 May 1884)

§ LORD STRATHNAIRN

rose to ask the Government—First, their reasons for the evacuation of East Soudan by the troops under General Graham after his great successes over the rebel forces had created a panic and a complete depression of the "morale" among them, so that he was able to detach cavalry patrols from Suakin to considerable distances through the south and west, as well as through the northern district in the direction of Berber, proclaiming English supremacy over rebellion and anarchy; second, further to ask Her Majesty's Government whether this sudden and unexpected retreat from the scene of action, ordered by them, had not as seriously damaged British influence as General Graham's successes had previously raised it in that part of the world; third, whether this most 1021 serious loss of influence has not endangered the position and life of General Gordon, as well as the lives and properties of foreign consular agents and of a large number of loyal inhabitants in the Soudan districts; fourth, whether, even at this late hour, it would not save the dangerous situation now existing in the Soudans to concentrate Indian cavalry and infantry at Suakin, a safe port and base, in addition to making a military demonstration from Assouan southwards, which could be turned, when required, into a real movement? And whether these dispositions to attack the enemy in front and rear, thus placing him between two fires, might not have a wholesome effect in arresting a further development of rebellion round Khartoum and Berber, and throughout the Soudans? The noble and gallant Lord said that the object of these Questions was to show by official facts the serious and unenviable responsibility to the country, which rested upon Her Majesty's Government, for their incomprehensible policy in having abandoned the most satisfactory position, either in a political or a military sense, secured to them in East Soudan by the great and decisive successes of General Graham and his troops, and in having descended into its antithesis, a retreat to Cairo and England, which was, to the minds of Orientals, a certain proof of weakness, whether in policy or warfare. The Soudanese, Zulus, and Lazzees were the bravest populations in the East; but, brave as they were, they were not free from this Oriental characteristic. And the British successes at the last general action of Tamanieb were marked by unusual terrors of war; no less than 6,000 men killed on the field by the improved arms of the Royal Artillery and Infantry, which left an indelible impression on the minds of the Soudanese soldiers, and of their countrymen, of the invincible power of British troops. Nothing could have effaced this except the evacuation. The Soudanese troops, in fanatical devotion to the Mahdi's cause, rushed to the attack, recklessly exposing themselves to the iron storm of case of the battery under Captain Holley, to whom the country could not be sufficiently grateful for the all-important service he and his brave gunners, as General Graham said in his despatch "not protected by Infantry," rendered 1022 at a critical moment. The enemy were shot down before they could reach the guns like the Austrians in the campaign with the Prussians in 1866. The Austrians charged often and gallantly; but before they could reach their opponents, they were shot down by the Prussian Nadelgewehr. The Soudanese had practical proof at Tamasi and Tamanieb that even the Mahdi, by whose orders they fought, and in whose service they died, could not save them from either death or defeat, a proof the more impressive, as their best fighting men, their leaders, were the first to fall. They broke, dispersed, and fled in complete disorder in every direction, never to rally again, until encouraged to do so by the policy of the Government. He took a glance at the great interests which the Government had sacrificed, and the bad passions of rebellion, anarchy, and massacres, which they had developed by their retreat. From the moment the transports conveying our soldiers disappeared from Suakin the Mahdi and all the former germs of disorder revived, and every newspaper teemed with afflicting accounts of the desperate state of things in the Soudan. But had Admiral Hewett and General Graham "par nobile fratrum, quos gloria junxit," remained, they would, with the good common sense of Englishmen, have established temporary order and government by the issue of a resolute and sensible Proclamation calling on the Native authorities of every grade to do their duty faithfully, promising them support and reward if they acted with loyalty, justice, and energy; and, on the other hand, proclaiming suspension from their duties if they acted in a contrary manner. The English Commanders might have collected confidential information respecting the Slave Trade, which would have enabled Her Majesty's Government, in concert, if possible, with the Egyptian. Government, to adopt measures calculated to lessen the horrors of slavery, although unable to abolish it altogether. Worst of all, the Government abandoned, and exposed to great peril, their Representative in Soudan, at Khartoum, the only fortified stronghold in Upper Egypt. The excuses the Government had made were of no avail, and the country would universally condemn the policy which Her Majesty's Government had pursued.