DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26876#0010
8
29th Feb.—Battle of El Teb. British and Arab losses, 2550. [N.B.—Mr Gladstone’s Mission in the Soudan was
entirely “pacific,” so that a general “scuttle” order was given, after this purposeless slaughter.]
THE SOUDAN ABANDONMENT.
4th Jan. 1884.—The G. 0. M. decides to abandon the Soudan, and insists upon the resignation of all Egyptian
Officials who differ from him. Gherif Pasha and his Government therefore retire—Cherif saying, “ Time and
posterity will judge between me and Mr Gladstone.” The Mahdi takes heart from the abandonment policy, and
the insurrection naturally increases. [“All men worship the rising sun.”—General Gordon, 7th Jan. 1884.]
GENERAL GORDON TO THE RESCUE.
Iith Jan.—General Gordon is refused permission by the G. 0. M. to suppress the slave trade on the Congo unless he
resigns his commission in the British Army. [_Wi?.—Mr Gladstone’s father was a slaveowner, but did not resign
his commission (£68,454) on the slaves.]
16th Jan.—The Grand Old Weathercock is shamed into changing his mind and allowing Gordon to retain his commission.
17th Jan.—Wind again changes. The G. 0. M. recalls Gordon and sends him, against his wish, and that of the
Egyptian authorities, to Khartoum, to save the Gladstone Government.
22nd Jan.—Sir Charles Dilke says at Chelsea :—“ We were informed that General Gordon, although he had no wish to
go to Egypt, would go if he were ordered.” [And he ivas ordered.]
18th Jan.—General Gordon leaves Charing Cross at 8 p.m. “ Lord Wolseley carried the General’s portmanteau, Lord
Granville took his ticket for him, and the Duke of Cambridge held open the carriage door.”—Pall Mall Gazette,
19th Jan. [N.B.—Mr Chamberlain was unable to be present as he was privately engaged on “pacific
negotiations ” with Mr Larry Mack, of Birmingham.]
THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. (?)
1st Feb.—Gordon says :—“ It is possible I may go to the Mahdi.” 6th Feb., Baring to Gordon :—“ I hope you will
on no account visit the Mahdi.” 6th Feb., Granville to IJaring :—“ Your message to Gen. Gordon is approved.”
Commentary: 12th May 1884, the G-. 0. M. says : “ We did not negative General Gordon’s visit to the Mahdi.”
[At the very outset, Gen. Gordon’s “pacific mission” is obstructed by the G. 0. M. & Co. Refused permission
to try peace ; afterwards refused permission to try war.]
5th Feb.—In reply to a question with regard to assistance to General Gordon, the G. 0. M. at once declares his
Egyptian Policy and says:—“Her Majesty’s Government do not find themselves called upon to adopt any
measures of any kind.” [And they didn't.]
13th Feb.—W. E. G. says :—“It is no exaggeration, in speaking of General Gordon, to say that he is a hero. It is no
exaggeration to say that he is a Christian.” [Moral : It is no exaggeration to say that the G. 0. M. is the
original of Pecksniff.]
8th Feb.—General Gordon crosses the desert to Khartoum, on the Gladstonian “pacific mission,” to convey, without
“military operations,” 20,000 troops and 30,000 civilians through the heart of a savage insurrection.
[“ Peace, Retrenchment, and Reform ”—especially Retrenchment.]
29th Feb.—Battle of El Teb. British and Arab losses, 2550. [N.B.—Mr Gladstone’s Mission in the Soudan was
entirely “pacific,” so that a general “scuttle” order was given, after this purposeless slaughter.]
THE SOUDAN ABANDONMENT.
4th Jan. 1884.—The G. 0. M. decides to abandon the Soudan, and insists upon the resignation of all Egyptian
Officials who differ from him. Gherif Pasha and his Government therefore retire—Cherif saying, “ Time and
posterity will judge between me and Mr Gladstone.” The Mahdi takes heart from the abandonment policy, and
the insurrection naturally increases. [“All men worship the rising sun.”—General Gordon, 7th Jan. 1884.]
GENERAL GORDON TO THE RESCUE.
Iith Jan.—General Gordon is refused permission by the G. 0. M. to suppress the slave trade on the Congo unless he
resigns his commission in the British Army. [_Wi?.—Mr Gladstone’s father was a slaveowner, but did not resign
his commission (£68,454) on the slaves.]
16th Jan.—The Grand Old Weathercock is shamed into changing his mind and allowing Gordon to retain his commission.
17th Jan.—Wind again changes. The G. 0. M. recalls Gordon and sends him, against his wish, and that of the
Egyptian authorities, to Khartoum, to save the Gladstone Government.
22nd Jan.—Sir Charles Dilke says at Chelsea :—“ We were informed that General Gordon, although he had no wish to
go to Egypt, would go if he were ordered.” [And he ivas ordered.]
18th Jan.—General Gordon leaves Charing Cross at 8 p.m. “ Lord Wolseley carried the General’s portmanteau, Lord
Granville took his ticket for him, and the Duke of Cambridge held open the carriage door.”—Pall Mall Gazette,
19th Jan. [N.B.—Mr Chamberlain was unable to be present as he was privately engaged on “pacific
negotiations ” with Mr Larry Mack, of Birmingham.]
THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. (?)
1st Feb.—Gordon says :—“ It is possible I may go to the Mahdi.” 6th Feb., Baring to Gordon :—“ I hope you will
on no account visit the Mahdi.” 6th Feb., Granville to IJaring :—“ Your message to Gen. Gordon is approved.”
Commentary: 12th May 1884, the G-. 0. M. says : “ We did not negative General Gordon’s visit to the Mahdi.”
[At the very outset, Gen. Gordon’s “pacific mission” is obstructed by the G. 0. M. & Co. Refused permission
to try peace ; afterwards refused permission to try war.]
5th Feb.—In reply to a question with regard to assistance to General Gordon, the G. 0. M. at once declares his
Egyptian Policy and says:—“Her Majesty’s Government do not find themselves called upon to adopt any
measures of any kind.” [And they didn't.]
13th Feb.—W. E. G. says :—“It is no exaggeration, in speaking of General Gordon, to say that he is a hero. It is no
exaggeration to say that he is a Christian.” [Moral : It is no exaggeration to say that the G. 0. M. is the
original of Pecksniff.]
8th Feb.—General Gordon crosses the desert to Khartoum, on the Gladstonian “pacific mission,” to convey, without
“military operations,” 20,000 troops and 30,000 civilians through the heart of a savage insurrection.
[“ Peace, Retrenchment, and Reform ”—especially Retrenchment.]