Gordon's proposed plan of government. 85 which the governors, mudirs, &c, would acquire from being nominated by Cairo would most probably secure them against rivals. On the other hand, in the event of the mudir becoming unpopular, an order for his removal from Cairo would carry great weight, and most probably ensure his dismissal. I would therefore earnestly beg that evacuation, but not abandonment, be the programme to be followed, and that the firman with which I am provided be changed into one recognizing moral control and suzerainty. In offering this suggestion, I must, however, premise that the moral control will be exercised by the Egyptian government as a responsible body, and that all nominations will be made by the ministry uninfluenced by any individual, however exalted may be his position. I am persuaded that, by following the above policy on the lines I have drawn, neither her majesty's government nor yet the Egyptian government would incur any risk, and that they would be able to secure, in a greater or lesser degree, the future of the Soudan."

To this declaration on the part of General Gordon Lieutenantcolonel Stewart added his remarks or endorsement just as he did on other occasions. He considered that, though it could not be denied that anarchy and bloodshed would ensue were the policy of abandonment carried out in its entirety, a solution in the direction as pointed out by General Gordon would altogether depend upon what policy her majesty's government intended to pursue towards Egypt. Should they decide to evacuate Egypt, and to cease having: a controlling and directing voice in the affairs of that country, he was decidedly of opinion that it would be far better, in the interests of both countries, to abandon the Soudan.

To allow in such a case Egypt to maintain even a nominal control over the Soudan would only tend to ensure further attempts at active interference, with their accompaniment of misgovernment, oppression, venality, and Cairene intrigue.

In the event of her majesty's government retaining a directing voice in Egyptian affairs General Gordon's advice might be followed with considerable advantage. Although Stewart did not quite agree with him that the prestige of Cairo had not been