I 1 2 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

now devised for the Soudan, and I do not think it is possible to shake off that responsibility.

If, however, her majesty's government are unwilling to assume any responsibility in the matter, then I think they should give full liberty of action to General Gordon and the khedive's government to do what seems best to them.

I have no doubt as to the most advisable course of action.

Zebehr Pasha should be permitted to succeed General Gordon.

He should receive a certain sum of money to begin with, and an annual subsidy of about ,£50,000 for the first five years, to depend upon his good behaviour. This amount would enable him to maintain a moderate-sized army, and the whole arrangement would be an economical one for the Egyptian government.

The main difficulty lies in the selection of the man. It is useless to send any one who has no local influence. There are certain obvious objections to Zebehr Pasha, but I think too great weight is attached to them, and I believe that General Gordon is quite right when he says that Zebehr Pasha is the only possible man. I can suggest none other, and Nubar Pasha is strongly in favour of him.

It is for her majesty's government to judge of the importance to be attached to public opinion in England, but I venture to think that any attempt to settle Egyptian questions by the light of English popular feeling is sure to be productive of harm, and in this, as in other cases, it would be preferable to follow the advice of the responsible authorities on the spot."

Yes. In reply to the question whether he could suggest any one else, as the government would not have Zebehr, Gordon had replied: "That settles the question for me, I cannot suggest any other." At that time (February 26th) Gordon thought it would not be difficult to " smash the Mahdi," and was, perhaps, scarcely aware of the dimensions of the revolt in the Red Sea provinces.

" Of course," he said, " my duty is evacuation, and the best I can for establishing a quiet government. The first I hope to accomplish. The second is a more difficult task, and concerns Egypt more than me. If Egypt is to be quiet Mahdi must be smashed up. Madhi is most unpopular, and with care and time could be