VIEWS OF THE SITUATION. 1 25 to revolt; and Gordon then stated his views of the situation: — " There is nothing," he says, " further to be hoped for in the way of quieting the people than has already been accomplished, and there is a certainty that as time advances the emissaries of the Mahdi will succeed in raising the tribes between this and Berber. This is not owing to disaffection, but to fear caused by the pronounced policy of the abandonment of the Soudan, which policy has been published by sending down the widows and orphans and the Cairo employes from Khartum. We cannot blame them for rising when no definite sign is shown of establishing a permanent government here. Except by means of emissaries the Mahdi has no power outside of El Obeid, where he distrusts the people and also the Bedouins around. He is a nonentity as to any advance on Khartum, but all-powerful through his emissaries when backed with the pronounced policy of abandonment without establishing a permanent government.

General Graham's victory is a glorious one, and if followed up by an advance of about two squadrons to Berber would settle the question as to this place, for the people between there and Khartum would not think of rising. Zebehr Pasha should be sent to succeed me. With these squadrons and Wood's Invincibles, should advance a regiment, or it should go to Dongola, while ioo British troops might make a Nile trip to Wady Haifa and stay there for two months. This would settle the question, for when the Nile rose, with the Berber black troops and those of Khartum, which I would bring up, I could deal with the rebels on the Blue Nile and open the road to Sennar. Then I would take out the Cairo employes, and Zebehr Pasha would put his own men there.

I would evacuate the Equatorial Bahr Gazelle provinces, and hand over the troops to Zebehr Pasha, who would before the end of tin year finish off the Madhi.

As for Zebehr Pasha's blood-feud with me, it is absurd, if a subsidy be granted him for three years dependent on my safety.

As for Zebehr's slave-dealing offences, they are bad, but not woi than those of Ismail and other Turks, for the thief is no worse than the receiver.