DIFFICULTIES OF THE BERBER ROUTT.. I 79 to Gordon; what assistance it would have been possible to render him in the task of establishing a settled government in Khartum and in the provinces?

In reference to the contention that after Graham's success troops should have been despatched to Suakim to open the road and occupy Berber, Lord Hartington repeated what he had said previously, that the sending of troops to Berber had never been suggested by Gordon himself as an isolated operation, or except in connection with the proposal which he made that Zebehr should be sent out to succeed him. In accordance with the recommendations of General Gordon, Sir E. Baring, and the military authorities, advantage was taken of the victories gained to push on a reconnaissance in force in the direction of the road to Berber, and if possible to establish communications with that town; and the result was, that although the season had not reached the greatest heat, the troops suffered fearfully, so that on one day's march almost half the small force employed had to fall out from the effect of the heat. That operation, accompanied as it was by great suffering to the troops, while it was not seriously resisted, though it found that a certain small force was still collected under Osman Digma, proved conclusively that any military expedition on a considerable scale in the direction of Berber was absolutely impossible. It might have been possible at great risk and the certainty of great suffering to send a small force of cavalry; but that force, if sent at all, must have been sent unsupported by artillery or infantry. In the attempt that had been made the most difficult part of the route had not been experienced. The difficulties of the first 150 miles, though they might have been overcome, were immense, but they were as nothing compared with the difficulties of the route over the last 100 miles.

" I remember," said Lord Hartington, "the questions that use I to be addressed to me two or three years ago when General Roberts undertook his march from Cabul to Candahar with a considerable and perfectly-equipped force. I then received most urgent expostulations and admonitions from gentlemen opposite as to the inexpediency and recklessness of cutting off such a force