Sir William Harcourt was not opposed to a temporary advance,
but would, with his party, resist the permanent occupation of the Sondan to the utmost of his power ; while Mr. Courtney maintained that we were safe behind the barrier of Wady Haifa, and that our movement would not benefit the Italians. This, however, had just before been denied by Mr. Balfour, who, after declaring that in the opinion of military experts Egypt was not safe against attack from the South, maintained that news of our advance would spread among the Mandist& with lightning rapidity, and that it would produce an effective diversion in the Italian favour. He had no knowledge that the European Powers would object, and could not perceive the smallest reason for their doing so, especially the Powers friendly to Italy. He held it a gain to civilisation that Egypt should advance southward, and another gain that the sorely pressed forces of Italy should in some way be re- lieved. A division was taken, nominally on the adjournment, and Mr. Labouchere was defeated by 106 (268 to 162). The minority included the Catholic Irish, who are hostile to any attempt to serve Italy, and apparently consider the blood- thirsty tyranny at Omdurman an excellent example of Home- rule.
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