The fate of General Gordon is, of course, a different
question, and Mr. Gladstone on Thursday fully admitted this. He de- -dined to indicate the method to be adopted, and stated in the most absolute manner, on information which would be made public in a few days, that "there was no military or other danger at Khartoum." Nevertheless, " The country feels a profound interest, and likewise a strong sense of obligation dependent upon it, with regard to the safety of General Gordon. That feeling and strong sense of obligation with regard to the safety of that gallant and heroic officer her Majesty's Govern- ment have fully shared from the very first, and they have been careful to put themselves in a position to fulfil this obligation in the sense in which they believe the country, in common with themselves, recognise it." This means, of course, that while the Government has not abandoned the hope of rescuing General Gordon by other means, it will, if need be, rescue him by force. That is, we imagine, the desire of the country, which is often misrepresented by those who are using General Gordon's danger as a mere instrument for attack and obstruction. The Govern- ment recognise quite as strongly as their critics that, although the General has partly failed, having checked the Mandi but not liberated the garrisons, he cannot be abandoned.
