Lord Salisbury made his expected declaration of policy on Monday.
He said little of home affairs, beyond declaring that he intended to dissolve at the earliest possible moment, and at first confined himself to foreign policy, stating that he should try to finish the negotiations with Russia, now nearly com- pleted, but that the Ameer must have Zulficar. He would not rely, however, on treaties, or on the friendship of the Ameer of Afghanistan, but upon the fortification of the Indian frontier, and the preparation of "bulwarks stretching out far enough to prevent the tide of war rolling to its foot." As regards Egypt, the" difficulties are enormous," especially in the Soudan. He intended, however, to recognise accomplished facts, to abandon Dongola, and "to buckle to with the view of amend- ing all evils that exist by a cautions and circumspect policy." There is no alternative, except to abandon Egypt, which, in his judgment, would be shameful. He denied by implication the rumour that he intends to remove the Khedive, declaring that "we were bound by every consideration of honour to support one who, through the whole of this calamitous history, had shown himself loyal and steadfast to England." He left him- self, except upon that point, entirely free, and probably intends to remain so until Parliament has been prorogued. Meanwhile, he has sent for Lord Wolseley and Sir Evelyn Baring to consult them.
