NEWS OF THE WEEK.
MR. GLADSTONE on Monday night stated that the negotiations with France had reached a point which would shortly enable the Government to consult the Powers. He hoped, therefore, in the course of next week to make the promised statement to Parliament, and lay the agreement arrived at before the Houses. He added that he was able both to repeat and accentuate a.pre- vious statement by promising that " the House of Commons should have an opportunity of pronouncing upon the arrange- ment itself before anything was finally concluded so as to bind the country." This statement has given great satisfaction ; as has another made on Tuesday, that the story of an invita- tion sent to the Sultan to garrison the Soudan with Turks is un- founded. Mr. Gladstone has added a signifidant warning against a too ready belief in statements about the Conference, though made in a tone of confidence. The warning was required. People are ready to believe anything ; and the financial syndi- cates, thinking that Lord Salisbury would guarantee the Debt, give them plenty to believe. Every third rumour circulated about Egypt is an invention, with a pecuniary motive.
