One hundred years ago
The news from Khartoum is con- tradictory and confusing. Intelligence is received both from General Gordon and Mr Power, the Vice-Consul, who is cor- respondent of the Times; but though they are on excellent terms and vouch for each other, their views are not iden- tical. Mr Power wants an expedition sent, and represents Khartoum as sur- rounded, and the case hopeless, unless British troops make their appearance soon. He especially does not like the idea of a retreat up the Nile to the Equator and a march to the Congo, which he says nobody will survive. He keeps on affirm- ing that General Gordon expects a British force. General Gordon, on the other hand, does not ask for troops, does not think the Arabs will get in; and whether hopeless about his old plans or not, is in no way despairing, writing that the Mandi, at El Obeid, is hampered by internal revolt. The differences may partly be due to differences of tempera- ment and position; but there is a real discrepancy as to General Gordon's ex- pectation of troops.
Spectator, 19 April 1884
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