Current Literature
GORDON, THE SUDAN AND SLAVERY By Pierre Crabites
The centenary of Gordon's birth brings an intelligent and useful book by M. Pierre Crabites on Gordon, the Sudan and Slavery (Routledge, 12s. 8d.). The author, besides drawing upon the usual authorities, has Used the Egyptian records at Cairo to enforce his argument that the Khedive Ismail, what- ever his shortcomings, was really in earnest about the sup- pression of the Sudanese slave-trade and gave Gordon his full support. M. Crabites is anxious also to prove that Gordon was not a scatter-brained fanatic but a very capable soldier and a practical politician. The old controversies about Gordon's last and fatal mission to the Sudan are closely analysed so as to show that they arose largely out of ignorance of the conditions which Gordon had to face. It is beyond doubt that, while Ministers in London were disputing as to what Gordon should or should not do when he evacuated the Sudan, he was hemmed in by the Mandi's forces and unable to leave Khartum. Gladstone, it is clear, never realized the true situation, and the warnings of Lord Cromer at Cairo were ignored until it was too late to rescue Gordon. He, poor man, had simply acted on his instructions as far as was possible. No blame whatever attaches to him for being sent on a hopeless mission and refused support.
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