The Evening Star : WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1881.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 4291, 22 February 1884, Page 2

The Evening Star : WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1881.

For the cause that lacks assistance For the wrong that needs reststanco, For the future in tho distance, And the good that we can do.

The news that Gordon Pasha had proclaimed to the disaffected Soudanese that the slave trade would in future bo allowed has evoked a storm of indignation in England and throughout Europe generally. The London "Standard" calls upon Mr Gladstone's Government to repudiate tho action of General Gordon, and generally there aro indications that this portion of the proclamation, now proved to be literally correct, is meeting with warm condemnation. Mr Gladstone, who at first doubted the accuracy of the telegram, will in all probability at once and in the most unequivocal manner repel the accusation that the British Government are conniving at the slave trade. British influence has for many years been oxerted towards the extinction of that disgraceful traffic in the Soudan, and it would bo intolerable if a single step should now bo takon which would liavo tho effect of giving oven the show of sanction to tho degrading trade. One of tho chief reasons which led to British interference in the Soudan was the consideration that by firmly establishing Egyptian rule they would bo nblo to strike at the source of the slave supply, and it may appear to some people that Gordon Pasha's action is a complete reversal of the declared policy of Britain, as well as being utterly repugnant to English ideas. Howover that may be, it is not clear how the proclamation is to be revoked unless by recalling General Gordon, who was sent on this special mission, invested with full powers as Governor of the Soudan, and authorised to make terms with the people. His instructions are to abandon the Egyptian authority over a great part* of the Soudan, and establish a more defensible frontier. Much as we deplore tho authorisation of traffic in human beings, we cannot but think that the recall of Gordon Pasha would have more disastrous consequences than his proclamation can possibly entail. Slavery in the Soudan is a time-honoured institution, and though nominally abolished in 1857 by Said Pasha, the Egyptian Viceroy, has been carried on without intermission up to the present time. To proclaim that the people would be allowed to do openly that which the Egyptian Government were powerless to prevent, can do no harm; and if the Turkish and Egyptian demand for slaves were cut off, the infernal traffic would shortly cease. On the other hand, it is evident that all attempts to conciliate the Soudanese would prove abortive if they failed to recognise this social institution ; and detestable though that institution may be, General Gordon has simply bowed to necessity in agreeing to tolerate it. If General Gordon should now be recalled, there will be no alternative but for Britain to undertake a difficult and useless war in Upper Egypt. The Coneervativo or "Jingo" party desire a British Protectorate over the entire country or its complete annexation, and hence, as a means to that end, willmakethomostof the sillycry that Britain is abetting slavery. Surely the past history of British rule everywhere is sufficient to repel the insinuation, and to create confidence that wherever British power becomes established Blavery must cease. Gordon Pasha's intention, it is plain, is '. restrict the area of disaffection, weaken iW

False Prophet's cause, and secure his ultimate defeat. Tho proclamation which ho has issued refers only to Kordofan, a provinco at tho cxtrcmo south - western boundary of tho Soudan, and by making El Mahdi Sultan of that district ho hopes, doubtless, to obtain a friondly recognition of tho new Egyptian boundary. Tho cost of ruling the turbulent tribes of cquatoria Africa comprised in the Soudan would bo more than their territory is worth. Hence tho necessity for pacifying Kordofan, nnd placing tho Mahdi in possession of it on friondly terms with Egypt; and Gordon Pasha doubtless thinks such a consummation cheaply purchased by the concession to its amiable inhabitants of their cherished right to buy and sell each other. In doing this he represents Egypt, and not England : the authority of the Khedive is still fully recognised as tlio only legitimate Government in Egypt, nnd England, therefore, is in no way compromised or stultniou in hor efforts coputdowntheslave trade intho Soudan. Gordon Pacha commanded ani expedition into Africn.fittedout by the Khedive, hi 1873, and was rewarded for his services by tho appointment of Govornor ol tlio Provinces of tho Equatorial Lakes. In 1877 he was appointed by tlio Khcdivo Govornor of tlio whole of the Soudan, so that he is not only thoroughly familiar with tho condition nnd habits of the population, but also possesses thoir confidence.