Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1884. THE SUDAN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 64, 14 February 1884, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1884. THE SUDAN.

Ii is some relief to know that an effort is to be made to prevent the. beleaguered garrison at Tokar sharing the fate that befel the unfortunate defenders of Sinkat. The fear is that the step may not have been taken m time, and that before the rebels can be intercepted another horror of war will have stained the page of Egyptian history. At this distance from the scene of operations, and with a necessarily imperfect knowledge of Egyptian affair?, itjis difficult to say to what extent the English Government is responsible for the chapter of events that have culminated m the annihilation of the doomed garrison ot Sinkat, nnd which threalens to have a still more dreadful consummation m store,Jin which the scene will be laid at Tokar. Our cable news Bhow that the Ministry has suffered a serious loss of prestige and confidence through the recent disaster: but how far the alleged vacillating policy is to blame it is impossible to affirm. It does seem that England is very anxious to avoid mixing herself m Egyptian affairs anyjmore than is absolutely necessary. There may have been special reasons for this policy that have not been yet divulged. We should not be surprised to see the Gladstone Ministry have to face a direct vote of want of confidence on the Egyptian question as public opinion is strongly expressed m a hostile direction at the present juncture. There will be general sympathy for the late defenders of Sinkat, who kept the bosicgers at bay until forced to give m, and then sallied out to meet their fate, opposed by an overwhelming and pitiless foe. We fear tho Egyptian question is one that is going to disturb the world to a greater degree than is generally realised, at the present time.