in difficulties in Khartoum, and is anxious for some support to be sent to him as far as Berber. If our Government decide upon sending him some assistance we must do the best we can, but it will be a serious undertaking to send men this long distance — about 250 miles from Suakin to Berber — at this hot season, with an inadequate supply of water; one portion of the distance, 105 miles, has only one supply of water halfway.... We are still without instructions as to how Suakin is to be garrisoned when Graham's force returns, and time passes. No decision has been arrived at as to what ruling power is to exist in the Soudan whenever Gordon shall find himself able to withdraw from Khartoum. Unless some arrangement is made for establishing some sort of government over the various tribes, a state of chaos must ensue, ending in their absorption by some strong hand, which will probably be the source of much future trouble to Egypt and ourselves.
While I am writing a telegram has just arrived from Berber to say that for some days past communication has been cut between there and Khartoum, which is now besieged by the Arab tribes of the neighbourhood, and that others are coming to their assistance....
To his Sister
Cairo, May 9, 1884.
My dear Minny, —... Although getting on for the middle of May, we are having the most enjoyable weather.... We have had a few bouts of the Khamsun wind, which when it blows hard is also called the Simoom; it is a terribly hot, depressing wind, and its blast is like that of a furnace filling the air with dust, and giving the sun, when not obscuring it altogether, the appearance of a very dull moon.... Our political atmosphere is far more unsatisfactory, and must continue so until England adopts a more decided and energetic policy out here, which she does not seem inclined to do. I have been much occupied lately in
drawing up a report which the Government has called upon me to make, and which I have just sent home, of the best route for an expedition to Khartoum in the event of one being undertaken. It seems very likely that an expedition will be organised later in the year to extricate Gordon. The undertaking will be a very serious one, owing to the distance, climate, and want of water. For instance — as regards distance — from Cairo to Khartoum by the Nile is 1600 miles; should troops have to go by that route it would take more than four months. Another possible route is from the port of Massowah along the portion of Abyssinia which would bring you not far south of Khartoum. — Ever yours affectionately, Fredk. Stephenson.
To his Brother
Cairo, May 21, 1884.
My dear William, —... The situation in this part of the world does not improve as time goes on, and it is extremely difficult to make out what the Government policy is. So far as I can see, their one object is to shake themselves clear of Egypt as quickly as they can and almost at any price. But it is doubtful whether they have been going the right way to work to effect this end; on the contrary, they have been forced by public opinion into action which has been neither well timed nor properly thought out. This country is now in a very unsettled and unsatisfactory state; it is entirely without any government: our own does not assume sufficient authority; it dictates pretty freely to that of the Khedive (but without taking any decisive measures of its own), which it almost paralyses. Baring is away, and Clifford Lloyd's control of reforms is at an end. He goes away in a day or two, leaving the Home Department with its unorganised police, and local administration of the provinces in a condition of formation and reconstruction. In fact, our Government seem to be giving up
1 884] DISTRUST OF THE FRENCH 321