On Thursday the question of the Indian troops at Suakin
was debated in the House of Lords, Lord Onslow moving the necessary motion in a sensible and workmanlike speech. Of the ex-Indian Governors in the House, Lord Reay and tc some extent Lord Northbrook, were against the Government proposal, and Lord Lansdowne for it. The Doke of Argyll, as ex-Secretary of State, supported the policy of the Cabinet. Lord Salisbury's speech was able, and contained an amusing piece of contemporary history. When the Soudan expedition was first contemplated Lord Salisbury informed the House that he received a communication from the Sultan of Turkey offering to defend Suakin if we found it necessary to leave that place, "but that offer I declined." Lord Salisbury wisely insieted that these constant discussions must be put an end to. Early in the year, said Lord Salisbury, he laid before his colleagues a proposal for the appointment of a tribunal, which should be so impartially composed as to obtain the confidence of the taxpayers of both England and India, which should consider the relative interests and rights of the two portions of the Empire. When, however, they came to consider the details of the proposal they reached the conclusion that they could not carry such a scheme into effect until the Royal Commission, now considering the question of Imperial Defence, had made their report.
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