If General Gordon is of opinion that the prospect of his early departure diminishes the chance of accomplishing his task, and that by staying at Khartoum himself for any length of time which he may judge necessary he would be able to establish a settled Government at that place, he is at liberty to remain there. In the event of his being unable to carry out this suggestion, he should evacuate Khartoum and save that garrison by conducting it himself to Berber without delay. CROSS PURPOSES (1884). =Source.=--_Parliamentary Papers_, "Egypt," No. 13 of 1884, C 3,970. _P. 9. Sir E. Baring to Earl Granville. Cairo, April 8, 1884._ In a telegram from Khartoum, General Gordon says: I wish I could convey to you my impressions of the truly trumpery nature of this revolt, which 500 determined men could put down. Be assured, for present, and for two months hence, we are as safe here as at Cairo. If you would get, by good pay, 3,000 Turkish infantry and 1,000 Turkish cavalry, the affair, including crushing of Mahdi, would be accomplished in four months. _P. 12. Sir E. Baring to Earl Granville. Cairo, April 18, 1884._ Lately I have been sending telegrams to Berber to be forwarded to Gordon. Since communication between Berber and Khartoum was cut, his telegrams to me have taken from a week to ten days. My telegrams to him appear to have taken even longer, and some, I think, have not reached him at all. _The Same, Later._ I have received another telegram from Gordon.... It is most unfortunate that of all the telegrams I have sent to him only one very short one appears to have reached him. He evidently thinks he is to be abandoned, and is very indignant. =Source.=--_Parliamentary Papers_, "Egypt," C 3,998 of 1884. _P. 1. Gordon to Baring. Telegraphic. Khartoum, April 16, 1884, 5.15 p.m._ As far as I can understand, the situation is this: you state your intention of not sending any relief up here or to Berber, and you refuse me Zobeir. I consider myself free to act according to circumstances. I shall hold on here as long as I can, and if I can suppress the rebellion I shall do so. If I cannot, I shall retire to the Equator, and leave you indelible disgrace of abandoning garrisons of Senaar, Kassala, Berber, and Dongola, with the certainty that you will be eventually forced to smash up the Mahdi under great difficulties if you would retain peace in Egypt. =Source.=--_Parliamentary Papers_, "Egypt," C 3,970 of 1884. _P. 15. Earl Granville to Mr. Egerton, April 23, 1884._