that it has never been brought to the knowledge of the Mahdi and of the Soudanese who are engaged in military operations what the object of the mission of General Gordon is, he will consider the feasibility of conveying to them that Her Majesty's Government, {215} in sending an English General to the Soudan, only desired to effect by peaceful means the withdrawal of the Egyptian troops, employés, and other foreigners who many wish to leave the country, and whether he will take steps to enter into diplomatic relations with the Mahdi, or whomsoever else may be the governing power in the Soudan, in order to prevent if possible all further effusion of blood, to establish a fixed frontier between Egypt and the Soudan, and to effect an arrangement by which General Gordon and those who may wish to accompany him will be enabled peaceably to withdraw from the Soudan."[18] Mr. Gladstone replied to Mr. Labouchere's question, finishing his remarks with these words: "Whatever measures the Government take will be in the direction indicated by the question--to make effective arrangements with regard to putting all the difficulties at an end." Mr. Labouchere, to whom, as a Radical and a Nationalist, the position of the Mahdi appealed, did not confine himself to work in Parliament. Mr. Wilfrid Blunt was attempting to negotiate with Mr. Gladstone to stop the war, which had followed Gordon's death, and had taken Mr. Labouchere into his confidence. Mr. Labouchere wrote to Mr. Blunt on February 20, 1885, as follows: DEAR BLUNT,--I had a talk with H(erbert) G(ladstone) last night. He wants to know what evidence can be given--that the man who came to me was Arabi's Minister of Police at Cairo, and what was his name--and that the Mahdi's man is the Mahdi's man. It is clear that so far he is right. If the latter has no credentials he should get them. Let us assume that he either has them or can get them. Then there must be a basis of terms. I would suggest then that the Soudan, with the exception of the Port of Suakim, be recognised as an independent state under, if wished, the suzerainty of the Sultan, and that all Egyptian Pashas who wish to leave it be allowed to leave it. If the credentials hold water, and if these terms are agreed to, {216} then the Mahdi's man should write them out and say that he will agree to them. But it is very essential that nothing should be known about the matter. I should have to work others in the Cabinet, and, if necessary, to appeal to Parliament. Clearly we could not send a mission to the Mahdi, but if an agreement were come to, an emissary from the Mahdi and one from our Government might meet for details. What I want is to establish a discussion with the Mahdi--the rest would follow.--Yours truly, H. LABOUCHERE. P.S.--You see, if something is to be done to stop this war, we must leave the vague, and come to hard and fast facts.