Nor was the adoption of that policy by the English Government by
any means out of the question. For, in the meantime, events had
been taking place in the Eastern Sudan, in the neighbourhood of
the Red Sea port of Suakin, which were to have a decisive effect
upon the prospects of Khartoum. General Baker, the brother of Sir
Samuel Baker, attempting to relieve the beleaguered garrisons of
Sinkat and Tokar, had rashly attacked the forces of Osman Digna,
had been defeated, and obliged to retire. Sinkat and Tokar had
then fallen into the hands of the Mahdi's general. There was a
great outcry in England, and a wave of warlike feeling passed
over the country. Lord Wolseley at once drew up a memorandum
advocating the annexation of the Sudan. In the House of Commons
even Liberals began to demand vengeance and military action,
whereupon the Government dispatched Sir Gerald Graham with a
considerable British force to Suakin. Sir Gerald Graham advanced,
and in the battles of El Teb and Tamai inflicted two bloody
defeats upon the Mahdi's forces. It almost seemed as if the
Government was now committed to a policy of interference and
conquest; as if the imperialist section of the Cabinet were at
last to have their way. The dispatch of Sir Gerald Graham
coincided with Gordon's sudden demand for British and Indian
troops with which to 'smash up the Mahdi'.
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