From C. G. Gordon to W. E. Darwin 26 March 1880

My dear Darwin,

The issues at stake for the future of our country are so momentuous, and so far apart from any question as to whether Conservatives or Liberals govern our country, that I feel that I am justified in addressing you, on the present policy with respect to the last.

Many able men have shewed forth the fallacy of the arrangements made at Berlin, in order to maintain the integrity, of Turkish rule, they have printed out how impossible it would be, for the Turks to occupy the Balkans, sandwiched as they would be between the Bulgarians of Bulgaria and those of Roumelia; the great loss, which we incurred in not having allured the formation of an entire Bulgaria, with its sympathy with England, instead of with Russia. I need not touch on the surrender of Batrum, and the fine independent tribes in its neighbourhood, the acquisition of useless Cyprs, and the perfectly impossible reforms reforms to be carried out in Asia Minor.

My object is to state emphatically, that it is perfectly, in vain to hope for any reform in the Turkish Government, I know I am stating what everyone knows, as truism, the Turkish Government could not reform, even if it wished to do so.

Hobart Pacha, Baker Pacha know as well as I do, that any promises are worth nought, from the Turks.

Why do we not acknolwedge that we have been fooled; that the Turkish Government is impossible, and act accordingly; It is not a question of parties   why continue a game of brag, which every military man, who has any cognizance of the East, laughs at. I consider our present policy, is that of a deceitful friend to Turkey; by it, we allure her to her destruction, while pretending friendship.

I believe that a clear understanding with France could be come to, by which France, occupying Syria, and serving as a buffer between us, and Russia, would give us permanent sway in Egypt, Constantinople being a free state Bulgaria united having a part and an enlarged Greece. You may appear astounded at this proposition, yet it is sure to be accomplished in this country.

Why trouble ourselves to go and meet Russia in Asia Minor. Russia has America in her hands virtually at this moment.

Our object is to consolidate our position on the road to India, and our thoughts should be, in what way we can best do so. Certainly we cannot do so, with futile efforts, in Asia Minor, or in Persia, it is better to be strong in Egypt, Red sea, and Persian Gulf.

Believe me | C. G. Gordon

Paris 26. March 1880. [MAP ENCLOSED in envelope]