The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-12


NEW YORK, Jan. IA special to the
World from London says: Nothing is so
strictly guarded in England as the proceed
ings of a Cabinet meeting Nothing would be
so criminal as leak concerning its action;
all the power of the government would be
exerted to unmask the traitor. Any revela-
ton of what occurred at the meeting Of the
Cabinet until the Ministers are ready to
confide the information to the public is
practically impossible. 1t is certainly one
of the most momentous meetings in the
couptry's history for the government must
doubtless have decided England's course in
the present unparalleled situation of hos
tile union of every country in Europe
against the British empire. Until the other
day, the country seemed secure in the gen.
eral understanding that England was
silent partner In the triple alliance. The
has shattered all that at a blow.
England cannot fight single hand
ed against Europe and Russia
with the United States Will she, there
fore, make overtures to Russia with the
Franco-Russian alliance thrown in? 1t is
which prevails in London and apparently
throughout the empire since the publica-
ton of the KaiSers telegram. The Times
gave the first threat of it in its first days
comments ON the Kaiser's message to Pres
ident Kruger, of the Transvaal. The press
has taken 1t up, and gray-headed generals
and subalterns in the clubs, members Of
Parliament and others of influence who a
fortnight ago would have nothing but war
If Russia sought Port Arthur, now proclaim
that Russia shall have Constantinople or
If 1t please her better, such seaportS as
she may ask for in the Persian gulf. Aid
to France in recovering Alsace ana Lor-
raine is publicly advocated. The complete
and instant revolution in the sentiment of
a century's growth is startling, and, of
course, momentously significant.
What is. indeed, the German Emperors
underlying motive? 1t is personal to this
degree, that he is VIGOROUSLY on bad terms
with the male members of the British royal
family and resents the lordly manner of
Cowes and In the English court. This has
undoubted influence with the young auto
crat of Germany, and the personal hatreds
Of autocratic sovereigns have led to many
wars in the past. There is another personal
to arrange the marriage of his
Queen Wilhelmina of Holland and the
possible union of her kingdom thereby with
the German empire, giving Germany Hol-
haps his expressed sympathy for the Dutch
Beers is meant to influence their relatives
in Holland. But the unanimous and en-
thusiastic support he got from all Ger
many shows that his hostile telegram x
pressed the feeling OF his people, whose
enmity. to England is spurred by com
England has pre-empted the best country
everywhere.
The colony desire of German people,
though born only since the war of 1870. is
now the most passionate of all their aspira-
TONS Bismarck always opposed this colo
NAL idea and his organ, the Hamburger
Nachrichten sounded the only really peace
full note among the German press this week.
Personally hostile to England, as the Iron
Chancellor was he appreciated the certain
injury, with no compensation TO Germany,
of conflict with her.
If the story of the Kaiser's pacificatory
letter to the Queen is true, we may consider
that confronted with England's readiness
for war; her immediate preparations and the
certain direful consequences to Germany,
the Kaiser has thought better of his first
angry impulse and is asking that by-gones
be by-gones. But he is not likely to come
to Cowes next autumn. If he and his grand
mother meet as is now arranged at the
Coburg wedding in April, there may be an
other OF the royal family lectures for which
her Majesty is famous.