The record-union., 1896-01-10


was two days old, showing that the tel
clearing up old business or that the
Government still refuses to allow the
transmission of news dispatches.
Much interest is manifested here to-
day in the receipt of intelligence that
will show the attitude of the Hon. Cecil
Rhodes, lately Prime Minister of Cape
Colony, who is strongly suspected of
having much to do with the dispatch
of DR.. Jameson's forces to the Trans
vaal. But until the normal condition
of the telegraphic service is resumed
nothing on this point can be stated
definitely, and nothing but speculation
can be indulged in. On the continent
it is openly charged that not only was
Rhodes fully aware of the movements
of DR.. Jameson, but that the British
Government was also aware of what
was going on. Had the raid been sue
cessful Great Britain, according to the
belief in Europe, would have stepped
in and occupied the country, ostensibly
to protect her subjects, but really to es-
tablish an occupation similar to that
in Egypt, which is tantamount to the
annexation of the country
AS the raid resulted in a most miser-
able failure, the British Government
is accused of attempting to forestall
condemnation by emphatically denying
any prior knowledge of the matter and
OF taking measures to prevent departure
of the expedition after it knew it had
departed and had resulted in failure.
OF course, these statements are de-
MED here, and the Government news
papers insist that Mr.. Chamberlain,
the Colonial Secretary, has acted all
through with clean hands. At any rate,
it can be said, so far as the Transvaal
is concerned, that the Government has
done everything in its power to prevent
the raid from affecting any more than
possible the relations between Great
Britain and the South African Republic.
But that the troubles have affected
the British foreign relations, more par
ticularly those with Germany, there is
no denial Since the fact became known
that Emperor William had, before the
Jameson raid, decided to intervene in
the Transvaal, the feeling against Ger
many has greatly increased in bitter
ness. The naval preparations now being
made meet with the fullest popular ap
proVal, and the more fiery among those
who are in favor of war declare that
the time has come for. Great Britain to
assert herself in her might and teach
Germany that she will brook no in
reference with her suzerainty in the
TransvaaI. Those of calmer blood hold
that court interference, which, against
any hostility toward Germany, will be
sufficiently powerful to prevent an out
break, does not and cannot control the
popular demand, which is decidedly in
favor of warfare.
A dispassionate view of the situation
leads to the belief, however, that the ex-
citement will soon die away and mat
ters resume their normal condition.
The naval preparations, however, are
proceeding apace. In addition to the
flying squadron, which has been ordered
to be put in readiness, instructions were
issued to-day for the immediate COM
missioning of twenty torpedo-boat de-
stroyers.
All these preparations, together with
the mobilization of the land forces, do
not necessarily mean that there will be
war. In well-informed circles it is be-
lieved that they simply mean that the
Government is on the alert against any
emergency that may arise, and should
conditions demand it will be ready to
strike a swift blow against any enemy.
The best criterion of the situation is
to be found at the Stock Exchange,
where the tone and prices respond to
every touch of fear or hope. This morn
ing the markets displayed a sanguine
tone, and consols advanced from yes
terday's closing prices. Later there
was slight decline, but on the whole
there was an advance as compared with
the values of yesterday.
Altogether, it can be said that there
appears to be an improvement in the
situation, and unless new and unfore-
seen difficulties arise, it is thought the
pending questions will be settled diplo-
matieally and not by war.
ONLY A POSSIBLE EMERGENCY.
LONDON, Jan. 9.-The Daily News
will record the activity that is being
displayed by military officers, and will
declare that certainly complete meas
ures are being taken to organize the
military force, even to the nomination
of a General to command and the pro-
visional selection of a staff 1t will add
that urgent haste is not being shown,
but that rather only preparations are
being made for a possible emergency.
The Morning Post" will say that one
torpedo-boat destroyer will be allotted
to each battle-ship and cruiser belong
ing to the channel fleet and the flying
squadron. The paper remarks with sig
nificance that Germany has the
stronger fiotilla of torpedo-boats, it be-
ing believed that she possesses 112,
against Great Britain's %.
The Post" will also say it UNDER
stands that the Cabinet has been sum-
moned to meet on Saturday.
TO GIVE UP ITS GUNS.
LONDON, Jan. 9.-The British South
African Company has ordered its Off
ciaIs in South Africa to deliver all the
guns and ammunition in their possess
sion to the officers of the Imperial Gov
ernment
CHAMBERLAIN TO KREUGER.
LONDON, Jan. 9.-Joseph Chamber
lain, Secretary of State for the Colonies,
has sent the following telegram to Pres
ident Krueger of the South African
Republic:
Il have received the command of the
Queen to acquaint you with the fact
that her majesty has heard with salts
faction that you have turned over DR..