Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-01-12
A MOMENTOUS MEET
WAS THAT OF THE nRITIsH CADI-
NET HELD YESTERDAY In
LONDON.
some Ugly Charges Made Against q
woman-Mnrlboroun to the
Front Again,

by the Associated Press. jim view OF
the assembling of British fleets for
active service and the many clouds
lowering over the horizon OF politics,
the cabinet meeting held at Downing
street to-day Is entitled to rank as one
OF the most momentous In the history
Great Britain. The ministers had to
decide several questions of vital Inn
portance TO the British empire, includ-
ing the Transvaal, Armenian and Ven-
ezuelan difficulties and Great Britaln's
position toward the old European
powers. 1t is Il striking fact that al
though the present cabinet is one of
the largest on record. 1t Is unanimous
upon all the leading questions under
discussion. The central figure among
the ministers is undoubtedly Joseph
abused Radical leader, whose able
treatment Of the colonial difficulties
has excited the admiration of even his
most virulent opponents.
1t is impossible not to remark the
wonderful change of feeling toward
him In the Radical press, which was
| wont to couple every mention Of his
name with the eplthet Judas" Now
| the Radical leaders have but the
warmest eulogies for the secretary OF
state for the colonies and he might al
| most be described as popular nero
/ al the present time.
| The latest advices from the Trans
vaal would seem on their face to indi-
cate that the situation Is in no way as
| hopeful as 1t was couple of days
! ago, In spite OF official statements to
| the contrary, and II Is believed that
the cabinet is considering most un-
| looked for demands upon the part of
| President Kruger, demands which 1t
| Is lntimated Great Britain cannot pos
| slbly concede. The reports generally
| believed to be true OF the deadlock
| the negotiations between Sir Hercules
! Robinson, governor of Cape Colony
| and President Krenger ut Pretoria,
| show the gravity of the situation there
and may account for much of the war
Ike preparations being made by Great
| Britain.
on the stock exchange to-day there
| was credited rumors that the govern
| ment inquiry into events which Gull
| minated in DIR. Jamltson's raid into
! the Transvaal Will lead to the start
! ling revelation that the whole plot was
/ Matched by n group of flnOnciers In
London. including several parvenus
| with colossal fortunes, but with UNI
| savOry regulations. In addition the
statement is made by a financial ptL-
per that Barney Barnato, the so-called
| "Kailr king who has considerable
to SELL the same TO the British gov
ernment, which Is considerlng the mat
tiers, This may explain the reported
purchase OF DelagOu bay from Portu-
sal by the government of Great Brit
ain.
The war-llke telling against Ger
many has greatly subsidized and the is
sues OF the trouble are freely describ-
ed as q rebuff for Emperor William,
inasmuch as tie German newspapers
have changed their tone and the pa
pers printing what was regarded as
inspired articles and which at first
threatened great Britain are now dis
tlncily climbing down.
Another feature OF the situation Is
the feeling that France. although she
would perhaps like to see Great Bit
ain seriously injured, would never al
low Germany TO win, but would seek
pretext while Germany was crippled
to secure revenge for 1901.
The Economist. discussing the effects
which an Anglo-Germhn war would
have on the commerce OF the two pow
ers points out that while Great Britain
Will he deprived of several pieces OF
her former commerce Germany would
lose heavily. II was added that none
of the British industries are absolutely
dependent upon German purchases and
that they all have a number Of larger
markets elsewhere, where they could
expand II German competition was ar
rested. On the other hand, In the case
Of Germany, a war with Great Britain
would spoil at least one OF her indus
tries sugar, for which she would find
no compensation elsewhere and the ex-
clusion OF her products from foreign
markets would give Great Britain OPP
portunities OF pushing her trade there,
which would more than offset any loss
of business with Germany herself, while
to her IL would be u double loss.
According to the Westminster Ga
zette Germany's attitude ON the Ar
menian question has allenatad Great
Britain and the MARQUIS OF SALISBURY.
1t IS said. suggested an International
agre cement by which Russia was to be
trusted with the paclncation OF Ar
menia.
France and Italy. It IL said. were
willing. but the proposition collapsed
through the opposition OF Germany.
Russia, 1t appears. would have con.
scented had the proposal been Endorsed
by all the powers.
Now when Great Britain Is found 10
have been confronted with the demand
OF Germany to pass an RrmrA fn-re
through the territory of friendly pow
| err for the purpose OF bringing tr1ops
Into the Transvaal. IL became evident
according to the Westminster Gazette
that there must be a change in the
direction of Great Brltalu's European
lennlng' and the result has been the
re-approachment with France.
Continuing, the Westminster Gazette
says there Is absolutely no intention
to enter the Franco Russian alliance
but Great Britain has become, It Is
hoped. better friends with both France
and Russia Discussing the Transvaal
situation the Westminster Gazette re-
CARDS the alleged demands OF the Beers
for compensation with skepticlsm, and
adds:
"It Is n trivial question, almost as
insignificant ns the ownership OF q
swamp on either side of the Schom.
bu-gt line
The most serious Significance OF to-
dnys cabinet meeting IL The fact tina,
i II mnrks the first step In what might be
aallad the NATURALIZATION of Qraat p.If.