The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1896-01-13
PREPARING FORSPRING
The Assembling of British
Fleets for Service.
CABINET MEETING IN LONDON
The Ministers Had to Decide Several
Questions OF Vital Importance
to the British Empire.

LONDON, Jan. 11.-In view of the as
sembling of British fl cts for active SER
vice, and the many clouds lowering over
the horizon of politics, the cabinet meet
ing today is entitled to rank as one of
the most momentous in the history Of
Great Britain. The ministers had to de-
eide several questions of vital importance
to the British empire, including the
Transvaal, Armenia and Venezuela diff
toward the old European powers. 1t is
striking fact that although the present
cabinet is one of the largest on record, it
is unanimous upon all the leading ques-
tions under discussion.
The latest advices from the Transvaal
would seem, on their face, to indicate
that the situation is in no way as hope
full as it was several days ago, in spite of
official statements to the contary, and it
is believed that the cabinet is consider
ing most unlooked-for demands upon the
part of President Kruger, demands
which it is estimated Great Britain can
not possibly concede.
On the stock exchange today there
were rumors that the government in
quiry will lead to the startling revelation
that the whole plot was Matched by
group of financiers in London. In addi-
ton, the statement is made by a fnan-
cial paper that Barney Barnato, the So
called "Ka6ir King" who has consider
able holding in Delagoa bay, has offered
to cell the same to the British govern
ment, which is considering the matter.
This may explain the reported purchase
of Delagoa bay from Portugal by the
government of Great Britain.
The war feeling against Germany has
greatly subsided, and the issue of the
trouble is freely described as a rebuff for
Emperor William, inasmuch as the Ger
and the papers printing what was re-
garded as inspired articles, and what
first threatened Great Britain, are now
distinctly climbing down.
Another feature of the situation is the
feeling that France, although she would
perhaps like to see Great Britain serious
ly injured, would never allow Germany
to win, but would seek pretext, while
Germany was crippled, to secure revenge
for 1901.
According to the Westminster Ga
zette, Germany's recent attitude on the
Armenian question has alienated Great
Britain and led to the reapproachment
of the latter country to France, and the
Marquis of Salisbury, it asserts, sug-
gested to the powers an international
agreement by which Russia was to be
entrusted with the pacIfcation of Arme-
mia. France and Italy, it is added, were
willing, but the proposition collapsed
through the opposition of Germany.
Discussing the Transvaal situation,
the Westminster Gazette regards the al
legged demands of the Beers for compen-
sation with skepticism, and adds:
SIT is trivial question, almost as in
significant as the ownership of swamp
on either side OF the Schombergk line.
Meanwhile, preparations for war are
being actively pushed by Great Britain,
although little is heard from Germany
on the same subject. Three thousand of
Lee -Mittford rifles have been received at
Chatham for the warships, which are be-
ing commissioned there to form part
of the flying squadron, and the supplies
of cartridges, shells, provisions and other
warlike supplies are being added to IN
all quarters every hour.