The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-01-09
1t Has Grown Very Formidable
in the Empire Of the
English.
Interference of the German En-.
perOr in African Affairs
the Cause.
Preparations for Possible Hos
tilities No Longer Secret--A
Flying Squadron.

LONDON, Jan. 9.-The gravity Of the
political crisis here is increasing instead
Of diminishing. The attitude of EN-
peror William towards Great Britain in
the matter of DIR. Jameson's free
booting expedition into the Transvaal,
upon closer study seems to have been
deliberate and long and carefully
planned. The Transvaal incident, it
would appear, was only the pretext
seized upon by the emperor, in order to
enter the field as an active opponent of
Great Britain's policy of aggrandize-
ment in Africa, and her little misun-
derstanding with King Prempeh of
Ashanti, together with her support of
Italy's warfare against Abyssinia are
believed to have been the irritating fea-
lures which finally induced his majesty
to show his hand. OF course this is
only a sample Of the rumors in circula-
ton here; but it shows the drift of the
wind, and has served to incense the
British to a degree not witnessed since
war with Russia was threatened some
years ago.
VIII Demand Big Indemnity.
To make matters worse, it is now re-
ported that the Transvaal republic will
demand an indemnity of 81, SOC, 600
from Great Britain as one Of the results
of DR.. Jameson's invasion of the little
Dutch republic. If this turns out to be
the case, no doubt will be entertained
that Emperor William in his recent in
terviews with DIR. w. J. Leyds, the Sec
retary of state Of the Transvaal,
prompted this demand, and may also
have announced his intention of sup.
porting it.
Under these circumstances, and in
view of the war preparations by land
and sea now being vigorously pushed
by Great Britain, it is not astonishing
that there was an ominous drop in con-
soils, which, as much as anything, is a
clear indication that the gravity Of the
political situation is not newspaper ex-
aggeration.
Dispatches from Berlin announce that
Emperor William has had an important
conference with DR.. Kayser, chief Of
the German colonial Office, and that
further dispatches have been exchanged
between Berlin and Pretoria.
Have Ordered q Flying Squadron.
Great Britain is evidently determined
not to be caught unprepared for war.
The report that orders have been sent
to Portsmouth, Davenport and Chatham
for the immediate commission Of fly
ing squadron of warships is confirmed,
and has caused profound impression
in all circles. The flying squadron is
ordered to be ready for sea by Jan. Ia,
Tuesday next. 1t will consist Of the
following ships:
Revenge, first class battle ship, IA, 100
tons; speed, 17la knots.
Royal Oak, first class battlesbip, A.
$50 tons; speed, II knots.
Gibraltar, first class steel cruiser, I, 700
tons; speed, 10 40 knots.
Thesus, first class steel cruiser, 1850
tons; speed, 20 knots.
Chary bdis, second class steel cruiser,
1880 tons; speed, 1877 knots.
Hermione, second class steel cruiser,
1850 tons; speed, 10 $40 knots.
Admiral Bedford or for Delagoa.
In addition, Admiral Sir Frederick
George Denham Bedford, in command
Of the Cape of Good Hope and West
Africa station, has been ordered to
proceed to Delagoa Bay OH board the
flagship st. George, first class steel
cruiser 1900 tons, and he is now on
his way there, accompanied with an
other cruiser, with all possible speed.
The German emperor, it appears,
had planned to land a force of Germans
at Delagoa Bay in order to assist the
Beers against the British and only de.
sisted from SO doing when he learned o1
DR.. Jameson's defeat and capture
This, it is claimed, is proof that hi
message to President Kruger congratu
lating him upon his victory over the
British and his majesty's reported an
nouncement to DR.. w. J. Leyds, the
secretary Of state for the Transvaal
that Germany refused to recognize any
suzerainty over the Transvaal, were
well weighed moves and the result Of 8
prearranged policy.
Admiral Bedford has also been in
structed to report Immediately to the
admiralty what additional steps arr
necessary to reinforce his squadron, ant
they will be sent to him as promptly a.
possible.
Preparations No Longer a Secret.
The military authorities no longer
attempt to conceal the fact that they
are actively preparing for the possibility
of war. All the regiments of th'
British army (army reserve, volun
teers, militia, etc. have been orderet
to make immediate returns of thei
strength for mobilization; but, as yet
no further steps in this direction hav
been deemed necessary.
Among the volunteers and militi