The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-14
RATHER CONTRADICTORY.
While Germany Did Not Threaten She
Made Overtures TO Portugal

Made Overtures to Portugal
London, January 1S.--(Copyiighted 1896.
by the Associated Press. )---It seems pretty
well established in the public mind that
Emperor William did not mean TO threaten
war on England by his message of sym
pathy to President Kruger and the re-
ports which were circulated few days
ago OF ii European alliance back OF Ger
many and against England find little
credence. 1t seems to be accepted that
tho German emperor simply intended TO
express his own opinion OF the Jameson
raid In the message and the temporary
sentiment of irritation which II had
caused him.
This is the general feeling of the public
mind ana those organs OF the public which
are in touch with the government have
undoubtedly sought to deepen this Inn
preston.
But this stlll leaves unexplained the
uncontradicted assertion that the German
government did apply to Portugal for per-
mission 10 pass marines through Portu-
guese territory at Delagoa bay to the
Transvaal. nor does it explain the unflag-
cling preparation of war material and
equipment II war forces In England.
OF more force seems the argunis Of
some newspapers that the wavering sup
port of Russia and France has admouished
tho German war lord that the interpreta-
tlon put upon his message by England was
putting him into a hazardous position.
Whether this or some other consldera.
tion has altered the situation IL Is. GER
tain that tho diplomatic agents of all
the governments of Europe have beer
kept busy in the last few weeks. and I,
is expected that the full result of their
labors is not In the knowledge of the
public.
That England has had vision of de.
struction of the balance of power" in
Europe with herself in the descending
scale is certain. Whether she has made
other strokes In the hidden field of dplo-
macy besides her formidable show o.
naval force IL not yet known.
The first feelings of assurances owe
the better situation OF the relations with
Germany Is met by notes of warning that
there are still possible seeds for much
rsncor and danger IN the situation IN
tho Transynal and that tho Venezuelan
question is. after all, not yet settled. nor
any basis agreed upon for It's settle
ment.
Interest in the great naval preparations
however, continues to absorb the public
mind. a report which has been circulated
to the effect that the government intends
to mobilize the forces is In circulation
tonight. hut instructions from the wa
department have recently been sent to
all commanders of vounteer regiments
asking them to return the probable mum
her Of volunteers that could bo modified
and to take the arrangements that would
be necessary for doing so,
AT Woowlch. below London, on thu
Thames the great arsenal which covers
one hundred acres OF ground. Is receiving
constant additions to its great stores oil
Laval material and the activity In al
DEPARTMENTS there is undated The tor
pc1o factory is increasing its output and
the men in that department are working
many hours overtime Thu torpedoes, AZ
fast as they are manufactured. are dis
patched to Portsmouth and Dover. the for.
mer the principal naval station of Eng
land with n fortified harbor that viii flr.'
the whole OF the English navy. md the
latter the chief port OF communication
between England and the continent IT,
government intends. II is announced. to
have those well supplied with torpedo
boats ana with torpedo destroyers.
One feature OF the war scare which
IL much dwelt upon here. is the harm
It has done to the German trade. Ger
man import houses here announce that
there has been n big decrease In their
orders since the scare. The orders Of one
big fancy dry goods firm 1t Is announced
have decreased co per cent. II Is feared
that the quarrel will result I'm per
mancnt injury 10 the trade.