The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-09
The Whole British Army Ready
tor Mobilization.
AGAINST GERMAN EMPIRE
Squadron of Eight Warships Or
dered to Delagoa Bay.
ADMIRAL BEDFORD ON HIS WAY
All Britain lncensed at Emperor VIII
Iiams' Action and the War Spirit
Hovers Over the Whole
Kingdom.
Kingdom.

| London, Jan. S.-The gravity of the
political crisis here is increasing in
stead of diminishing. The attitude of
| Emperor William towards Great Bri-
| tain in the matter of DIR. Jamesons
| free booting expedition into the
Transvaal, upon closer study, seems to
have been deliberate and long and
carefully planned.
The Transvaal incident, it would APP
pear 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 aggrandizement in
Africa, and her little misunderstand-
ing with King Prempeh of Ashanti,
together with her support of Italy's
warfare against Abyssinians are be-
lieved to have been the irritating feat
ures which finally induced his Ma
jesty TO show his hand.
OF course, this is only sample of the
rumors in circulation, here; but it
shows the drift of the wind and has
served to incense the British to a de-
gree not witnessed since the war with
Russia was threatened some years ago.
To make matters worse it is reported
that the Transvaal republic will de-
mand an indemnity of 81, 100000 from
Great Britain as one of the results of
DIR. Jameson's invasion, of the little
| Dutch republic. If this turns out to
| be the case. no doubt will be enter
| tanned that Emperor William in his re-
cent interviews with DIR. w j. Leyds,
| the Secretary of State of the Trans
vaal, prompted this step and may also
| have announced his intention of sup
| porting it.
Dispatches from Berlin announce that
Emperor William had an important
conference this morning with DR.. Ka-
ser, chief of the Colonial office, and
| that further dispatches have been ex-
| changed between Berlin and Pretoria
| Great Britain is evidently determined
not to be caught until prepared for
war. The report that orders have been
| sent to Portsmouth, Devonport and
| Chatham for the immediate commits
soining of flying squadron of war
| ships is confirmed his afternoon and
has caused profound impression in
all circles. The flying squadron is or
| derer to be ready for sea by January H.
| Tuesday next 1t will consist of the
| following ships:
Revenge, frst-class battle ship. 14,150
| tons.
Royal Oak. first-class battle ship
| 1880 tons.
Gibraltar. frst-elass steel cruiser
7,700 tons.
Theseus, frst-class steel cruiser,
1880 tons.
Charybdis, second-class steel cruis-
| er, 1850 tons.
Hermionc, second-class steel cruis-
| er, 1860 tons.
I'm addition Admiral Sir Frederick
George Denham Bedford, in command
| of the Cape of Good Hope and West
| African station, has been ordered to
proceed to Delagoa Bay on board the
Flagship st. George, a irst-class steel
cruiser 7,700 tons, and he is now on
| his way there. accompanied by an
other cruiser with all possible speed.
The German Emperor, ii appears, had
planned to land force of Germans at
Delagoa Bay in order TO assist the
| Beers against the British and only
desisted from so doing when lie learned
OF DR.. Jameson's defeat and capture.
This. it is claimed, is proof that his
message 10 President Kruger, con-
graduating him on his victory over
the British and his Maiesty's reported
w IL " ~ ~ , ''''s tf'N
Secretary Of the Transvaal, that Ger
many refused to recognize any suzer-
ainty over the Transvaal were well
weighed moves and the result of
pre-arranged policy.
The military authorities no longer
attempt to conceal the fact that they
are actively preparing for the possi
bility of war. All the regiments of
~ T.s+ pni
unteers, militia, etc.-have been order
ed to make mediate returns of their
strength for mobilization. but, as yet,
no further steps in this direction have
been deemed necessary.
Without desiring to be in any way
sensational, it can safely be said that
the war spirit is lowering over the
British Empire and that the people of
| all classes are eagerly supporting the
government in resenting the attitude
| of Germany towards Great Britain.
The Press is unanimous in its APP
proval of the preparations of the naval
| and military authorities and the news
papers of all shades of opinion agree
as to the manner in which Germany's
attitude must be met.
The Globe, for example, says this
afternoons: "There is absolutely no
difference of opinion among Britons in
their keen resentme of the wholly un-
provoked affront put upon this proud
land by Emperor William and his fool
hardy counsellors Instead of work
ing England harm with the Americans
the Emperor's insolent interference
hasrevived the feeling of kinship and is
making easier a friendly arrangement
From Capetown to-day the news is