New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-12
fBy CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
copufght: 1896; BY The Tribune Assocfdtfon.

Copnfqht: 1896; by The Tribune Assocfdtfon
London. Jan. 1.-THE Cabinet meeting to-day
was preceded by the announcement that the Ed
peror had received a letter from the Queen ano
answered 1t in a conciliatory tone. possibly .
the effect that, like President Cleveland, he dio
not mean as much as he seemed 10 say. That u
the press version but the text of this correspond.
ence between the royal grandmother and her eid'
est grandson is not yet disclosed. What Is evi-
dent Is that some hitch has occurred In the Trans
vaal over the release of Jameson. and that the
main nurpose of the Cabinet meeting was TO dis
cuss the indemnity and other demands Of Kruger.
II Is also plain that Cecil Rhodes has been de-
serted by his recent ally in Cape Colony, MI HOY
,navr who as leader Of the Dutch element. offers
aid TO Mr. Chamberlain in finding out where tho
responsibility for Jamesons raid belongs, even
If the secrets of financial speculation and per-
sonal rule disclosed.
The week closes with militant feeling rampant
and the prospect that Lord Salisbury may be less
inclined to be conciliatory to America than no
| would have been If Mr.. Chamberlain mad nos
| commanded so much attention ana the pohcy oS
| armaments had not proved so popular. stra"
| showing which way the wind is blowing Is the
meeting called for the Authors Society TO ascer.
tain who was responsible for the address recently
sent out 10 America in favor of arbitration and
prominent authors. There is a marked change OF
tone respecting arbitration with America the
| popularity of the lingo demonstration against
Germany has had a stimulating effect; the ordi-
nary Englishman seems afraid that he may DO
unpatriotic If he be tpo concatory to America,
especially when flying squadron is ready Tor
cruise to La Guayra and another one equaliy
strong can be commissioned at days notice
The English have talked about war with Ger.
many as though they really wanted TO ngnt'
| The tone was markedly different from tnat In
| ,ybicb they talked abou. war with America three
| vaaks ago for that was a campaign for which
| they had no heart The Emperors ill-timed dis-
| match to President Kruger. when the Colonia'
| Office was doing its full duty In Loyalty sup
| porting the treaty obligation in circumstances
| Of extreme difficulty, irrtated every Enghsn'
| man except. possibly Mr.. Iabouchere. The Ad-
miralty orders were received everywhere wlta
public rejoicing. IT'S time to show the world"
said every spirited Englishman. that we are nos
afraid OF Germany or any other Power" Ger.
! tainly a splendid demonstration was onerea'
| England is prepared at moments notice io'
| naval war on tremendous scale, but, or course.
| thera will be no war Germany will not provoke
a naval duel: the Berlin press is already explain-
| ing away the Emperors dispatch. and the appli'
cation to Portugal for the passage OF marines 10
Delagoa Bay.
Until this afternoon the situation in the Trans
vaal seemed gradually clearing. President hru-
ger no longer has pretex for refusing to release
Jameson and the prisoners, since Johannesburg
is disarmed ard quiet; but ne holds MS
hostages until definite terms are arranged. NE
Chamberlain has many enemies; but no Voics
is now heard against him; he receives ho'h'hs
bur eulogy from radicals and Cnonists alike for
1 fty WI
displayed in a momentous crisis. His compre-
hensive grasp Of a complex situation from the
outset has been wonderful, and his prestige -
| enormously increased in consequence of the re-
| marka BILE ability he has shown in averting dis
astrous civil war in South Africa and complca-
tons with Germany While he consulted LORD
Salisbury constantly Mr. Chamberlain is gener-
ally credited with having acted on his own Judg-
ment with the energy peculiarly his own. Men
are saying every day that Mr. Chamberlain VIII
yet be Prime Minister. Stranger things nave
happened in English politics. Certainly he IS De-
coming the Queens favorte Minister; she treats
| him like another Beaconsfield.
His work in South Africa is hardly more than
begun; what remains unfinished is arduous and
perplexing When Jameson is released the Gov
ernment is under obligation to punish him, but
lawyers agree that the extreme penalty under the
Foreign Enlistment act does not exceed iiie' oE
two years Imprisonment. Jameson not in
the Queens service. guilty of treason, unless
the Transvaal. where he made war. be considered
her dominion a theory repugnant to the Beers.
Half England and all English South Africa have
forgotten already that he dsobeyed the Queen
and invaded friendly State in violation OF
treaties. The Chartered Company also will re-
quire drastic treatment. by which its military
functions will be withdrawn and its vast terri
tory of 500 600 square miles will be brought di-
rectly under the control Of the Crown officials.
Krugers demands of indemnity for losses ana
security against future assault from Enghsn
settlers and political raiders must also be set
tied The arrest Of Colonel Rhodes and other
ringleaders in Johannesburg must be dealt WIN
and the clemency OF President Kruger bargaineo
70, in some way Some concession must also be
made to the Uitanders. and-the most dimcuit
task Of all-tWo races between whom oiooo
feud has been rekindled must be recoEclled atter
one has suffered outrage ana the other 4 o''-
astrous defeat. Pandora's box has been opened
in the Colonial Office. The bitterest enemies OF
Mr. Chamberlain can AFFORD to praise hin.
for he has harassing and almost Impossible TASKS
before him. What will be the ultimate opinion
Gin South Africa concerning him nobody can fore
cast.
as the details Of the mscaculatad raid are
critically studied. five men are shown TO nave
summoned Jameson Johannesburg did not eau
MIN to its rescue but when the tidings OF the
march were received the town armed itself for
defence and then made an armlstice With Krd-
ger and did nothing 10 nelp It's rescuer The
feeling Of resentment against Johannesburg for
leaving jameson to fight the battle alone II
natural in South Africa but hardly logical In
England Why should Jameson be censured for
defying the Queens authority. and Johannes
burg be reproached for having needed the I'm
perial proclamation warning people against re-
belling against the Transvaa and joining him
In arms? South Africa may yet hold Mr.. Cham