The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-11
LOOKS SERIOUS.
British Cabinet Orders First and
Second Naval Reserves
To Be In Readiness for Action
at Once.
All the Big War Vessels Ordered
to Assemble.
GERMAN MEDDLING
Will Not Be Endured in South
Africa
By the British Government In
This Instance.
KRUEGER'S DEMANDS
Seem to Grow Bigger From Day
to Day.
Now Wants a Large Cession Of
Territory.
English, Americans and Others
Won't Give Up Guns.
English, Americans and Others
Won't Give Up Guns.

LONDON, Jan. 11.-Great Britain Is
seriously and steadily preparing for war,
on very large scale, at sea and on land,
against Germany, or against Germany,
France and Russia, should they comb bine
against her.
Emperor William threw down the
| gauntlet, it was promptly picked up, and
energetic steps were Immediately taken
| by the British government to back up
this action by a most imposing display of
sea power.
The activity in the admiralty, war Of
fee and other offices called upon to take
part in the war preparations is remarka-
| BILE.
The gravity of the situation may be
| estimated from the fact that is asserted
that never before in history of nations
has there been witnessed so powerful q
naval armament as will be Assem- bled in
these waters shortly ready for attack or
| defense against Germany or the COM
bined powers of Europe.
The fleet being made ready for battle
will be composed exclusively of the very
fastest and newest British warships
afoat. and will be ready for sea on Tues
day next, and the entire channel squad
ron, commanded by Rear-Admiral Wal
| ter Kerr, with the flag ship Majestica,
asseem BILE off Portland on Jan. II.
The flying squadron which is to be
ready for sea next Tuesday, also rein
forced by six of the latest built torpedo
bouts, will assemble for final orders off
! Spit Head on January 16. The appoint
ment of Rear Admiral Alfred 1. Dete
to command the flying squadron is gen
orally approved. His flagship Captain.
the flagship Revenge. first class battle
ship of ,120 tons, will be captained by
the Hon. Asheton g. Curzon- Howe.
In connection with the prevailing war
spirit here, it is stated that the queen
has expressed the desire that the British
army and navy officers in future should
wear their uniforms only, putting away
their civilian clothes.
IL the mess-room of one of the war
ships hung big photograph of the en-
peror in the uniform of royal dragons
This picture after dinner WAS torn down
by number of the young officers and
thrown into the fire. 1t is said that the
German am bassador has taken the mat
ter up.
LONDON, Jan. 11.-AlI the ministers
were present at the abinet meeting to-
day and Mr. Joseph Chamberlain who
has returned from Osborne, where he
was received by the queen, was enthusi-
asticaliy greeted with cries of BRAVO
Chamberlain" from the crowds awaiting
developments in Downing street,
The cabinet meeting lasted three
hours.
The first naval reserve men have been
ordered to hold themselves in readiness
for service.
The second naval reserve which is
composed of men belonging to the Mer-
camille Marine, have been notified that
the services of some of them will shortly
be required.
A dispatch from johannesburg re-
ceived today but dated yesterday, SAYS
that the crisis in the TransvaaI is not
over. President Kruger and President
Hercules Robinson, the governor of Cape
Colony, have failed to agree upon a set
tlement of the matters in dispute.
1t is understood that the president in
sists upon the annulling of the conven-
tion of 1884, and that Amatongaland.
lately added to the territory of the colony
of Natal, be annexed to the Boer repub-
lie as an indemnity for Dr. Jane
If these reports are true the gravity of
the situation has increased, and the rea-
son for the Assem- bling of Great Britain's
feet may be found in the strained rela-
tions between the president of Transvaal
and the governor of Cape Colony.
There are also signs that the Orange
Free State and the Transvaal govern
lnSAb VIII 10 COAI1Ou GAUSS against
Great Britain should there be further
trouble and the report of a secret
understanding between Germany and the
Transvaal continues undenied in official
circles. The frequently repeated asser-
ton that the British government had
purchased DeIagoa Bay from Portugal.
thus cutting off any posi- biIity of the
Beers obtaining a seaport. is still uncon-
frmed and nncontradicted
DISSATISFACTION SMOULDERING
Appearances Indicate War Nav Break
Out in South AfrIcn Aaain