The herald., 1896-01-12


ing engineer of the world. He had great
reputation as q IN lining expert in California
and o few years ago was engaged at al
enormous salary to go to South Africa and
take charge of the famous De Beers da-
mond mines. Through his influence a
number of Califori lia mining men have
secured lucrative positions in the African
mines.
DIDN'T MEAN TO OFFEND
BERLIN, Jan. l. The report that letters
have passed between Emperor William
and Queen Victoria relative to the subject
matter of the Trausvaal is confirmed
here. 1t is now claimed this correspond
ence has not been quite concilatory in its
nature, intimation being made that the
emperor has made the statement that
while not intending to offend England in
any way, he was still of the opinion that
DIR. Jameson'a raid was criminal anu
worthy of his condemnation.
Emperor William at noon heard the re-
port of Baron MarschaI Won Bieberstein,
secretary of foreign affairs. relative to the
situation, and expressed confidence that
peace would be preserved.
The Tageblatt charges the English pa
pers with falsifying the news, and says 1t
is not true that Emperor William and the
German government have asked for help
from European powers for the purpose or
neutralizing English influence in the Trans
vaal.
Herr Liebknecht. backed by fprty-six So
cialist deputies, will. during the coming
week, interpolate Prince Hohenlohe. the
German chancellor, upon the position of
the German government in the Iransvaal
question.
Letters from English firms addressed to
theiI German correspondents counter
manding orders for goods have been puo-
lished in the German papers.
The German Dresa urges the ADOPTION OF
retaliatory measures.
THE SITUATION DIFFICULT
JOHANNESBURG, Jan. ia feeling OF
great uneasiness, accompanied by de-
preston, prevails here. 1t is understood
the Uitlanders reform committee is to be
tried for high treason before the court at
Pretoria. Several members of the COM
mittee have fed One was allowed to de-
part after depositing 100000 surety for
his appearance when called upon.
The government is greatly incensed at
the tardy and incomplete surrender by
Uitlander of their arms which, it is be-
lieved, are being concealed. Only about
1000 rifles have been given up, whereas
10000 are said to have been issued.
A conference between Sir Hercules Rob-
inson, governor of Cape Colony and the
Transvaal executive, is believed to have
left the situation strained and difficult to
settle. 1t 10 understood Transvaal'e de-
mands include the annexation to the Boer
republic of Amatongaland, lately added to
the colony of Natal, annulling OF the con-
vention Of 1884 and institution and en-
forcement of the passport system through.
out the country. The situa ion 10 thus re-
gar1ed as being graver than ever.
LONDON, Jan. 1.-THE foregoing dis
patch from Johannesburg reached here
after the Orange Free State had been asked
to assist Transvaal. 1t has been reported
to the government at Bloemfontein, the
capital of Orange Free State, that docu-
ments have been discovered showing a
widespread plot existed against Transvaal.
Governor Robinson, however, is absolved
from all knowledge of the matter.
A dispatch to the Pail Mall Gazette from
Capetown, published this afternoon. says:
President Krueger has extended the time
for disarmament Of Uitlanders at johann
nesburg until 8 o'clock tonight. Only
three out of fifty Maxim guns have been
given up. Eloff, President Krueger's eld-
est grandson, nearly caused riot at
Johannesburg. He rode into town at the
head of small body of burghers and fred
blank cartridges right and left. The au-
sent him back to Kruegersdorf. The
Transvaal government later published an
announcement saying it was regretted that
Eloff escaped.
A CABINET MEETING
LONDON, Jan. 11.-A semi official note
will be published today stating the British
government has decided to submit to par
lament full information regarding Ar.
menia, Transvaal and Venezuela. Conse-
quently the United States Venezuelan
commission will shortly have access to all
the material points of the British case. All
the ministers were present at the cabinet
was enthusiastically greeted with cries of
"Brave Chamberlain" from crowds await
ing Developments.
The cabinet meeting lasted three hours.
The colonial office says it is true the situa.
ton ia rrausvaal is more strained than il
ordered to hold themselves in readiness for
service. The second naval reserve, com.
posed of men belonging to the mercantile
mari Q. have been notified the services OF
some of them will shortly be required.
Jameson Deposed
CAPETowN, Jan. 11.-A proclamation
issued by Sir Herculese Robinson, governor
of Cape Colony, removes DR.. Jameson
from the position of administrator of Ma
shonaland. He is replaced by E. j. New
ton, secretary of the British colony o1
Free State have been sent to Transvaal te
confer with the government of the Repub
lie as to the steps to be taken in the event
of Orange Free State being asked to assist
Transvaal.
MoMENTOUS MEETING
New YORK, Jan. 1l.-A special to the
World from London says: Nothing is &C
strictly guarded in England as the pro-
ceedings of cabinet NEE ting. Nothing
would be SO criminal as leak concerning
its action; all the power of the government
would be eyerted to unmask the traitor.
ANY revelation of what occurred at the
meeting of the cabinet until the ministers
are ready to contide the information to the
public, is practically impossible. 1t is GER
tainly one of the momentous meetings in
the country's history, for the government
must doubtless have decided England's
course in the present unparalleled situation
of a hostile union of every country in
Europe against the British empire. Until
the other day the country seemed secure in
the general misunderstanding that Eng
land was silent partner in the triple al
lance.
The kaiser's insulting declaration OF
hostility has shattered all that at blow.
England cannot fight single-handed
against Europe, Russia and Asia, to sa,
nothing of a possible war with the United
States. Will she, therefore, make over
lures to Russia, with the Franco-R Russian
alliance thrown in?
1t is amazing the almost fever for that
coalition which prevails in London, and ap.
parently throughout the empire, since The
publication of the kaiser's telegram. The
Times gave the first threat of it in it's firsl
days comments on the kaiser's mes age
to President Kruger. The press has taker