Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-12

joining a coalition to dismember the Brit ish empire. This implies that France would demand the retrocession of Alsace- Lorraine and probably Belgium. If the the coalition meant to make a further partition of Europe, Russia would ob- tain the Balkan states with Constanti- nople, and Germany would annex Hol- land. Such coalition would involve the breaking up of the triple alliance and a prolonged European war, during which Great Britain would acquire allies and would be likely to crush Emperor Will liam as she did Napoleon.
 Apropos of the Sfatist speculations, it is worth noting that General Elliott, writing to the Times, says that a state- ment was made to him by General Von Blumenthal relative to the German of ficial plans for the invasion of England immediately upon the declaration of war between the two countries. Accord ing to the plans the German forces would overrun Holland and Belgium, seize na- val and mercantile transports and cross the North sea in seven columns. It is calculated by Germany that if one-third Of the million men who would be used in the operations succeeded in landing in England they would soon capture Lon don. The London apers call the scheme Iudicrous, but General Elliott declares that 1t was told seriously to him.
 If the tone of the German papers pub iouCu HI l<OHdOn lnulCdIeS tnek InOOu OI the German population, which is esti- mated at S5,000, they, while strongly dis approving of the emperor's conduct, re- sent British hostility to Germany as un- just. Many Germans who have been set tied in England for long time propose to become naturalized owing to the pros pect of war. This will prevent Germany from calling upon them to bear arms in the event of actual hostilities.
 The Westminster Gezette, commenting on the relations between the emperor and the British royal family. says that the imperative in his intercourse with all his relations in England and Ger many and holds himself to be the head of the family next to the queen. As the son of the British princess royal he always contends that he is heir to the British throne. In connection with this subject the Frankfort Zeitung renews the story that Emperor William, in the event of the death of the queen, will claim the throne of the united kingdom and pre- pare to enforce his rights by force of arms. As a believer in the divine right of kings he would not regard an adverse decision on his claim by parliament
 Despite the tension court information is to the effect that the emperor will ar- range to meet the queen at Coburg in April on the occasion of the marriage of the Princess Alexandra and Prince Ho- henlohe Langenburg. He will also visit Cowes in August.
 President Krugers retention of Dr.. Jameson and the other prisoners cap tured by the Boers and the seizure of further hostages gives ministerial circles qualms of doubt as to whether the queens message of thanks to him were not premature. MT. Chamberlain the colonial secretary, too quickly concluded that President Kruger's message propos- ing his final decision on the question of p1In rrv1ti t~A -t~fl 1~ A.. Johannesburg is now read differently from what it was when first received.