The herald., 1896-01-11
NARL|AE PREPARATIONS
Whose Meaning Is Not
Well Understood
THE STRONGEST FLEET AFLOAT
Awaits the Orders OF the British
Admiralty
A VERY CRITICAL SITUATION
Arises From England's Reported Purchase
Of Dslagoa Bay
DR.. jameson Is to Be Handed Over to the
British
The Maintenance Of Peace Depends Upon the
Demands Made by the Transvaai Presi-
dent and the Nature Of Ger
many's Agreement
A VERY CRITICAL SITUATION
Arises From England's Reported Purchase
of Delagoa Bay
Dr.. jameson Is to Be Handed Over to the
British
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire
PORTSMOUTH, Jan. 10.-It is reported
here that second special squadron of
fast cruisers has been towed off and will
be held in readiness for commission at a
moments notice.
LONDON, Jan. 1O.-There is feeling
abroad in London tonight that there are
many details of the complication into
which the foreign officers of the empire
have been placed which have never been
published, and much speculation is in
dulged in by the public. So far as official
information goes, the situation seems to
be improved.
The most important development in the
South African speculation today is the
fact that in spite of all denials it is now
believed in many quarters that there is
some truth in the rumor that Great Britain
has purchased Delagoa bay from Portugal.
1t may turn out to be the excuse for the
assembling of such powerful British fleet
as the one which will be anchored off Port
land Tuesday next. As it is announced
that the government of the Transvaal has
demanded, among other things, that Great
Britain forego her right to OBJ ain posses
sion of Delagoa bay, and as Germany may
look upon this as move which will seri-
ously threaten the future of Transvaal,
the situation, if the report is true, will be.
come critical.
dispatch from Pretoria this morning
says the governor of Transvaal has an
nounced he is determined to foster min
ing. aud those interes ed need not sacri-
flee their holdings for the benefit of the
"agitatirg clique" of the Rand. This dis
patch says only 10000 Beers are under
hIf adds siUnl lfipa ntlu thav will NOT
disband until the conditions of surrender
of Uitlanders of the Rand have been fully
carried out.
Great Importance is attached here to an
article in the Hamburger Nachrichten,
said to have been directly inspired by
Prince Bismarck, in which it indirectly dis
approves of the governments attitude,
and adds: ''The duty of government is
more TO defend the internal and external
peace of the country against disturbance
than promote foreign enterprises"
President Kruger has sent a telegram to
Sir Hercules Robinson, governor of Cape
Colony, for transmission to Mr.. Chamber
lain, acknowledging the receipt of the
queens message and adding: ''lt is my in
tention to hand over the prisoners 50 that
DIR. L. Jameson and the British under him
may be punished by her majesty's govern
ment. L will make known to your excel
lency my final decision in the matter as
soon as Johannesburg shall have reverted
10 d Ol QtIclieSS dIlu OTu6F. III
the mean time, request your excellency to
assure the queen OF my high appreciation
of her words, and in preferring my respect
full good wishes, express my thanks for the
same."
The mystery of the naval preparations
occupies large place in the public mind,
and the conclusion arrived at by the at
tentive public after first thinking it over is
that the tremendous activity displayed,
not only in the fitting out of the flying
but in the rushing forward of work in
the navy yards, arsenals and supply shops
for war material, do not appear wholly
necessary on account of the condition of
relations with Germany. 1t is also felt that
it is difficult to see for what point the fly
ing squadron, which, together with the ex-
listing available squadrC ms with which it is
proposed to join it, will form, it is said,
the most powerful fleet of war vessels ever
put afoat, is destined.
The situation in the Transvaal is un-
doubtedly greatly improved, and unless
President Kruger has made extortionate
demands, such as for the complete inde-
pendence of his republic and freedom
from the suzerainty OF Great Britain, and
has received the support of Germany in
favor of these demands, such "a powerful
heet as is being prepared will not be
needed at Delagoa bay. In fact, the whole
future OF South Africa now depends upon
the nature of the demand made by Kruger,
whose response to the queens message,
addressed to him in the third person
through Colonial Secretary Chamberlain,
is, to say the least, not effusve. III fact,
It virtually declares that the president will
hold DIR. Jameson and the other members
OF his expedition who were taken with him
hostages for the disarmament of Johannes
burg, whose time for grace for the surren-
der of the arms held by the Uitlanders ex-
pires at q o'clock this evening. Those of
the Uitlanders who have not yielded their
arms at that time are to be excluded from
the amnesty to be granted to those who
participated in the uprising. The indem-
nifty demanded by the Transvaal poyern-
ment from the Chartered South Africa
company is variously stated at from G G5OO,-
600 to f2,OO0,O0O.
The disturbance in tho Transvaal has led
to an exceedingly heavy stock exchange
account, and especially for chartered South
Africa and consolidated gold fields.
Brokers are having difficulty in obtaining
payment from weak holders who have
hoped to be able to carry over their stock,
but have refused to do SO in view of the
disturbed political 81 ualion. Some of the
differences paid have been very heavy.
In Two instances they amounted resDec-
lively to $4,000 and 935,OOO. The
former sum WAS paid. but in the second
CAGE the payment is reported TO have been
e matter OF temporary arrangement.
statement circulated here today that the
admiralty had decided upon the formation
OF second special squadron created
good deal OF excitement when it was all
nounced, but it was later officially denied.
Right Honorable Chamberlain, secretary
ef state for the colonies, went to Osborne
10day and will stay there over night. Right
honorable Z. ). 0oschen, first lord Of the