San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-01-08
TROUBLE AHEAD.
BRITAIN REALIZES PERIL OF HER
POSITION.
With Germany and America Against
Her and a Russo French AL
lance Possible, She Pre-
pares Her Guus.

LONDON, Jan. O. Copyrlgnted
1896 by Associated Press. THE
gravity of the political crisis here
is increasing, instead of diminish
ing. The attitude Of Emperor Will
liam toward Great Britain in the
matter of DR.. Jamison's freeboot-
ing expedition into the Transvaal,
upon closer study, seemed to
have been deliberate and long and
carefully planned. The Transvaal
incident, it would appear, was on
ly preteXt seized upon by the
emperor to enter the field as an
active, opponent of Great Britain's
policy of ACKNOWLEDGMENT in At
RIGA, and her little misunderstand-
ing with King Prompt, of Asian
tee, together with her support of
Italy's warfare against Abyssinia,
are believed to have been the irri-
tating features which finally in
duced his majesty to show his
hand. OF course, this is only a
sample of rumors in circulation
here, but it shows the drift of the
wind, and has served to incense
the British to a degree not wit
messed since the war with Russia
was threatened some years ago. To
make matters worse, it Is now re-
ported that the Transvaal republic
xxyf1 nd o.
$2,500,0O0 from Great Britain as
one result of the Jamison invasion
of the little Dutch republic. II
this turns out to be the case, no
doubt will be entertained that
Emperor William, in his recent
interviews with DIR. w. j. Leyds,
secretary for the Transvaal,
prompted this demand, and he
may also have announced his in
tention Of supporting it. Under
these circumstances, and in view
of war preparations, by land and
sea, being vigorously pushed by
Great Britain, it is not astonish-
ing that there was an ominous drop
in consols, which, as much as any
thing, is a clear indication that
the gravity of the political situa-
ton is not newspaper exaggera-
ton.
Dispatches from Berlin announce
Emperor William had an import.
ant conference this morning with
DIR. Kayser, chief of the German
colonial office, and that further dis
patches had been exchanged be-
tween Berlin and Pretoria.
Great Britain is evidently deter
mined not to be caught unprepared
for war. The report that orders
had been sent to Portsmouth,
Davenport and Chatham for the
immediate commissioning OF fly
ing squadron OF warships is con.
firmed this afternoon and has
caused a profound sensation in all
circles. fhe flying squadron is or
dered to BIZ ready for sea Jan. l4th,
Tuesday next. twill consist of the
following ships: The Revenge and
Royal Oak, first-class battleships
Gibraltar and Theseus, first-class
steel cruisers ;Charybdis and Herm-
oine, second class steel cruisers all
fully equipped and OF high speed.
In addition, Rear Admiral Har-
ry Wrawson, in command OF
the Cape Of Good Hope and
West Africa stations, has been
ordered to proceed to Delagoa bay
on board the flagship st. George, a
first-class steel cruiser, and he is
now on his way there, accompanied
by another cruiser, with all posi-
BILE speed.
The German emperor, it appears,
had planned to land force OF Ger
mans at Delagoa Bay In order to
assist the Beers againrt the Brit
ish, and only desisted when lie
learned of Jamison's defeat and
capture. This, it is claimed, is q
proof that his message to President
Kruger, congratulating him upon
his victory, and his majesty's re-
ported announcement to DR.. w. j.
Leyds, secretary Of state for the
Transvaal, that Germany refused
to recognize any suzerainty over
the Transvaal, were well weighed
moves and the result Of prear.
ranged policy.
Admiral Wrawson has also been
instructed to report Immediately
to the admiralty what is neces-
sary to reinforce his squadron aud
what ships may be sent there as
quickly as possible.
Beside. these preparations the
greatest activity is displayed &C
all the dock yards, in making
ready for call for the comm ission-
ing OF more ships as soon as need