The herald., 1896-02-16
The Transvaal ImbrogIi Still
Excites Great Interest
THE ATTITUDE OF GERMANY
Indicates An Intention To Resist British
Intrigue
THE German BimetaiIists still Cling To the
Hope OF An International Conference.
Miscellaneous Notes

Associated Press Special Wira
BERLIN, Feb. 15.-(Copyrighted, 1896,
by the Associated s).-The Transvaal
imbroglio has been the absorbing topic
during the last week. and the government
declaration of it's attitude in the reichstap
Oh Thursday evoked, as was intended, a
patriotic demonstration on all sides of the
house. The policy on foreign affairs, al
though displeasing to England, has been
endorsed by the leaders of all factions of
the Conservative party. The representa-
tive of the Assoc ated Press in this city
has had interviews with several well-known
party leaders, who have assured him that
the reichstag will stand by the govern
meIit in any steps which it may take to
maintain the statu quo in South Africa.
The Associated Press representative also
had an interview on the subject with a
high official of the foreign Office, who
said:
''The official relations between Germany
and Great Britain are good. but it cannot
be denied that there is strong suspicion
that the British cabinet, or at least some of
its members, have been and are still play
ing double game. The sudden departure
of Mr.. Cecil Rhodes for South Africa, and
the attendant circumstances, lend new
color to this impression. Recent advices
from South Africa indicate a resumption
OF British intrigues, and affairs in that
part OF the world are gradually shaping
themselves SO as to place before Germany
the alternative of abandoning valuable in
terests for the sake of good relations with
Great Britain or maintaining those inter-
ests at the risk of a rupture with Great
Britain.
"The temper OF the government and peo-
pie OF Germany is to maintain the status
quo at any COST
There is no doubt that the foregoing
utterances outline the attitude of the Ger
man government. which has been con-
siderably influenced by the representa-
tions OF DR.. Leyds, the secretary of state
for the Transvaal, who has been striving
TO enlist German support for the South
African republic and complete the latter's
divorce from Great Britain, whose COM
mercial interests would thereby be ham,
pered to the advantage of Germany.
Prince Bismarck, upon whom DR.,
Leyds called during the week, expressed
full sympathy with the latter's mission
and warmly lauded Emperor Williams
action in sending q message to President
Kruger congratulating him upon having
suppressed Jameson's invasion of the
Transvaal.
The Frankfurter Zeitung today says the
conduct of the British government and
especially MIR. Rhodes return, toward the
Transvaal has increased the feeling OF
suspicion and anxiety aroused by recen'
events and that consequently the Trans.
yaal government has resolved to. prepar,
for every emergency. In addition to
krupp cannon of different calibre, the
Transvaa' government has ordered in
Germany rifles and material for the con-
slruction Of forts.
In spite of the formal declarations of
the imperial chancellor, Prince Hohenlohe,
in the reichstag, that Germany was not
prepared at present to issue invitations for
q monetary conference. the German bi.
metallists still have hopes that an inter-
national conference will be called. They
have determined to resume active agita-
ton in the reichstag and outside of it.
They charge Prince Hohenlohe and Baron
Marschal Won Beiberstein with bad faith in
carrying out the reichstag's instructions q
year ago.
A strike among the clothing and fur
nishing trades will affect $4,000 men and
women. and is now spreading into towns
like Halle, Stettin and Mannheim,
e. The carpenters strike has ended in
victory for the strikers. The master car
penrers yielded to the demands of their
employees, and $500 men returned to
work.
The army maneuvers this year will be
distinguished by a special feature, this be-
ing artillery contests on larger scale
than ever before attempted. There will be
900 cannon roaring simultaneously.
Count Zepplin has delivered lecture
at Stuttgart in the presence of the king of
Wurtemburg and the military authorities,
on steering air ship, which, it is said,
will cost about $25. 900 and travel IL
miles an hour. 1t is claimed that such an
air ship can remain in the air for seven
and half days. The officials of the
Prussian war Office believe the scheme
feasible, but they claim the speed
will not exceed five miles an hour. The
minister of war, Won Schellendorf. in the
Reichstax today replied to Herr Bebel's
statement concerning the illtreatment of
soldiers. The general says that the entire
country was now convinced that the ill
treatment of soldiers was strongly con-
demned by officers of all ranks, and that
it was rapidly decreasing.
Fifty Socialists have been arrested and a
secret meeting. at which Herr Fischer. a
member of the reichstag was present.