Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-01-15
WAR AND RUMORS OF WAR.
What Belligerents and Would-Be Beliger-
ents Are Saying and Doing.

| ents Are Saying and Doing.
The trouble between the Transvaal
Republic and Great Britain has not
been fully arranged yet. BY virtue of
treaty entered into in 1884, Great
Britain claims suzerainty over the
Transvaal. This means, in effect, that
while Great Britain recognizes the in
dependence of the Transvaal, the
Transvaal cannot have any indepen-
dent dealings with other nations with
out the consent of Great Britain. AS
the result of Jameson's raid, it is un.
derstood that the Transvaal govern
ment has demanded not only absolute
independence; but, in addition, an in
demnity from either the British South
African company, or Great Britain, of
50, 100000. Great Britain is not dis
posed to either pay the indemnity or
grant independence.
Besides looking upon the growth of
British territory in South Africa with
great deal of jealousy, Germany con-
siders the Transvaal people kinfolks,
and her fullest sympathy is with them.
In his message to President Kruger,
Emperor William recognized the COM
plete independence of the Transvaal,
and it was this action, more than any
thing else, that has stirred up and an
gered Great Britain. During the past
week there has been strong war feel
ing in Great Britain against Germany {;
but Germany does not seem to be at all
worried over the matter. She explains
that she has not intentionally given
expression to any hostile feelings
against Great Britain, and apparently
does not look on the situation as seri-
Gus.
There is now assembled at Ports
mouth, England, the greatest fleet Of
British war vessels that has ever been
collected under one flag in the history
of the world. 1t consists of about 20
battle ships and cruisers, and as many
torpedo boat catchers. Just what is
the meaning of this overawing collec-
tion of fighting power, is not exactly
known. The newspapers are pretty
generally agreed that it is in the nature
of a bluff to Germany, based on the
situation in the Transvaal. Another
opinion has it that Great Britain is
quietly assembling her fighting forces
in order to be ready for developments
in the Venezuela dispute. The real
destination of the feet cannot be
ascertained with certainty. Nobody
but the highest British authorities are
competent to speak with absolute
knowledge, and they are not inclined
to give out any information.
DR.. Jameson was bitterly disappoint-
ed at his failure to whip the Beers.
He encountered more opposition than
he expected, and was not properly
prepared with either food or ammuni-
ton. After 80 hours of fighting, he
saw his men dropping off their horses
from sheer hunger and exhaustion.
He was very much affected but still
would not give the word to surrender.
Presently one of his men fastened a
shirt to rifle barrel and held it up as
white flag without the doctors au-
thority. 1t is reported that when DR..
Jameson saw the white flag, he burst
into tears and cried like baby.
1t has been reported that the
Transvaal authorities have turned
DIR. Jameson and his followers over
to the English for punishment. 1t
seems that the report is premature.
Shortly after this battle, the Trans
vaal authorities made demand on
all foreigners to surrender their
arms. Some 1000 rifles were sur
rendered. 1t is believed that the
foreigners have 10000 rifles in all, and
the Transvaal authorities do not intend
to offer any terms to the prisoners un-
Til after the demand for a surrender of
arms has been fully complied with. In
the meantime, some 200 prominent
British residents of the Transvaal have
been arrested and imprisoned on the
charge of high treason.
The Venezuelan commission COM
menced its sittings in Washington last
Saturday; but has as yet given out
nothing of its proceedings that is of in
terest to the public. Late reports from
London have it that the British gov
ernment is endeavoring TO reopen di-
rect diplomatic relations with the
American government. Whether or
not the report is true is uncertain but
if it is true, it means that Great Britain
is anxious to bring about peaceful
settlement of the matters in dispute
without the danger of clash with the
United States.
News from Cuba continues unsatis-
factory as to detail. The city of Ha-
vana is still threatened by the Cubans,
who hold themselves in readiness eth
er 10 make an assault on opportunity,
or to run away if hard pressed by the
Spaniards. The Spaniards are said to
be dropping off from disease much
faster than they could possibly be
killed by Cuban bullets.