The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-01-18
CALM

| Imminent in spite of Great Prepara-
tiOns-If Great Britain is Threatening
Any Power or IL Amy Power Has Actu-
ally Threatened Her the Fact is I'm
| known.
LONDON, Jan. 13.-Though official
and diplomatic circles are SAID to be-
lieve hat Great Britain is facing a
great crisis, the public refuse to be-
lieve that there is even a possibility of
war. 1t is thought that naval prepa-
rationS making are well enough IN
their way to impress upon foreign
powers that Great Britain is ready to
accept the gage of battle should it be
thrown down, but the popular opinion
is that England will not herself pro-
woke a war. The belief grows how
ever, that the Transvaal government
will need a reminder that Great Brit
ain still exercises suzerain powers
Owe the country, and does not propose
to forego any of the rights conferred
upon her by the Anglo-Boer onven
tion of 1884.
Much dissatisfaction Is expressed at
the attitude of President Kruger.
Though it is generally conceded that
he is practically a dictator in the Trans
vaal, it is believed that the anger of
the burghers against the British is
burning so fiercely that he dare not re-
lease DIR. Jameson and the other priS-
oners at present, and hat in making
their release contingent upon the re-
StOration of order in Johannesburg he
is temporizing in order that the indig-
nation among the Beers may cool
down.
The report of the discovery of docu-
ments showing the existence of a
widespread conspiracy against the
Transvaal, simply confirms the belief
entertained in many quarters that
there was really an intention on the
part of certain ambitious men to over
turn the Transvaal government, and
then bring about the annexation of
that country to Cape Colony.
1t is thought that the arrest at ~
hannesburg of a number of members
of the reform committee was due to
knowledge reaching the government
that the men arrested were implicated
in this conspiracy. Mr.. John Ii. Ham
mOnd, the American mining engineer,
who was arrested, is well known in
New York, and it is reported that eff
forts are already being made by his
friends in that city and elsewhere to
secure his release.
As stated in these dispatches yester-
day, it is believed that all serious
trouble with the T%ransvaal has been
averted by the prompt and energetic
b. e A.. D.Asl -
that whatever questions may arise or
have already arisen, will be settled
through the usual diplomatic chan
nels.
With regard to Germany, it can be
said that although the interference of
Emperor William in a matter that in
no wise concerned him aroused n most
wariike feeling throughout Great
Britain, that excitement to a great ex-
tent is dying out under the repeated
assurances of the German press hat
Germany never intended to affrOnt En-
gland. If Great Britain is threatening
any power, or if any power had actu-
ally threatened her, it is impossible to
say which power it is that has menaced
or is being menaced. OF course, it is
generally understood that Germany is
the power in question, but there is
nothing official to show that she is.
1t is not known whether or not Lord
Salisbury had asked for an explana-
ton of Emperor Williams attitude, or,
if he has done so, whether any ex-
PLANTATION has been vOuchsafed him.
At any rate, Emperor William is not
alone in German sentiment. SO far as
can be learned from the newspapers.
against war. To declare war. though
it be merely defensive. the emperor
must lave the consent of the bundles
rath. and it is believed that the COM
mercial and colonial interests would
exert all their influence to prevent a
declaration of war against Great Brit
ain. Such a war would undoubtedly be
disastrous to those interests. and no one
is quicker to see this han the Germans
themselves. 1t will. therefore. devolve
on the British government to declare
war, and it can be stated that scarcely
anyone believes it will do 50.
There can, however. be no denial
made of the fact that England is put
ting herself in a condition of prepared
readiness for any emergency that may
arise. Popular opinion supports this
policy, and would support war should
it be necessary to preserve British
honor and the integrity of the empire,
but it is not thought now that eitheriS
threatened, and there are not lacking
persons who do not hesitate to declare
that Lord Salisbury is playing to the
gallery"
Harmonious Relations Restored Between
Germany and England.
LONDON. Jan.l3.-In to-day issue the
Standard says: 1t is now explained
from Berlin that the emperur'S mes
sage to President Kruger. instead of
indicating a new departure in German
foreign policy, was ut the most an ex-
preston Of ~momentary irritation,
which We are authorized To declare
has passed away, leaving the relations
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