The herald., 1896-01-12
A Cabinet Meeting Likely to
Prove Memorable
THE MEMBERS UNANIMOUS
On All the Serious Questions Under
Discussion
The Feeling Against Germany Has Greatly
Subsided but War Preparations Are
Still Actively Pushed
Ahsoci ated Press Special Wire

Associ ated Press Special Wire
LONDON, Jan. IL Copyright by the As
sociated Press. I'm view of the assemb-
ling of British fleets for active service and
many clouds lowering over the horizon of
politics, the cabinet meeting today is en-
titled to rank as one of the most momen-
tous in the history of Great Britain. The
ministers had to decide several questions
of vital importance to the British empire,
including the Transvaal, Armenian and
Venezuelan difficulties and Great Britain's
position toward the other European
powers.
1t is a striking fact that although the
present cabinet is one of the largest on
record, it is unanimous on all the leading
questions under discussion.
The latest advices from the Transvaal
would seem on their face to indicat that
the situation is in no way hopeful, as it
was couple of days ago, in spite of official
statements to the contrary, and it is be-
lieved that the cabinet is considering most
unlocked for demands upon the part of
President Kruger, demands which it is in
timated Great Britain cannot possibly con-
cede.
Great Britain is seriously and steadily
preparing for war on very large scale at
sea and on land against Germany, or
against Germany, France and Russia
should they combine against her. Emperor
William threw down the gauntlet; it was
promptly picked up and energetic steps
were Immediately taken by the British
government to back up this action by a
most imposing display of sea power.
Under these circumstances, it is almost
unnecessary to admit that the exciting po-
litical events of the past week eclpsed all
the other topics in the public mind and
crowded the Venezuelan question almost
merely due to the better feeling prevailing
here in favor of gracefully submitting the
whole matter to the arbitration OF a perma-
nent court of appeals to be established be-
tween Great Britain and the United States
for the settlement of all such ques tions or
if there is no other way out of it, allowing
the United States to settle it her own way.
When Great Britain is arming for strug-
gle possibly against Germany, France and
Russia, the question of the addition or SUBJ
traction Of few miles, more or less, of
South American soil to the British empire
is matter decidedly not worth any hag-
Cling over.
The activity in the admiralty and war
office, called upon to take part in the war
operations, is really remarkable and LON
don is overrun with officers on the retired
list or otherwise who are desirous of draw
ing sword in defense of the empire. The
rapidity with which the various naval sta
tions are commissioning war ships, large
and small, for active service, is pointed to
with great pride. The Portsmouth author
tiles explain that the warships from that
dockyard, which are being promptly got
ready to Join the flying squadron, are but
three out of a total of twenty-eight in the
fleet reserve which could be made ready
for active service at short notice.
The gravity of the situation may be esti-
mated from the fact it is asserted that
never before in the history of nations has
there been witnessed SO powerful a naval
armament as will be assembled in these
waters shortly, ready for attack or defense
powers of Europe. The fleet being made
ready for battle will be composed of the
very fastest and newest British warships
afloat and will be ready for sea on Tuesday
next, and the entire channel squadron,
commanded by Rear Admiral Walter I.
Kerr, with the flagship Majestic, a first
class battleship of 14.9OO tons, will as
semble off Portland on January 18th. The
flying squadron, which is to be ready for
sea next Tuesday, also reinforced by six of
the latest torpedo boat destroyers, will as
semble for final orders off Spithead on
January 18th.
It 8 difficult to give complete idea of
how completely the generally Unconditional
Britishers are imbued with the war spirit,
how at every public assembly this week
sion which has provoked a tumult of en-
thusiasm.
For instance, at the Olympic theater the
other night scene depicts the last stand
of Major Wilson and his little band of
British troopers in Matabeleland in 1894,
when surrounded by about 5000 natives,
they fought for three hours. In depicting
the exciting event, actually part of the
history of the Matabele war engineered by
DIR. Jameson, occur the lines: "English-
men are not wont to wait when the lives of
their countrymen are in danger"
Hardly was this phrase uttered when
there was a cry from Henry Petit, the
dramatist, who was among the audience,
of ''three cheers for DIR. Jameson"
There was an instant pause and then,
every part of the house and burst out into
frenzied cheering which lasted for several
minutes, and all present sang God Save
the Queen.
On the stock exchange today there were
rumors that the government inquiry will
lead to the startling revelation that the
whole plot was hatched by a group of finan-
ciers in London.
In addition, the statement is made by a
financial paper that Barny Barnato, the
so-called Kaffir king, who has considerable
holdings in Delagoa bay, has offered to sell
the same to the British government, which
is considering the matter. This may ex-
plain the reported purchase of Delagoa bay
from Portugal by the government OF Great
Britain.
The feeling against Germany has greatly
subsidized, and the issue of the trouble is
freely described as "a rebuff for Emperor
William, inasmuch as the German news
papers have changed their tone; and the
papers printing what were regarded as in
spired articles, and what first threatened
Great Britain. are now distinctly calming
down.
Another feature of the situation is the
feeling that France, although she would
like to see Great Britain seriously injured,
would never allow Germany to win, but
would seek pretext while Germany was
crippled to secure revenge for 1S7O-7l.
According to the Westminster Gazette,
Germany's recent attitude on the Armenian
question has alienated Great Britain and
led to the approachment of the latter coun-
try to France, and the Marquis of Sails
bury, it asserts, suggested to the powers an
International agreement by which Russia
was to be entrusted with the paciflcation of
Armenia. France and Italy, it is added,
were willing. but the proposition collapsed
through the opposition of Germany.
Discussing tho Trausvaal situation, the