Omaha daily bee., 1896-01-12
BUSY PREPARING FOR WAR
Great Britain Getting Ready for Des-
perate Conflict.
TREMENDOUS ACTIVITY IN D0CKYARDS
Never Before I'm the History of
Nations Has There Been Such n
Mighty Display of Naval
Armpment.

Copyright 1896. by the Associated Pre.s)
LONDON, Jan. 11-Great Britain is sc
riously and steadily preparing for war on
very large SCALE at sea and on land. agains
Germany, or against Germany, France an
Russia, should they combine against her
Emperor william threw down the gauntlet
1t was promptly picked up and energeti
steps were Immediately taken by the British
government to back up its action by mos
imposing display of ssa power.
Under these circumstances II is almost un
necessary to add that the exciting politica
events Of the past week ecipsed all othei
topics in the public mind and crowded tht
Venezuelan question almost out of recollec
ton. This fact, however, IL merely due tc
the better feeling prevailing here in favor Of
gracefully submitting the whole matter to the
arbitration Of permanent court Of appeal;
to be established between Great Britain and
the United States for the settlement Of al
| such questions, or, II there Is no other way
| out of II, allowing the United States to set
| tie the matter in its own way. When
| Great Britain is arming for a struggle, posi-
| bly, against Germany, France and Russia, the
| question Of the addition or subtraction of a
| few miles more or less Of South American
| soil to the British empire Is a matter de-
cidedly not worth haggling over.
The activity In the admiralty, war Office
and other offices called upon to take part in
| the war preparations is really remarkable
| and London is overrun with officers on the
| retired list or otherwise who are desirous
| Of drawing a sword In defense of, the en-
pire.
GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION.
| The rapidity in which the various naval
stations are commissioning war ships, large
and small for active service, is pointed to
with great pride. The Portsmouth authorities
explain that of the war ships from that dock
yard which are promptly being got ready
| to join the flying squadron there 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 that 1t Is asserted that
never before in the history Of nations has
there been amasoed so powerful a naval arma-
ment as will be assembled In these waters
shortly, ready for attack or defense against
Germany or against the combined powers OF
Europe The fleet being made ready for bat
tie will be composed exclusively Of the fastest
and newest British war ships afoat and will
be ready for commission on Tuesday next and
the entire Channel squadron, commanded by
Rear Admiral Walter T. Kerr. with the flag
ship Majestic, first class battle ship of
14,900 tons, will assemble off Portland TN
January II. The flying squadron, which is
10 DO ready 1Or sea next TUESDAY, also rein
forced by six Of the latest built topedo boat
destroyers, will assemble for final orders off
Spithead on January 16.
The appointment of Rear Admiral Alfred T.
Dale to command the flying squadron is
greatly approved. His flag captain on the
flagship Revenge, first class battle ship of
14,160 tens, will be Captain Asheton G. Cur
zsn-Howe.
In connection with the prevailing war
spirit here it is stated that the queen has
expressed the desire that the British army
and navy officers in the future should wear
their uniforms only, putting away the civilian
clothes for the present like the officers OF the
ether Eurcp can powers who are rarely seen
in civilian dress, even when on leave of alb
sence.
IMBUED WITH WAR
1t is difficult to give complete idea of
how completely the generally Unconditional
Britishers are imbued with the WAT spirit
how at every public assemblage this week
there has been some little incident or illu-
sion which has provoked a tumult of en-
thrsasm. For instance. at thee Olympic
theater the other night. a scen~ depicts the
last stand of Major Wilson and his little
band Of British troops In Matabeleland in
1894. He was surrounded by about 5000
natives. They fought for three hours. In
depicting the exciting event, actually part
OF the history of the Matabele war engl-
neersd by DR.. Jameson, occur he lines: Eng
lishmen are not wont to wait when the lives
of their countrymen are in danger" Hardly |
was this phrase uttered when there was |
cry by Henry Petit. the dramatist, who was |
in the audience, of three cheers for DR.. Jane
son." There was an instant's pause and |
then with a roar the packed audience rose |
in every part CT the house and burst out |
into frenzied cheering which lasted for sew
eral minutes and then all present sang: God |
Save the Quesn."
Feeling against Emperor William personally |
ID most bitter and questions in regard to his |
name remaining on the army and navy |
list are to be asked in Parliament. Regarding
the statement published and denied by the
colonel of the regiment. that officers of the
Royal dragons in garrison at Dublin, of |
which corps Emperor William is honorary
colonel, have burned his, majesty in efigy,
it appears that what really occurred was
IA follows: In the mess room hung large
photograph of Emperor William in the uni
'orm OF the Royal dragons. This photograph
after dinner was torn down by a number
Of young officers and thrown into the fire.
It is said that the German ambassador
has taken the matter up.
All the theaters have settled down to the
'egular routine business that succeeds the
holiday rush. The business at the various
,antomimes continues good and bids fair to
val the financial success OF year ag".
GREAT EVENT OF THE WEEK.
The great event Of the theatrical week has
,een the production OF Edward Roses ver-
ion Of "The Prisoner Of Zelda" at the st.
ames on Tuesday. Rarely have so many
people been present as on the
light of the first performance Of the drama
lied version of this famous novel.
Hon. George. n. Curzon is in great de-
nand as chairman of meetings having India
or their subject, by virtue Of his travels in
nd books regarding that country.
The Tonic-sol-fa association Will produce
t their Forthcoming annual festival at the
,rystal Palace a dramatic Cantata /