The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-01-16
THE SPIRIT OF WAR
SEEMS TO PERvADE ENGLAND TO
AN ALARMING EXTENT.

AN ALARMING EXTENT.
Preparations Continue With Great Ac-
tivity ut Portsmouth and other Naval
stations-A Great Fleet Being As
sembled.
LONDON, Jan. 11.-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 i'm
mediately taken by the British govern
ment to back up this action by a most
imposing display of sea power.
Under these circumstances it is al
most unnecessary to add that the excit-
ing political events Of the past week
eclipsed all other topics in the public
mind and crowded the Venezuelan
question almost out of recollection.
This fact, however, is merely due to the
better feeling prevailing here in favor Of
Gracefully submitting the whole Matter
to the arbitration of permanent court
of appeals to be established between
Great Britain and the United States
for the settlement of all such questions,
or, if there is no other way out Of it.,
allowing the United States to settle the
matter in her 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 few miles more of less
of South American soil to the British
empire is a matter decidedly not worth
haggling over.
Wonderful Activity Is Shown.
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 over
run with officers on the retired list or
otherwise, who are DESTROYS of drawing
sword in defense of the empire. The
rapidity with which the various naval
stations are commissioning warships,
large and small for active service is
pointed to with great pride.
Will Have a Great Fleet Ready.
The Portsmouth authorities explain
that the warships from that dockyard
which are being promptly gotten ready
to join the flying squadron are but three
out of 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
estimated from the fact that it is assert
ed that never before in the history Of
nations has there been witnessed 81
powerful a naval armament as will bt
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 battle will be composed exclusivel.
of the very
Fastest and Newest British Warships
af1oat, and will be ready for sea OF
Tuesday, It is expected the entir
channel squadron, commanded by Rea
Admiral Walter T. Kerr, with the flag
ship Majestic, a first class battleship
of IA, 900 tons, will assemble off Port
land on January II. The flying squad
ron, which is to be ready for sea mex
Tuesday, also reinforced by six of tn
latest built torpedo boat destroyers
will assemble for final orders off Spit
head ON January Is.
The appointment of Rear Admire
Alfred T. Dale to command the fly in,
squadron is generally approved. Hi
flag captain, on the flagship Revenge,
first class battleship Of IA, $50 tons, vii
be Captain the Honorable Ashton G
Curzon- Howe. In connection with tn
prevailing war spirit here, it is state
that the queen has expressed the desir
that the British army and navy officer
in future should wear the uniform
only, putting away the civilian clothe
for the present, like the officers of tn
other European powers, who are rarel
seen in civilian dress, even when O.
leave of absence.