Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-05-11
BITTER FEELING
Aroused in Germany Over
ChamberIain's Speech.
Said that Cause of Dutch Will Be
fastened by Eng|and's Attitude.
Chamberlain Believed to Have Had knowledge
Of Rhodes Treachcr

Berlin, May 1O-The temper which
the dominant party in England dis
played in the British House of Com
mons, Friday, has excited intense in
dignation throughout Germany The
debate in the English Parliament on
the Transvaal situation was awaited
here with probably as keen interest as
was popularity manifested in England
The tone OF the advices received from
London had created feeling of expcc-
tation that Mr.. Chamberlain. British
secretary of state for the colonial de-
partment, would fully admit the guilt
of Cecil Rhodes and announce the de-
cision of the government to treat him
and his accomplices as criminals.
German official circles and the press
and public were. therefore astounded
upon reading the speech delivered by
Mr.. Chamberlain. telegraphed here
from London. wherein the colonial sec
rotary minimlzed the outrage upon in
ternationai law which had been com
mitted by Rhodes. and suggested that
the English government had found rea-
sons justifying their defending Rhodes,
Sir Hercules Robinson. governor of
Cape Colony. and others who were di-
rect or indirect accomplices in the at
tack upon the Transvaal
The attitude of the German govern
ment toward England is now co1dly
neutral and implies that Germany will
not exert Immediately a direct influ-
ence in South Africa. but popular sym
pathy with the Beers and the general
contempt for English methods has be-
81 that tho Government
may be constrained to adopt some form
of Greman interference in South Africa
before long. While the semi official
press maintains a certain degree of re-
serve. the Independent organs unani-
mously condemn England.
The Neuste Nacrichten contends that
Mr. Chamberlain is blind to the
strength of the Afrikander element
and is incapable of forming Just
conception of the dangers menacinS the
English regime or of knowing how to
avert them The English policy of du-
plicity and delay of justice i'll deallnS
with the conspirators. the paper says,
will not retard. and possibly may has
ten the triumph of the Dutch in the
whole of South Africa.
The National Zeitung, in an article
published, Friday, continued that un-
less Mr. Chamberlain announced a
prompt and vigorous action IN the
part of the British government against
Rhodes and aiders and ahetters, Eng
land would lose her prestige in the
eyes of the world and Chamberlain
would show himself in the light OF an
accomplice. The National Zeitung re-
marks combined with the tenor of Mr..
Chambcrlain's speech, have revived the
reports here that Mr. Chamberlain has
guilty knowledge of Rhodes deSigneS
that he does not dare to disclose.
The Vossische ZetunS ridicules Mr..
Chamberlain's professions of conf
dence in Sir Hercules Robinson, and
SCOTS at the latter's pretended igno-
rance of Jamesons intended raid. The
paper praised the Tranvaal govern
ment for it's foresight in demanding
explanations from England of the
gathering of British troops at Mafe-
king and declares that full explana-
tions must be made.
Most of the German newspaper quote
with approving comments from the
communication from johannesburg is
sued by the Berlin Deutsch Verbund.
the pith of which is the statement that
the Germans in the Transvaal are very
bitter against the English and are join
ing the Beers. Volunteer corps of
companies have been formed. COM
posed solely of Germans. who wear the
German national coors on their breasts
fashioned in black, white and red roset-
ties.
These Germans, the communication
says. share the feeling of the whole
people of the TransvaaI. who as well
as the Transvaal government. are de-
sirous of seeing the beginning of war
to decide the question of supremacy in
South Africa.