San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-01-12

LONDON, Jan. 1.-THE develop
ing European crisis becomes
hourly more interesting. The alb
sence of all news regarding the in
tentions OF both the kaiser and the
car receives peaceful interpreta-
ton in most quarters. 1t is doubt
full IL events will take really de-
cisive turn for several days; then
we have a decision in which St.
Petersburg, Berlin and Paris will
be represented, and will learn then
whether the continental combina-
ton for the overthrow of British
prestige includes war in the pro-
gram. There is a strong disincli-
nation Of France to support Ger
many in the present quarrel.
II Russia had been the aggressor
against England, there would have
been prompt and hearty support
from both Germany and France.
The French embarrassment, how
ever, has probably been removed
by President Kruger.
There is the highest authority
for saying that the Boer president
has submitted to the British gov
eminent his demands for redress
on account of the recent invasion.
II Great Britain refuses to satisfy
them, President Kruger will ap-
peal for assistance to the continent
tai powers. Germany will then
no longer be the leader Of the quar-
rel, and there are strong reasons
for believing that Russia, France
and Germany would act in concert
in complying with the Beers re-
quest.
1t is not known positively what
the Boer demands are, but it is
certain they include more than q
monetary indemnity. 1t is known
that President Kruger received
from Europe strong encourage
ment to demand the complete in
dependence Of the Transvaal, and
he has probably done so.
There is authoritive information
that the German emperor did,
Monday last, declare his intention
to recognize the independence of
the Transvaal republic. 1t is now
clearer than ever, IL he does this,
alone or in combination with
others, war will follow.
1t is curious fact that though
no cabinet council has been held
through all the stages of the crisis,
the principal members have been
in almost daily consultation. To-
day a formal session OF the full
cabinet was held, the most i'm
portant meeting for many years.
1t was continued for over three
hours. From its elaboration it
is learned that the first naval re-
serve has been ordered to hold
themselves ready for call at any
hour. 1t is also stated that the
second naval reserve, comprising
men in the merchantmen service,
have received notice that the
Crown will probably call some of
them out shortly.
IL has been shrewdly suggested
that Lord Salisbury Offset the Boer
demands by a move similar to
Lord Beaconsfield's SueZ canal
coup, by purchasing the entire
Portuguese South African interests,
thus cutting off the Transvaal
from a possible port in Delagoa
Bay, and surrounding the Boer ter
ritory by British possessions.
IL transpires that Germany asked
permission of Portugal to send
troops through her territory to the
Transvaal. The answer was po-
lite refusal.
CAPE Town, Jan. ll.-Messrs.
w. s. Schreiner, crown advocate,
and p. II. Faure, colonial secretary,
decline to cooperate with the new
premier of Cape Colony, Sir j. Cor
don Spring.
1t is asserted that Cecil Rhodes
was aware OF the whole plct which
led up to and included DR.. sJami-
sons raid into the Transvaal.
Rhodes is ill here.
LONDON, Jan. 1.-The Maxim
Nordenfeldt company, manufac-
turers of arms at Erythe, on the
Thames, have obtained permission
from the British government to
consign two truck loads OF small
arms to Pretoria for the Transvaal
government. The arms have
already been shipped.
Mr.. Chamberlain has called on
Hefmeyer, the leader of the Afri-
kander band, and the party having
a majority of the Cape parliament
and who supported Cecil Rhodes