The record-union., 1896-03-29

LONDON, March 2S.-The situation
in South Africa is decidedly serious,
though the Government has not yet
abandoned hope of an amicable ADJUST
ment. President Kruger has notified
Chamberlain that he cannot visit Lon
don until the Volksraad meets in April,
and then only if England will consent
to recognize the independence of the
Transvaal.
In the meantime Kruger has formed
alliances in South Africa, so that if war
comes it will be war with England on
one side and all the Dutch population
on the other; a war that will need for
its suppression more than the 10000
that England is reported to be ready to
send there.
1t is not known accurately at the War
Office what the strength of the Boer
forces alone is that is now ready to take
the field. The representatives of the
United Press learn from an official
source that within three months 1900
Germans are estimated to have entered
the Tranvaal as immigrants and these
are known to be obtaining Transvaal
money The force of Zulus, trained and
commanded by Boer and German Off
GERS, is estimated to number $4,000.
Though their tribal fidelity to the Beers
is doubtful they can be trusted to fight
against the British.
Viewing the whole situation, includ-
ing the troubles in Egypt and else
where, the English people are not likely
to approve the gigantic task of con-
quering the Transvaal, yet they must
face that or the alternative of a declar-
alton of independence from the Trans
vaaI, the Orange Free State, and prob
ably Cape Colony, which would form
the United States of South Africa.
The most serious news yet received
from Rhodesia is that which came to
hand this evening, saying that the ma
tive police had joined the rising. This
puts an entirely different face upon the
trouble, and the suppression of the
trouble, which at first promised to be an
easy matter, now threatens to be
somewhat large undertaking.
The main anxiety of the authorities
here was centered in the conduct of this
, force. Though it is only 800 strong, 1t
will be a powerful factor in spreading
the revolt The natives who served as
police were recruited from the crack
regiments of the old Matabele king
dom. They are well trained, Wei armed
and command a copious supply of am
munition. Altogether the outlook is IN
TO wise as favorable as it was yester-
day for the speedy putting down OF the
revolt.
e"Globe,'' commenting this after
noon on the subject, says that the fever
of revolt is likely to spread to the tribes
beyond Matabeleland, including the
Zulus in the Transvaal, who it was
supposed would fight with the Beers in
the event of hostilities with the Brit
ish. Inquiries made ait the War ONCE
as to the strength of British troops
within range of the revolt only result
ed in making evident the official confu-
sion on the subject Two companies of
the Black Watch Regiment are sta
toned at Mafeking, on the Transvaal
border, and these are the only troops
who are known to be in Rhodesia-
The paper saws that Sir Hercules Rob
inson. Governor of Cape Colony, and
high chief in South Africa, has
strengthened the troops in Rhodesia
recently. but there are no official ad-
vices to that effect The truth seems TO
be that Governor Robinson has not
sent any troops into that country.
To-day's advices confirm the impor-
tance of the Dutch agitation for the
independence of South Africa. A letter
received here from a member of the
Cane Parliament says the English and
Dutch political leaders concur in the be-
lief that the position was never so
threatening in the Transvaal. The
beads of the movement are first amply
providing for their own safety against
a British attack. Many newcomers VINO
are seen in Pretoria are known TO be
German soldiers. They look to be ready
to iostIe the English off the sidewalk.
Every steamer calling at Cape Town,
Durham and Port Elizabeth brings
groups of so-called prospectors, who
are unable to conceal the stamp of the
Disciplined soldier who is still under
military command. Besides the Ger
mans. the Beers are recruiting for
eign legion.
The letter concludes with the state
ment that everybody knows that there
is war ahead, and that plenty Of Brit
ish and Dutch blood will be shed ere
the summers grapes ripen.
The Liberal papers profess to be sat
isfied with the results of the confer
ence Of the National Liberal Fedora
zion held this week at Huddersfield. In
the foyer of the National Liberal Cluo
the members who have returned to
London do not conceal their disappoint-
ment Impartial opinion can only de-
scribe the conference as the most stoiid
and mechanical party gathering that
was ever held in England. The speeches
utterly lacked personal inspiration, and
were kept within the lines dictated by
the wire-pullers. Depression dominated
all the delegates.
Negotiations for new Spanish loan
have been reopened in Paris and Lon
don. 1t is reported that the Spanish
Government is desirous of placing a
lean of fac, 100000, giving as security a
lien on the tobacco monopoly 1t Is
clear that Spain is preparing to carry
on the war in Cuba, as it has been an
nounced that the new Cortes will be
asked to authorize loan for that pur-
pose Since the outbreak of the rebel
lion in February. 1895. the Spanish Gov
ernment has obtained from the Bank of
Spain, the Banque de Paris ct du Pays
Isas and the Spanish banks of Havana
successive advances on Cuban . per
cent. bonds of 1890. Before the end of
August the rebellion will have cost
Spain the sum of f16, 100000. AT pres