The Portland daily press., 1896-02-17

London, February 15.-The tone Of the
Conservative and Liberal speeches in the
debate last night in the House of Com
monsa and the consequent comments to-
day OF the newspapers of both parties,
disclose the fact that there is a current
of opinion favorable to British interyen-
tion in the Trans vaal on the pretext of
defending the rights Of foreign residents
of that republic.
The Spectator says that the possibility
OF a terrible war uaderlies the deolara-
ton Of Baron Marschall Won Bierber-
stein, the German foreign minister, that
Germany will not abandon her rosolv We to
interfere in the affairs of the Transvaal.
Tho paper declares it thinks that If Great
Britain was fairly reused, there would be
no danger of Parliament refusing the de-
manu OF the government for munitions of
war, bat aads thai it is doubtful if the
country even now is aware OF the dread
tut SuaGenn6ss with winch An extreme
emergency may arise.
The latest uespsrches from Cape Colony
confirm tins yiuw generally entertained
here thai the Voiksbrdad OF the Trans
Yaal VIII decide that it would not be
to make WISH to England. i he news
| papers OF Natal say they expect that the
negotiations between Great Britain and
tho Transgaal Will emu in rupture of
diplomatic relations and that this will be
followed by hosnlities. According to the
Natal Advertiser only a miracle can
avert q war.
Lord Cromer, the British agent and
consul general in Eg1p pit will make a
visit to hngiand In April. Reports from
Cairo associate his journey with new
deal regarding the British occupation of
Egypt. 1t is said that Lord Salisbury,
following the krencn policy, will offer to
avaouate the country and nave IL placed
under joint European control. The Ger
man and Boer trouble influences settle
ment OF the question of the dispute be-
tween Great Britain and France regard
ing the boundaries of the Niger terri
tories is ON the evs of being arranged.
The debate in the House of Commons on
tine address in reply to the Queens speech
will aioss on Thursday. According to the
Pail Mall Gazette the debate on the
Venezuelan arbitration amendment will
elliott from the ministers a declaration
that there is cordial entente with Wash
in2ton regarding the procedure to be fol-
lowed in deciding the claims OF Great
Britain.
The representative of the United Press
the war Office, acting under orders from
the government, has made every prepar-
alton to send an army corps of 20, 900 men
TO South Africa. Despite the silence OF
the English papers auu in tn face of the
possible deniais, the absolute accuracy
of this statement can be relied upon.
The war office was consulted by the
government the week after Emperor
William sent mis- dispatches to Presidents
kruger az to how lonar It Enuld take 20
land fully equipped army in Natal.
Plans were prepared between the war
officer and this admiralty with the result
that it was reported that all expedition
could be ready within three months. Th.
details OF thu scheme are known only 60
the beads of the war offioe..and the mem
bers OF the inner cabinet, but the infor-
nation received by the representative of
tho United Press points to large CON
tingent being drawn from India's caval-
~, artillery and infantry. includin
Sikhs and other native troops