The San Francisco call., 1896-01-10
Demand That England Assert
Herself and Stop Further
Interference.
NAVAL PREPARATION PROCEEDS
Instructions for Commissioning of Tor.
pedo-DestroyerS and Mobilization
of Land Forces.

LONDON, Eng, Jan. 9.-Dispatches
from Cape Colony continue to dribble in,
but the freshest of them received to- day
was two days old, showing that the tele.
graph and cable companies are either
clearing up the accumulation of old busi-
ness, or that the Government still refuses
to allow the transmission of news dis
patches.
Much interest is manifested here in the
receipt of intelligence that will show the
attitude of the Hon. Cecil Rhodes, lately
Prime Minister of Cape Colony, who is
strongly suspected of having much to do
with the dispatch of DR.. Jamesons force
to the TransvaaI. But until the norm al
condition OF the telegraphic service is re-
sumed, nothing ON this point can be stated
definitely, and nothing but speculation
can!be INDUCED in.
On the Continent it is openly charged
that not only was Mr.. Rhodes fully cog
infant of the movements of Dr. Jameson.
but that the British Government was also
aware OF what was going on. Had the
raid been successful Great Britain, accord
ing to the belief in Europe, would have
stepped in and occupied the country,
ostensibly to protect her subjects, but
really to establish an occupation similar
| to that in Egypt, which is tantamount to
the annexation of the country. AS the
raid resulted in most miserable fiasco the
| British Government is accused of attempt.
ing to forestall condemnation bv emphar-
lcally denying any prior knowledge of the
matter and OF taking measures to prevent
| the departure of che expedition after il
| knew 1t had departed ana had resulted in
a failure. OF course, these statements are
denied here, and the Government news
papers insist that Mr.. Chamberlain. the
Colonial Secretary, has acted throughout
with clean hands,
AT any rate it can be said, so far as the
Transvaal is concerned, that the Govern
menu had done everything in its power to
prevent the raid from affecting any more
than possible the relations between Great
| Britain and the South African republic,
| But that the troubles have affected the
British foreign relations, more particularly
those with Germany, there is no denial.
| Since the fact became known that EN-
peror William had, before the Jameson
raid, decided to intervene in the Transvaal
| the feeling against Germany has greatly
| increased in bitterness. The naval prep
aratiOns now being made meet with the
fullest popular approval, and the more
| fiery among those who are in favor of war
declare that the time has come for Great
Britain to assert herself in her might and
teach Germany that she will brook no
interference with her suzerainty in the
Transvaal.
Those of calmer blood hold that court
| interference against any hostility toward
Germany will be sufficiently powerful to
prevent an outbreak, but court interference
does not and cannot control the popular
demand, which is decidedly in favor of
warfare.
A dispassionate view of the situation
| leads to the belief, however, that the ex-
citement will soon die away and matters
resume their normal condition.
The naval preparations, however, are
proceeding apace. In addition to the
flying squadron. which has been ordered
to be put in readiness, instructions were
issued to-day for the immediate commits
sioning of twenty torpedo-destroyers.
All these preparations, together with the
mobilization of the land forces, do not
necessarily mean that there will be war.
In well-informed circles it is believed that
they simply mean that the Government is
on the alert against any emergency that
may arise, and, should conditions demand
it, it will be ready to strike a swift blow
against any enemy.
The best criterion of the situation is to
be found at the Stock Exchange, where
the tone and prices respond to every touch
of fear or hope. This morning the mar
kets displayed sanguine tone and consols
advanced from yesterdays closing prices.
Later there was a slight Decline but On
the whole there was an advance as com.
pared with the values of yesterday.
Altogether it can be said that there ap-
pears to be an improvement in the sltua-
ton, and unless new and unforeseen:diffi-
culties arise it is thoug ht the pending
questions will be settled automatically
and not by war.
Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State
for the Colonies, has sent the following
telegram to President Kruger of the South
African republic:
II have received the command of the
Queen to acquaint you with the fact that
her Majesty has heard with satisfaction
that you have decided 10 hand over DR..
| Jameson and the other prisoners to the
British authorities. This act will rebound
| to your credit and your honor, and con-
duce to the peace of South Africa. The
| harmonious cooperation of the British
and Dutch races is necessary to South Afri-
cas- future development and prosperity"