Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1896-01-17
WAR IDEA is SECUTED
Talks Peace and Gets Warships
Ready for Action.
WATCH Is KEPT ON GERMANY
The Fleet Will Probably Be Dispatched
10 Delagoa Bay on the Slightest
Pretext.

London, Jan. lin view of the as
sembling of British fleets for active SER
vice and the many clouds lowering over
the horizon of politics, the cabinet meet
Ing today is entitled to rank as one of
the most momentous in the history of
Great Britain. The ministers had to
decide several questions of vital i'm
portance to the British empire, includ-
Ing the Transvaal, Armenian and Ven
ezuelan difficulties and Great Britain S
position toward the old European pow
ers 1t is striking fact that although
the present cabinet is one of the larg-
est on record, it is unanimous upon all
the leading questions under discussion.
The latest advices from the Transvaal
would seem on their face to indicate
that the situation is in no way hopeful
as 1t was couple of days ago, in spite
of official statements to the contrary
and it is believed that the cabinet is
considering most unlocked for demands
on the part of President Kruger-de-
mands which it is intimated Great
Britain can not possibly concede.
On the stock exchange today there
were rumors that the government in
quiry will lead to the startling revela-
tons that the whole plot was Matched
by group of financiers in London.
In addition the statement Is made
by a financial paper that Barney Bar
nato, the so-called "Kaffir king" who
has considerable holdings in Delagoa
bay, has offered to sell the same to the
British government, which is consider
ing the matter. This may explain the
reported purchase of Delagoa bay from
Portugal by Great Britain.
The war feeling against Germany has
greatly subsidized and the issue of trou-
BILE is freely described as rebuff for
Emperor William, inasmuch as the Ger
man newspapers have changed their
tone and the papers printing what were
regarded as inspired articles and what
first threatened Great Britain, are now
distinctly climbing down.
Another feature of the situation is
the feeling that France, although she
| would perhaps like to see Great Britain
seriously injured, would never allow
Germany to win, but would seek a pre-
text while Germany was crippled to Sc
cure revenge for 1901.
According to the Westminster Ga
zette, Germany's recent attitude on the
Armenian question has alienated Great
Britain and led to the approachment OF
the latter country to France, and the
marquis of Salisbury, it asserts, sug-
gested to the powers an international
agreement by which Russia was to be
| entrusted with the pacification of Ar
menia. France and italy, it is added
We're willing, but the proposition col
lapsed through the opposition of Ger
many.
| Discussing the Transvaal situation
| the Westminster Gazette regards the al
legged demands of the Beers for compen
sation with skepticism and adds: al
1 is a trivial question. almost tusig
nificant a one as the ownership of the
swamp on the other side of the Schom
burg line"
In the meanwhile, preparations fol
war are being actively pushed by Great
Britain, although little is heard from
Germany on the same subject Three
tons of Lee Metford rifles have beer
received at Chatham for the warships
which are being commissioned to form
a part of the flying squadron and sup
plies of cartridges. shells, provisions
and other warlike supplies are beini
added to in all quarters every hour