New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-28
GREAT NEWS FROM BERLIN.
ALLEGED SECRET TREATY STIPULA-
TIONS BETWEEN ENGLAND AND
GERMANY.
Copyright; 1920: BY The New-York rribune-l
[BY CABLE TO TIE TRIBUNEl

Copyright; 1920: BY The New-York Tr1buneI
IBY CABLE TO TIE TRIBUNE.l
London. Dec 2S a. m-The announcement
of the Berlin "Lokal Anzeiger" that under the
secret stipulations Of the treaty Germany will
take Portugaps Asiatic colonies and the terri
tory north Of the. Zambesl and England Della
goa Bay is the most startling news Of the day.
The authority is not official. and the statement
of concerted action by the two Powers against
French and Russian occupation must be ac-
cepted with reserve until the Foreign Offices
confirm it. The alleged payment Of 25'OOOOOo
marks for Germany's share in this territorial
trade also seems doubtful. Some disclosure OF
this kind has been expected in diplomatic cir
cles for several weeks. since the necessity for
shutting off the supplies Of arms and ammuni-
ton from the Transvaal has become apparent
with the prolongation of the war.
RUSSIA WATCHES HERAL
While the Russian press forecasts the occupa-
tion Of Herat as the first consequence Of British
occupation of Delagoa Bay. the French journals
are curious TO know what the Washington Gov
ernnent will do respecting the seizure OF Amer
lean vessels by the British navy. Whatever
that action may be- reports that Mr.. Choate
has intervened in the matter are premature and
unfounded The British prize courts will with
ont doubt be allowed to do their work precisely
as the American prize courts operated during
the war with Spain. and questions OF contra
band Of war and neutral rights will be argued
IN due course Russian and French rumors that
all neutral Powers will intervene If England
takes effective measures for closing the back
door against the entrance Of contraband or war
into the Transvaal are colOred by the general
belief that there is a secret agreement with
Germany relating to any emergency which may
arise on the East Coast.
The War Office has repeated the experiment
of supplying the country with a brief summary
OF news from the seat Of war apart from the
casualty lists While the situation is reported
10 be unchanged, General Gatacre's motive In
occupying Dordrecht is disclosed a desire to
reopen communication with the Indwe collieries.
and General Methuen's force IS shown to be
vigiantly watching the enemy and recommending
his lines with mounted infantry. The Boer force
bevond the Modder River Is also reported to be
Increasing and the Queens message has been
received by the soldiers with great enthusiasm.
This news is OF greater value than the belated
dispatches from both Gatacre and Methuen re-
ceiyed from special correspondents.
From Buffers headquarters there is no Of
fetal news, but there are lively accounts Of out
most skirmshing in front OF Colenso. in which
the Beers killed two men one day and the Brit
ish two men the next day. one surprise following
the other like Roland for an oliver These
outnost affairs bring out the high utility Of the
Natal mounted force. the value OF which has
been AT last appreciated by the British generals
for the work Of scouting.
From Cape Town comes record that battal-
ions OF infantry are going 10 Durham, and
that a serious Dutch conspiracy has been dis
covered during the holidays
THE MYSTERY OF MAcRUM.
Consul Macrum will not arrive in England
until week after next. His retirement from
office at Pretoria is a mystery here, as it Is In
Washington. Nobody connected with the Amer
lean Embassy has the slightest clew, and his
arrival in London is awaited with great interest
South Africans who were acquainted with him
In Pretoria describe him as man OF tle force
who was unequal to the responsibilities OF an
important post "a war time. He had few friends
in either Pretoria or johannesburg among the
American or English residents. representa-
tive Of one Of the largest mining companies in
the Transvaal telh me that Mr.. Macrum was
more intimate with Mr.. Reitz. State Secretary
Of the Transvaal. than with anybody else, and
was not only string partisan Of the BOel
cause, but was also hostile to British interests
and did not hesitate TO display his dislike foi
Epglishmen on public occasions He lived mod
EVANS DoUBLk coMBINATIoN