Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-10-26
Extraordinary A editions to Brit,
ISL Navy Are Hurried,
TO AWE FRANCE AND RUSSIA
Isumors OF Serlou7 Complications Are re
vived. Great Britain viii Form
Large aud Powerful ..Menac-
Ing Squadron"

Wy i tlcSIdpn)
LONDON. Oct. 2J.-rhc extent Of the
British naval demonstration revealed
by today's information coslppcls Il strong
reitcl alton Of the runlors of serious
complications.
1t is now said that Rear Admiral
Lord Charles Bercscord Will command
the Mediterranean squadron and de-
tails Ct the activity at the dock yards
ana naval stations arc coming in hot
and fast.
The Associated Press learns. Eow-
ever. that whether or not Great Brit
ain seriously fears Russian or French
aggression. the naval preparations have
been under consideration for several
tcntion TO put them in force as soon
as war With the Transvaal was de-
ciared. ueenlng il necessary to in
crease the active strength of the navy
III order to ensure the large fleet Of
transports against every possible con-
tingency.
QUESTION OF THE HOUR.
Whether later Developments have
transformed he admiralty's precau-
tionary measures into preparations
ed by European hostility. is the Ques-
ton of the hour and it is as much Il
mystery to many high naval officers
as to the public. The exact condition
OF affairs consists of ordering the naval
reserves to he in readiness to rejoin
their ships at ~ hours notice, while
all the cruisers Of the reserve class
have been notified to be ready to sail
in the same time limit. These vessels.
though at dock yards, are never out Of
commission. and are always supposed
to be ready for immediate manning.
DOZEN CRUISERS WAITING.
A dozen of cruisers ranging from
5000 to ll,o0o tons are now only wait
ing fer the word to embark the crews.
In addition 70 these preparations
work on the uncomrleted vessels is be
ing hurried day and night The special
attention being paid to the cruisers is
taken by many naval authorities to in
dictate that Great Britain intends to
form a menacinG flying squadron, US
irs the term 'menacng' because the
naval force at SEQ. now is ample to
convey transports and is thoroughly
capable of preventing any interference
in South African waters
While tho British officials do not
conceal their knowledge of German
French. and Russian antagonism and
their irritation thcreat. they do not
give the slightest hint that European
hostility Will crystaliZe into any prob
ALL" overt act. But the belief that
Great Britain is on tie Verge nf Il cri-
sis. or even a conflict for greater than
that in the Transvaal has many sup
norters. though the lack of all official
confirmation favors the conservative
views that the remarkable military
and naval activity is due tn !, desire 10
Take thorough preca utions which.
though unlniouS have at present no
special bearing upon Great Brilains
European relations.
SIGNIFICANT REPORTS
-tdviccs from the continent strength
on this view. For instance, the Frem-
dcnblatt. of Vienna. today, SAYS:
Nothing points To the eventuality
Of the Intervention of Europe in favor
OF the Beers.
The paper adds that Germany cs-
yecialy has resolved mot to depart
from her attitude Of neutrality.
On the other hand the Neues Wei
ncr Tasblatt publishes a telegram from
the Transvaal legation at Brussels an
nouncin" that DR.. LeSds has received
formal assurance that France and
Russia Will not permit Great Britain to
annex the Transvaal or the Orange
Free state. This is discredited. how
ever. as it is pointed out that even il
there We're the intention of the powers
mentioned they would not allow their
hands to be shown prematurely through
the medium Of DR.. Leyds.
The Russian newspapers may be
somewhat responsible for the general
impression in regard to European in
tervention. the st. Petersburg Rus
skiia advocating that Great Britain be
brought to her senses by q naval dem
onstration in South Africa in which
France would take the lead.