Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-10-26
tBy Telegraph to vlrgln,an-pnot.,

Ny 1tiSes 1pi To IL
Queenstown, Oct. 25.-The British
cruisers Furious, Pelorus and Pactolus
sailed from here this afternoon Ell route
TO Cape Clear. where they will meet
eight battleships and two cruisers OF
the Channel squadron, from the north
Of Ireland. The fleet will then procAsd
ostensibly to Glbrultars,but it is thought
that possibly the fleets destination Is a
Spanish or Portuguese port. rs the YES
sells have taken out bills OF health from
the consus of those countries.
REVIVAL OF RuMoRs.
London. Oct. 25.-The extent OF the
br!tish naval demonstration revealed by
1o-day'S information, causes n strong
Ireiteration OF the runors of serious for
etsn complications. II Is now said that
Reur-tadmiral Lord Charles Beresford
VIII command the Mediterranean
squadron, anu details OF the activity
in the dock-yards and naval stations
are coming in hot and fast. The Asso-
GATED Press learns that, whether or not
Great britain seriously fears Russian
or French aggression, the naval pre-
NarotionS have been under consider
tioi for several months, and 1t was the
4ldmlralty's intention to put them in
Iofce as soon as war with the TransvnnI
was declared, dcemlng 1t necessary to
increase the active strength of the navy
III order TO ensure the large fleet OF
transports against every possible con-
urgency. Whether later DEVELOPMENTS
nave transformed the Admiralty's pre-
cautionury measures into preparations
FOR Il naval demonstrat ton, necessitnted
by european hostility, is the question
OF tie hour. and 1t is as much q mys-
terry 10 many high naval officers as TO
the public. The exact condition OF
niiairs consists of ordering the naval
Selr tn tr1 :
theif ships ut twenty-four hours no.
ice while all the cruisers OF the re-
serve class have been notified to be
ready to sail In the same time limit.
ihese vessels. though at dock-yards,
nre never out of commission and are
always supposed to be ready for i'm
mediate manning.
~ dozen OF cruisers. ranging from
5000 To 1000 tons, are now only walt
ing Tor the word to embark the crews.
uNCoMPLETED VESSELS.
Tn addition to these preparation.
work on the uncompeted vessels Is
being hurried day and night. The spe-
cias attention being paid to the cruis-
crs Is taken hy many naval authori-
ties 10 indicate that Great Britain In
'ehus 10 FORM menacng flying squad
ron, using the term "menacins" be-
cause the naval force at sea now rs
ample to convoy the transports, and is
thoroughly capable CT preventing any
interference In South African waters.
a CRISIS IMMINENT.
While the British officials do not
conceal their knowledge of German
French and Russian antagonism ana
their idditation threat. they do not give
| me slightest hint that European hos
tility will crystalize into any probable
overt act. But the belief that Great
Britain Is on the verge of q crisis, or
even conflict far greater than that
In the Transvaal, has many supporters,
though the lack of all official confirma-
tioh favors the conservative Views that
me remarkable military and naval ac-
tivity is due to desire to take thor
ough precautions. which, though oml-
nous, have at present no special bear
Ing upon Great Brltain's European re-
! latlonS.
Advices from the Continent strength
en- this view. For instance, the F'rem-
denblatt. Of Vienna, to-day says:
Nothing points to the eventuality OF
| the intervention of Europe in favor Of
/ the Beers"
! The paper adds that Germany espe-
! CHILLY has resolved mot to depart from
her attitude of neutrality"
CONTINUED on Six Fage.)
/