Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-26

IOuean hostility, Is the question OF lh0
hour. ald DO is as much my stery 20
many high naval officers as 90 the public.
Tl- exact condition of affairs consists in
ordering the naval reserves 10 Dee In
readiness TO rejoln their ships az twenty
four hours notice, while all the cruisers
OF the reserve class have been notified 10
bee re&dy t0 sail iu the same time-imit
These vessels. though at dOc1-yards, are
never out Of commission, and ore al-
ways supposed 10 be ready for immediate
manning a dozen cruisers. ranging from
GOO 20 uC0) tons. are now only waxing
for the word D. embark their crews.
lu addition % these preparations, work
on the uncOmpleted vessels is being hur-
iied day and night. The special attention
being paid 10 the cruisers - taken by
many naval authorities 10 indicate that
Great Britain intends TO form menscirg
flying squadron using the term me
naciug" because the naval force at sea
now is ample 10 convoy the transports.
and Is thoroughly capable Of preventing
any interference IN South African waters.
CONTINENTAL ANTAGONIST.
While the British officials do not con-
ceal their knowledge of German. French,
and Russian antagonism. and their irri-
tation thereat, they do not give the
slightest hint that European hostility will
crystalllze into any overt act. But tie
belief that Great Britain IS on tile verge
OF a crisis. or even d conflict far greater
than that IN the Transyaal, has many
supporters. though the lack Of all official
confirmation fayOrs thu conservative view
that the remarkable military and naval
activity is due to a desire 10 take thorough
precautions, which. though ominous. have
at present no special bearing upon Great
Brtaius European relations.
Adyices from the Continent strengthen
this view. For instance. the Fremdeu-
biatt. Of Vienna, 10 day says: Nothing
points 10 the eventuality Of tho inteTven-
ton Of Europe in favor OF the Beers"
The paper add that Germany, especial
Is. has resolved mot 10 depart from her
attitude OF neut atty
ASSURANCES TO LEYDs.
on the other hand, the Nrue Weiner
Tagblatt publishes u telegram from the
Transvaal legation az Brussels, announc-
ing that DR.. Leyds has received formal
a assurance that France snd Russia Will
not permit Great Britain 10 annex the
Transvaal or The Orange Free State. This
is discrsditod. however, as IT Is pointed
ont that even II this were the intention o.
the Powers mentioned. they would not
allow their hands TO be shown premature
Isl.
The Russian newspapers may be some
what responsible for the general impress
sion IN regard 10 European Intervention
tbe 81. Petersburg Russhlja advocating
fhat Great Britain be- brought 10 her
senses by a naval demonstration In South
Africa. In which France would take the
lead.
APPROPRIATION BILL PASSED.
LONDON. October S.-The House Of
Commons. BY a vote of "a 20 p, passed
the second reading of the appropriation
bill
sYMONS DOING WELL
CAPE TOWN. October D.-Intslligenes
received here yesterday from Natal says
the bullet has been extracted from thu
wound Of General symons. who was
struck down white leading his troops at
the battle Of Glencoe. and that the pa
tient Is cheerful and doing well.
Advices from Orange river Cape Colo
ny. near the orange Free state border.
announce that the Beers have taken lSrip-
dam. near Bsrkly West north OF Kim
herleV and that Assistant VI gis tFate