The morning news., 1899-12-31
WAR ABSoRBS THE GERMANS.
SOME THINK THAT ENGLAND WILL
LOSE CAPE COLONY.


son for the BritIsh-Germany's
New Naval Programme Due in
Great Measure 10 south African
War-Germany's Views as to Della
goa bay situation.
Copyright, 1889. by the Associated Press.)
Berlin. Dec SO.-The South African war
overshadows everything else here. The
correspondent OF the Associated Press has
just had an Interesting interview with the
Liberal leader Dr. Barth. who Is one of
the most steadfast friends OF Great Brit
a!n ard America, but who also condemns
this war. DR. Barth safe.
AT present il looks as II England might
lose the whole of South Africa ! have
private Information from Africa, via Hoi-
land. according to which the rebel,ious
movement among the Cape Beers has as
sumed much more serious proportions
than the English newspapers admit. There
never was a greater piece Of political stu
pidity than that shown by Mr.. Chamber
lain Ia provoking war without having
made the necessary military preparations.
II England had only waited a few years
she could have had everything without
war.
If England is totally defeated this war
will be the best thing for the world, even
for England. 1t will be a lesson she will
not soon forget. Il will have a wholesome
influence upon the jingoes of all countries,
including Germany.
The navy scheme. which IS almost sure
of adoption. must be understood to be
in a .
rica, all fine phrases offered in explanation
Notwithstanding. The increase was de-
cided upon because Germany has lost con-
idence in the men who are shaping Eng
lands policy. The brutality of the present
English policies renders Germany's posi-
ton too insecure. What happens in the
Transvaal to-day on land may happen to
Germany upon the sea tomorrow Dis
trust of England makes it necessary for
Germany to be strong at sea, so that Inc
English jingoes win think twice before at
tack Germany. If the English statesmen
OF to-day were of the type of Gladstone
aud Morlay, we should have no concern;
but with such political jack-o'-lanterns as
Mr.. Chamberlain at the helm, we do not
know what to expect, and must arm for
any eventually"
May Lose Cape Colony.
The German press generally, during the
last few days. has expressed the opinion
that Great Britain will lose not only the
war but also South Africa. military
writer in the Deutscho Mages Zeltung
says:
ut is no fonger a question of whether
ENGLAND will no4 subjugate the Boer re-
publics, but of whether she will also lose
Cape Colony. 1t is true England will re-
tain the harbors for they lie under the
guns of Engl sh ships, but the interior she
will lose, and instead of the dreamed-of
England will only keep a number of ports
This will probably be the issue of the
war If England does not hurry up and con-
clude peace"
From an excellent authority the CORE
spondent of the Associated Press hears
that Great Britain has instructed her
minister at The Hague, Sir Henry How
ard to sign the peace convention with the
reservation of article 10, all the conference
Powers having consented to such reser-
walton.
The new German civil code goes into
effect Jan. ].
The German papers are publishing the
annual and century reviews, the general
tone being satisfactory with the turn Ger
man affairs have taken.
One of the reforms to be carried out in
1900 will be in connection with the Berlin
criminal police, which is grossly ineffi-
Client The reform will be thorough, COM
prising the training. promotion ana dis
tribution of the force. Hereafter the
criminal policemen will be chosen from
civil life and their number will be in
creased.
Cold weather in Germany.
While the weather here has moderated,
the reports from elsewhere in Germany
tell of severe cold letter carrier named
Luedtke was frozen to death while On duty
at Damnatz and another named Anton
Baumann was killed by the cold a Frank
fort-on-t he Main. The snow lies phenom-
enally high in the mountains.
Al the Royal Opera tomorrow n ght will
take place the first performance of the
fairy opera, king Drosselbart" the text
by Delmer and the music by Kulen-
kampff
perfect epidemic of weddings broke
out here, the number of persons married
| being six times the ordinary number.
The correspondent of the Associated
| Press learns in government circles that
! Germany does not believe the report that
Great Britain intends to take decisive
steps soon al Delagoa bay II is admitted
/ that Germany would be Informed before
hand If any serious step was intended.
and the reports circulated are considered
| to be ballons dessai issued by the coun-
| tries interested in preventing Great Brit
! ain from getting Delagoa bay.
| Mrs Beehler, wife of Lieut.. Command
/ er w. H. Beehler the United States naval
/ attache viii be presented at court at the
next general reception.
The launching of the Hamburg -Ameri-
can Line steamer Deutschland. which
was to have occurred Jan. 3 at Stettin, has
| been postponed because Of the heavy ice
| in the river Oder.