Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-31
THE DEI.coA RAY QUESTION.

A day or so ago the Berlin Local An
zeiger published what purported to be
the terms OF secret treaty between
Great Britain and Germany. under which
those two Powers. for a monetary con-
sideratiOn to Portugal, were to be permit
ted to partition the Portuguese posses
siOns in Africa and Asia. Great Britain,
it was stated. was to get Delagoa Bay
and a strip OF adjacent Portuguese coast
territory, and Germany was to have all
tho rest.
The details OF the Local Anzeigers
revelation were promptly denied, but so
far there has been no denial Of the main
fact. On the contrary. semi-oflcial ad-
mission has been made in Berlin that
there is an understanding between Great
Britain and Germany Cooking to event
ualities." That this understanding eX-
listed had long been suspected. The sus-
picion received coloring from Great Bri-
tain's consent that the Kaiser might
have a free hand I'm Asia Minor; from
German concession Of Geographic line
right Of way to the British In Africa;
from certain conferences the German
Emperor had with members of the Bri-
fish ministry during Williams recent
visit to England; from Portugaps desper-
ate impecuniosity, ana most OF all. from
the fact that British domination Of De-
lagoa Bay would be the logical con-
comitant OF the establishment of British
hegemony on the Dark Continent, as the
result Of destroying the autonomy Of the
Transvaal and the orange Free State.
Nevertheless, the admission is impor-
tant. II clears the outlook considerably,
and dlsposes Of many '1fs" and contin-
gencies. il furnishes assurance that
Great Britain will not be hampered by
any continental neighbor in the task she
has set herself in going TO war with the
Beers
Knowing definitely where Germany
stands we also know definitely where
Austria. Hungary and Italy stand; for
Germany IS the dominating party 10 the
Dreibund. This combination would elimi-
nate any danger from France and Rus
STA, even If the former did not have
an eva 10 the success of her exposition
and the latter was not fully occupied in
the far East Practically, the situation
has been proclaimed TO be such that
Great Britain could, without danger OF
precipitating grave complications, seize
Delagoa Bay at any time she might fad
the act necessary for tie prosecution Of
will zha
seize il. or wait to acquire ii in the regu-
lar order of the proceedings, which, Lord
Salisbury has limited. have been held up
by the arbitration Of the Delagoa Bay
railway controversy? The chances are
we imagine, that unless the worst comes
10 the worst with her Ia the way OF mill
tary difficulties. she will take the slower
course. Delagoa bay is Tie nearest point
on the east coast OF Africa to the capital
of the Transyaal, and il is thoroughly
understood that in pushing operations
from there the British would be moving
along the line of least re sstance But IL
is also well understood that British pres
tige would be best served by moving TO
victory along The line Of greater resist
ance-that Is, by Great Britain's fighting
her way to Pretoria from her original
bases Of attack The fact is that, what
with Nicholson's Neck, Stormberg,
Magersfontein, and Tugela river. Great
Britain can III afford an easy triumph-a
triumph that would not thoroughly test
the mettle OF her soldiers and vindicate
British generaiship. There is more in
volved 70 her than the bare achievement
OF conquering the Beers. In conquerng
them she must prove TO the world that
TO rate her as a declining military power
Is a serious mistake. For whatever guar
antee she may now have OF non-interfer-
ence from continental neighbors. there is
no telling how soon after the conclusion
OF the Roer war there may be a change
OF the adjustment in Europe. Therefore,
we do not look for arbitrary anticipation
OF the agreement by Great Britain, unless
she Is driven TO eNtremities. which, de-
spite her reverses up 10 this time. and
her gross miscalculations of the strength
OF the enemy. are not as yet foreshadow-
ed.