The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-26

Inc oIler OF Gen. Cronje, the BOer COM
nander in the vicinity of Mafeking, to Col
Ioaden-Fowel to exchange prisoners, re-
ferred to Capt Nesbltt and others of the
afmored train wrecked at Kraaipan.
some significance is attached at Cape
4oWh TO the proclamation issued at Pre-
torla by the Transvaal government, with
the view to safeguard British property.
Dutch May Join the Beers.
The situation in the west is becoming
complicated The Boer proclamation of
annexation and the claims of a victory at
Glencoe are likely to induce the Dutch to
side with their countrymen already in the
field. It is said, for instance. that the
Boer forces have evacuated Vryburg
which, 1t is added, will be garrisoned by
the local Dutch among whom are prom
lnent Bundites and government employees
II IS also believed that the Dutch beyond
Griquatown are only awaiting encourage
ment to declare for the Transvaal
Advices from Phillipstown yesterday say
that the searchlights of the Kimberley de-
lenses were visible the previous night and
that Kimberley is still intact.
The latest dispa ch from Kimberley gives
details of the arrangements made by the
British commander, Col. Kekewiche, for
the defense of the town The meat con-
sumption is mited to a pound daily.
dispatch from Maseru. dated Oct. o.,
says Commissioner Iagden was then start
ing to meet LerOthodi and other Basuto
chiefs at Putiatsuz river where the chiefs
have assembled at the request of Lerotho-
di to pledge their loyalty to the Queen.
A dispatch from Durham daied Oct. p,
says authentic Information has reached
there from Monmouth Zululand, that on
Sunday large Boer force was approach
ing. The inhabitants forthwith entered
Fort Maxwell, anticipating an attack at
dawn Monday
According to a Brussels dispatch, Dr.
Lcyds, the diplomatic agent of the Trans
vaal in Europe, has issued a statement
that the Beers have now nearly 100000 men
in the field, made up as follows:
Boer regulars, $4,000; artillery, $50; po-
lice. 1,750; Orange Free State Beers in-
cluding Outlanders $1,000; Natal Beers,
5000; Bechuanaland and Rhodesian Beers,
S,0C0; foreign legion, 5000; American 4,OO0;
Germans $780, Dutch-Belgians, 1000; Irish,
LOCO; Scandinavian, 600; French, Swiss and
Italians, eco.
The Jews, 1t appears, are doing police
duty.
A Special dispatch from Pretoria via
Lorenzo Marquee, dated Oct. "a, purports
to give an interview with one of the high
est Transvaal executives, who is quoted
as having urged that while the Boer sue
cesses were yet unimportant there was
still time for an amicable settlement as he
believed the Beers had been misled as to
real issue.
Foreign Complications.
London, Oct. 25.-The extent of the Brit
ish naval demonstra revealed by to-
days information causes a strong reiter-
alton of the rumors of serious foreign COM
plications.
1t is now said that Rear Admiral Lord
Charles Deresford will command the Med
iterrauean squadron, and details of the ac-
tivity a the dockyards and naval stations
are coming in hot and fast.
The Associated Press learns, however,
that whether or not Great Britain seri-
ously fears Russian or French aggression,
the naval preparations have been under
consideration for several months, and 1t
was the admiralty's intention TO put them
in force as soon as war with the Trans
vaal was declared, deeming it necessary
to increase the active strength of the
aavy in order to insure the large fleet of
transports against every possible contin-
gency.
Whether later developments have trans
formed the admiralty's precautionary
measures into preparations for a naval
demonstration, necessitated by European
hostility, is the question of the hour, end
ii is as much a mystery to many high
naval officers as 10 the public The exact
condition of affairs consists of ordering
the navel reserves to be In readiness to
rejoin their ships a twenty-four hours
notice, while all the cruisers of the re-
serve class have been notified to be ready
to sail in the same time limit.
These vessels, though at doclyards, are
never out of commission and are always
supposed to be ready for immediate man
ming.
A dozen cruisers ranging from 5000 to
II 900 tons are now only waiting for the
word 10 embark the crews.
Work Is Being Hurried.
In addition to these preparations work
on the uncompleted vessels is being hur-
ried day and night. The special attention
being paid to the cruisers is taken by
many naval authorities to indicate that
Great Britain intends to form a menacing
flying squadron, using the term ''menac-
ing" because the naval force at sea now
is ample to convoy the transports and is
thoroughly capable of preventing any in
reference in South African waters.
While the British officials do not con-
ceal their know edge of German, French
and Russian antagonism and their irrita-
ton thereat, they do not give the slight
est hint that European hostility will crys-
talize into any probable overt act. But
the belief that Great Britain Is on the
verge of q crisis, even a confiict far
greater than thai in The TransVaal has
many supporters though the lack or All
official confirmation favors the conserva-
and naval activity is due to a desire 10
take thorough precautions which, though
ominous, have at present no special bear
mo unon Great Brltain's European rela-
tions.
intervention Not Expected.
Advices from the continent strengthen
This view. For instance, the Fremdenblatt
of Vienna to-day says:
Nothing points to the eventuaiity Of
the intervention of Europe in favor of the
Beers"
The paper adds that Germany especially
has resolved mot TO depart from her at
thude Of neutrality"
on the other hand the Neuese Weinei
Tageblatt publishes a telegram from the
Transvaal legation at Brussels announc-
ing that DR.. I.eyds has received formal as
surance that France and Russia VIII not
hermit Great Britain TO annex the Trans
yaal or the Orange Free state. This is
d;scredited however as 1t is pointed out
that even il this were the intention OF the
Powers mentioned they would not allo"