The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-30
REMAINS A MYSTERY.
German Newspapers Statement Quashed
by 0fficial Denial.

ny ouclal PENAL.
New York Dec. GA dispatch to
the Tribune from London says: The
Anglo-German agreement remains a
mystery, the Berlin Lokal -Anzeiger's
version having been quashed by Off
cial denial. All well-informed dplo-
mats are convinced, however, that Ger
many will enlarge her colonial possess
sions in some quarter at the end of the
war and will have a free hand when
she wants it in the future in Asia
Minor or elsewhere.
1t is not considered probable that
Lord Salisbury has consented to the
sale of Goa, Macao and Damoa to
Germany, but the future of the East
African possessions of Portugal was
discussed without doubt at the foreign
office with the German ambassador a
year ago. The German emperor and
Mr.. Chamberlain are known to have
held a prolonged consultation at Wind
sor castle a few weeks ago, and by the
process of exclusion the diplomats have
reached the conclusion that East Africa
was the subject which interested them.
1t may be premature or unsafe to
cary out these arrangements at pres
ent. in view of the Russian reprisals in
Herat and the French intrigues in Mo-
rocco, but the shrewdest observers in
diplomatic circles forecast the ultimate
occupation of Delagoa bay by Great
Britain and the enlargement of Ger
many in East Africa southwark to-
ward Zambesi. The German disclosure
is probably true to that extent, but has
been overloaded.
The British government is embar-
rassed without doubt by the Portuguese
neutrality, which cloaks trading on
large scale with the Transvaal. While
the British army does not have a free
passage through Portuguese territory
into the Transvaal on the shortest line
of march to Pretoria, the Beers them
selves are receiving European recruits
and military stores through Lorenzo
Marquee. This back door would be
closed if Delagoa bay were either under
British or Boer jurisdiction, but it re-
mains open under a neutrality which is
useful to trading and double dealing.
1t is evidently inconvenient for the
British government to carry out any
pre-aranged scheme with Portugal and
Germany. The Berne arbitration award
respecting the Delagoa bay railway
cannot be made for three months, and
that will be the base for financial deal
ing with Portugal.
Moreover, Lord Salisbury cannot be
eager to challenge Russia to seize He
rat by the occupation of Delagoa bay.
Meanwhile the right of search at sea
is exercised, and prize courts by con-
demning cargoes of breadstuffs %lay
set awkward precedents for England
herself which is dependent upon i'm
ported food supplies in peace and n
war.
The American proposal for exempt
ing private property from seizure was
not adopted even by The Hague con-
gress, and neutral rights in war time
are subject to the decision of prize
courts, as to what constitutes contra
band of war. This is the thearetical
English view of the case. But in prac-
tice the prize courts at Durham are not
likely to rule that foodstuffs are con-
traband of war, although there is
warrant for it in British seizures and
confiscation of rice during other peri
DDS of histilities.
The war office continues to supply
its daily bulletin of news from the
front, Natal alone being excluded from
its scope. The man in the street is
spared the necessity of reading many
columns of belated and confused dis
patches from news agencies and spe-
cial correspondents. He will see at a
glance this morning that Baden Powell
was safe on Dec. -; that neither Cat
acre nor French has met with any
fresh adventures, and that Methuen
holds his ground at Modder river, "x-
changing gun fire with the enemy and
constantly reconnoiterng with his cav
airy brigade.