New-York tribune., 1899-12-29
ANGLO GERMAN AGREEMENT
THE BERLIN DISCLOSURES NOI ALL
SMOKE-THE PROBLEM OF
DELAGOA BAY.
rco,v-irht. 1899: BY The New-York Tribune.l

TCopyrght; 1899: BY The Ney-fnrk IriDune.I
ley CABLE THE TR1BUNE.l
London Dec 20 ] a. m.-The Anglo-German
agreement remains mystery. the Berlin Lo-
kal Anzeiger's" version having been quashed
by official denial. All well Informed diplomatists
are convinced however, that Germany will en-
large her colonial possessions in some quarter
At the end Of the war, and will have free
hand when she wants it in the future In Asia
Minor or elsewhere. 1t is not considered proba-
bic that Lord Salisbury has consented to the
sale of Goa Macao and Damao 20 Germany but
the future OF the East African possessions OF
Portugal was discussed without doubt at the
Foreign Office with the German Ambassador
a wear ago The German Emperor and Mt.
Chamberlain are known TO have held q pro-
ionged consultation at Windsor a few weeks
ago and by the process Of exclusion the dlpIo-
mats have reached the conclusion that East
Africa was the subject which interested them
IT may be premature unsafe 10 carry out
these arrangements at present. in view Of Rus
sian reprisals in Herat and Of French intrigues
in Morocco but the shrewdest observers In
diplomatic circles forecast the ultimate occupa-
ton of Delagoa Bay by Great Britain and the
enlargement Of German East Africa southward
TO the lambert. The Berlin disclosure is proba-
bly, accurate to that extent, but has been over
loaded with fiction respecting Portuguese pos
sessions within the Indian sphere.
AN OPEN DOOR TO THE TRANsvAAL.
The British Government is embarrassed with
out doubt by the Portuguese neutrality. which
cloaks trading large scale with the Trans
Vaal. While the British army does not have
free passage through Portuguese territory into
the Transvaal on the shortest line Of march TO
Pretoria the Beers themselves are receiving
European recruits and military stores through
Lourenco Marques. This back door would be
closed IL Deagoa Bay were either under British
or Boer Jurisdiction, but II remains open under
q neutrality which is useful for trading and
double dealing 1t is evidently inconvenient for
the British Government to carry out any pre-
arranged 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 basis OF the 1nan-
cial dealings with Portugal. Moreover Lord
Salisbury cannot be eager TO challenge Russia
TO seize Herat by the occupation OF Delagoa
Bay.
Meanwhile the right Of search at sea is exer
cised and prize courts by condemning cargoes
OF breadstuffs may set awkward precedents for
England herself which is dependent upon i'm
ported food supplies in peace and in war The
American proposal for exempting private prop
erty from seizure was not adopted even by The
Hague Congress- and neutral rights in wartime
are subject to the decision of prize courts as
TO what constitutes contraband OF war This is
the theoretical English view OF the case, but in
practice the prize courts at Durham are not
likely to rule that foodstuffs are cortraband Of
war. although there is a warrant for 1t in
British seizures and confiscation Of rice during
other periods Of hostties.
The War Office continues to supply It's 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 dispatches
from news agencies and special correspondents.
He will at glance this morning that Baden
Powell was safe on December II; that neither
datacre nor French has met with any fresh
adventure, and that Methuen holds his ground
at Modder River. exchanging gun fire with the
enemy and constantly reconnoitring with his
cavalry brigade. The Beers have been chal-
lenging General Methuen 10 renew the fighting.
The War Office bulletins are also gaining in
variety. To-day's includes reference to a heavy
rainfall; this is a close approach TO weather
report There is also something like q market
report General Methuen has established a
market at Modder River where tea and other
dry groceries are exchanged for milk and vege-
tables. This bulletin helps to dispel apprehen-
sion respecting General Methuen's ability to
keep communications open behind him. for there
is a direct reference to a reconnaissance north
and west OF Enslin.
There are few press dispatches from this quar-
ter but the War Office supplies information
that is definite and reassuring Rumors of i'm
In this country po%Imery cry Champagne .ss is sold
clamDaQnes soo1 ~