Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1900-01-04


France and Russia Are Believed
Allied Against British Purchase.
London correspondents Thursday stat
cd that under the secret stipulation OF
the treaty il has been announced that
Germany will take the Asiatic colonies
under Portugal's rule and the territory
north of the Zambesi river Also Eng
land 10 take possession of Delagoa Bay.
The Lokal Anzciger states that Por-
tugal has already agreed TO sell Ger
many her entire Asatic possessions, com
prising 10000 square kilometers and J.
600, 900 inhabitants, and to England her
entire African possessions, comprising
100000 square kilometers and l3,OOo,-
600 inhabitants. Germany, however, re-
ceives some land in Africa north OF the
Zambesi river, excepting strip three
miles wide which Cecil Rhodes requires
for his projected railway from the cape
to Cairo. The Lokal Anzeiger also says
that the treaty secures Delagoa Bay to
Great Britain against any opposition
from the powers. Germany pays 20
5000 marks to Portugal. The paper
also says that in 1891 Great Britain ac-
quired the right to Delagoa Bay. 1t is
possible now that President Kruger may
declare war on Portugal and attack Della
goa at once.
There can be no dispute Of the fact
that the possession OF Delagoa Bay is go
ing to be the beginning of interna-
tional turmoil. The London Daily Mail
says: THE Portuguese Government has
for IL great many years owed us several
million pounds sterling, which, for friend
ly reasons, we never pressed for repay
ment. The lease Of Delagoa Bay at the
present time, if only for twelve months,
would indicate that they had not alto
gether lost sight of the fact that one
good turn deserves another. Ii they have
lost sight of that fact then it is time we
ceased our benevolent policy in that quar-
ter.'
Coupled with the above Il telegram
from Cape Town to the Daily Mail says:
Beyond question there is Il steady and
continuous stream of recruits for the
Transvaal passing through Delagoa Bay
disguised as civilians. crews Of merchant
vessels. members of continental Red
Cross and other non-combatant corps.
at is suggested that Great Britain
should seize II temporary port at Delagoa
Bay and also the railway leading 10 the
Transvaal Otherwise the war is likely
To be indefinitely prolonged"
The Daily Mail prints ii particularly
hot roast on the Government for the con
duct of the war. Sir Michael Hicks
Beach. chancellor of the eXchequer: Lord
Landsdowne, the war minister, and Com
mandcrin-chief WolSeley, all come in for
share of the Mails attack. The paper
says: '"The reason for British failure in
South Africa is that our men are provid-
ed with inferior artillery: owing TO Hicks
Beach's skinllint policy mules and wag-
ons necessary for the transport of huge
quantities of stores are not yet on the
scene; owing TO the laundering of either
Lord Landsdowne or Lord Wolseley, an
army Of foot soldiers have been sent out
to face Il defending force of mounted
men in country and Il kind Of warfare
in which infantry, unaccompanied by
large bodies of cavalry. have no chance
whatever. We have enough examples to
fill a blue book daily. We do not want
to swap horses while crossing a stream,
but we do want incompetent men remov-
ed from the sphere Of their blunders.
Either Landsdowne or Wolseley should
go. and Hicks-Beach should make way
for iinancier able to manage the huge
money affairs of the war"
The dispatch of the major part Of the
Fifth division with Gen. Warren to Ma
tai bears out the statement that Gen.
Butler would continue operations in Ma
tai independent of Gen. Roberts, who
will devote himself 10 the situation in
Cape Colony. The Fifth division num-
bers 10000 men, and of the eight bat
talions composing il five are now en- route
to Buffers camp. Gen. Warren and staff
left PictermaritZburg for the front Dec.
26 and have probably already arrived
ut Chieyeley camp. 1t is believed here
that upon the arrival Of the re-enforce-
ments Butler will make another attack
on the Beers position. II is not con-
sidered likely that he will again attempt
to force the Beers from the center. but
will rather plan flank operation. TO be
followed by direct assault near the
bridge, aided by the 5000 fresh troops
of the Fifth division.
Winston Churchill. who has reioinod
the British column at Chieveey, sends
a description of the Beers position.
which is sufficiently dscouraging from
the English point Of view. He says:
''The position held by the Beers is OF ex-
traordinary strength high hills lined
with tiers of trenches and galleries ris.
ing from the bank Of the almost unford-
able Tugela river. with q smooth plain
before it, all over which the Beers have
mounted many powerful guns, dominat-
ing all points of attack. The river fords
are commanded by convcrging musketry
fire "