THE TRANSVAAL.

Evening Star, Issue 9911, 24 January 1896, Page 2

THE TRANSVAAL.

[Per Press Association.] -

LONDON, January 23,

The Admiralty and Naval Departments are making preparations to let large contracts for the purchase of Australian preserved meats.

Mr Gladstone, in a strongly-worded lotter, condemns Dr Jameson's action it) the Transvaal, and hopes that Great Britain will arbitrate on the matter.

Dr Janlesoft, On behalf of himself and prisoners, thanks President Krugerfor the leniency extended towards him. BERLIN, January 23.

The Emperor declares that if the Reichstag will not agree to increase the navy he will appeal to the patriotism of the electors. The proposal is to spend from five to twenty million sterling. Prince Hohenlohe, the Chancellor, is hostile to the expenditure, and it is likely that he will resign.

PREPARING FOR EVENTUALITIES. LONDON, January 23.

The Marquis of Lansdowne,.Secretary of State for War, has promised to give orders to convert the big guns into the latest patterns, to create an artillery reserve, and to maintain the army at its full strength. The hew flying squadron goes to Ben Haven (sic) to await sailing orders.

A GERMAN OPINION.

BERLIN, January 23.

The 'Vossiche Zeitung' contends that Mr Chamberlain's speech at the Lamington banquet confirms the belief that the British Cabinet were aware of Dr Jameson's plot to seize the Transvaal.

At the present juncture the following extract from the letter of au ex-Inveroargill resident, Mr Mark F. Morgan, dated Johannesburg, December 13, 1895, will be read with interest: —" I ani afraid we are going to have another row with the Boers. The English, or Uitlanders, want the country, and will.not be content until they get it. Cecil Rhodes is up to some deep games, and is gradually hemming the Transvaal all in. I see that he is acquiring the Beira Railway from the Portuguese, and there i« a rumor that the British Government are now the largest shareholders in the Delagoa Bay Railway. The Boers have sent their Secretary to Germany to intercede with England in case of a rising here. The English here are very suspicious of Rhodes and his federation policy. They think his aim is to be President, and then of course to throw off the British yoke. But he is reckoning without his host if this be his intention. The Boer Government will, without a doubt, have to go within the next few years, but I doubt if England will be able to retain its hold on the new Republic. I shall be very sorry to see a war, but of course, if it comes to fighting, I shall throw in my lot with England. The Uitlanders won't allow her to give in this time, and I don't think she will, with Salisbury in power. It will be a very bitter struggle."