THE SECRET CABLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 18

THE SECRET CABLE.

CONSULTING THE WAR OFFICE.

MOKE MEN WANTED.

AUSTRALIA KEADILY RESPONDS

MELBOURNE, March 2,

The Age indicates that Mr Chamberlain's secret despatch to the Premiers asks that more colonials be sent to South Africa in view of the Afrikanders threatened attempt to foment a rising. March 4. The Premier has replied to Air Chamberlain despatch that Victoria will send her full share of the new force. This means about 700 men. SYDNLY, March 2. Premier Lyne states that Mr Chamberlain's despatch contains nothing about a Russian invasion, nor about the despatch of Australian troops to India, nor of more men for South Africa. There is, further, nothing about a part of the British Army being raised and trained in Australia ; nevertheless, the cable is of such a character that it could not be made public without permission. Mr Chamberlain has caoled to Mr Lyne that he will consult the War Office and see whether the secret despatch can be made public March 3. Mr Chamberlain's secret despatch is published. It states that the Imperial Government requires an additional 2000 men, similar to the Bushmen, for general service anywhere in South Africa. Probably the force will be required outside Natal and Cape Colony, in which case privates 'will be paid 5s per day, and other ranks proportionately. Mr Chamberlain is confident Australia will respond patriotically to the further call. Realising the magnitude of the efforts already made by Australia, the Imperial authorities will defray all the expenses of arming, mounting, and transportation. Mr Chamberlain has asked Mr Lyne to repeat the message to all the colonies, excluding New Zealand.

March 4. Mr Lyne states that the new regiment will probably be raised on a population basis. All the Premiers have agreed to assist in forming it, and only the details of the composition remain to be settled.

Queensland offered to contribute 500. Westralia replied: "With you, body and soul." The New South Wales quota will be about 750. There will be no difficulty in raising them. Three hundred and fifty, who failed to find places in the Bushmen's contingent, are, now in camp all ready to go. Mr Lyne considers it a high compliment to Australia to ask it for more men. It also shows that the Imperial authorities anticipate a prolonged campaign, wherein mounted men will be essential.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, March 2.

It will be remembered that in a lengthy telegram sent you the session before last, I referred to series complications with France, and the possibility of a rupture between that nation and Great Britain, also mentioning the fact that the French were strengthening their military station in New Caledonia. The statements then made were denied by high political authorities, no doubt for diplomatic reasons, but, nevertheless, they were true. Subsequently we had the Fashoda incident, and few people here know how near we then were to a war with France. I know as a matter of fact that two of the French torpedo boats at the most critical moment had been ordered to get up steam and proceed into the English Channel in view of certain eventualities. Luckily, the French authorities thought better of it, and the trouble blew over. The hatred of the English, however, has been all the time simmering in France, and as we know it has recently almost reaching boiling point, and has found violent expression in the gutter press of Paris and the vile cartoons of Queen Victoria published in many of the illustrated newspaj>ers, I have now very excellent authority for stating that there is again the likelihood of a serious rupture with France, and that the despatch received by the Australian Premiers from the Colonial Office refers to France, and not to Russia, also that Mr Chamberlain has asked the colonies if they can at comparatively short notice send troops to South Africa in order to relieve a certain number of Imperial troops now engaged in ftie Boer campaign. This information comes to me from a high Australian aiifchority, and is such that I have no doubts as to its authenticity. The dsspatch I learn is noL a thing nf yesterday, but lias been in the hands of the Premiers for some time. Similarly I have very good reason to believe that Mr Seddon lias been in close communication with the Home Government, and that about a fortnight ago he also received a despatch from Mr Chamberlain in connection with the strained relations with France, and asking if Now Zealand could send 500 men to South Afrioi in order that a number of the British troops there might be relieved. This would explain the present position in regard to a call for more men here. Some of tLc newspapers are making nn outcry about sending another contingent, but Mr Seddon, no doubt, knows what he is doing. AUCKLAND, March 3. With reference to the mysterious cablegram lcccivecl by the Premier of New South Wales, Mr Seddou say_s :. '' As fra* as

I -gather the general opinion seems to bg • that the communication sent by the Imperial authorities js respecting more troops for South Africa. Some time ago the Newr Zealand Government, offered a fifth con-, tringenfc for South Africa, which was accepted, and the men for this force are now;,, coining into camp. If the communication! received in New South Wales refers to this question New Zealand is evidently at least a fortnight ahead of Australia respecting this matter. Certainly no communication of an alarming character has been received in New Zealand, but quite the reverse."

WELLINGTON, March 3. - The Premier informs the Press Association " that the New Zealand Government; - are in close touch with the Secretary for State, and we have had no communication of an alarming character, but quite the reverse."