Trouble in the Transvaal.

Manawatu Herald, 11 January 1896, Page 2

Trouble in the Transvaal.

» The Admiralty has ordered the formation of an entirely new flying squadron of two first class warships and four cruisers to be ready at a moment's notice for service anywhere. The Admiralty has also decided to send a naval force to Delagoa from the Cape or East India. Four British warships at present lying at Zanzibar are available at a moment's notice. The Times announces that the decision of the Admiralty has been arrived at in view of tbe undeveloped danger which now threatens the peace of Europe and the Wellbeing of the British Empire. Such a British squadron is wanting to add powerfully to the means of the country's defenoe, and will prove the readiness of the naval force for an emergency. Later particulars concerning the Transvaal difficulty show that apparently the rival plots in the Transvaal were — firstly, that President Kruger waß aiming at the independence of the country and freedom to negotiate foreign treaties, and was relying on promises of assistance by Germany and Holland } and, se condly, that a section of the Uit landers anxious for reforms arranged a rising with the help of the British South Africa Chartered Company, bat had no general desire for an armed revolution. However, the Boers' military pre cautions and specious promises prevented the Uitlandera 1 from coalesc ing With Dr Jameson's. Opinion in Capetown condemns ihe latter for precipitating events, and he is now regarded as a martyr to money grubbing Uitlanders. General Joubert proposed an armistice when Jameson was approaching, which it is reported the residents of Johannesburg accepted. Assistance sent by the Uitlanders arrived shortly after the surrender. It has transpired that daring the fight with Dr Jameson's party the Boers were in danger of running <*bort of ammunition, but obtained a fresh supply of cartridges from Johannesburg. There is an intense revulsion of feeling in Johannesburg against the leaders of the reform movement for having deserted Dr Jameson after seeking his assistance, and the mob threatened to attack aad maltreat them. Sir Hercules Robinson has seized the Chartered Company's war stores at Buluwayo and Mafeking. The report of the formation of a German colonising company to in traduce military settlers into the Transvaal is denied. Sir Hercules Robinson is urged to offer President Kruger terms for the release of the British prisoners. Dr Leyds, Secretary of State for the Transvaal, has had a gratifying interview with the Emperor William, who is reported to have expressed his recognition of the complete independence of the Transvaal. Sir Hercules Rebinson has wired that the Uitlanders have complied with President Kruger's demand, and yielded up their arms. The people of Johannesburg have accepted tiir H. Robinson's protection. Sir H. Robinson has promised to see that justice is done, and he wili confer with President Kruger regarding the treatment of the prison re, and the redress of the grierances complained of by the Uitlanders. Dr Jameson says he might have escaped without help if the Uitlanders bad destroyed the Krugersdorp line conveying the fresh supply of ammunition to the Boers. The Berlin correspondent of thf Times wires that Dr Jameson's defeat alone prevented the Germans landing a body of marines at Lorenzo Mrirquez and invading the Transvaal. The British public are enthusiastic over the energy of the Marquis of Salisbury in connection with the Transvaal difficulty The war feeling against Germany is in marked contrast to ihe feeling in tbe reoent difficulty with Prenident « -leveland respecting the Vene znelan frontier. Two regiments returning from India have been ordered to disem bark at the Cape, and other troop* are to be despatched there from England. Germany's intended landing of marines at D lagoa Bay is part of a long-projected scheme to interfere with the British at the Cape. Some of the German clubs in London have been closed.

The tone of the German newspaperß is less hostile, and they advocate that the matter be submitted to arbitration. The French press ia also much quieter. The American newspapers universally condemn the action of Germany. Yielding to the representations of Kir Hercules Robinßon, President Kruger has promised to consider the reforms demanded by the Uitlanders. The Cape Squadron is proceeding to Delagoa. The Lancaster and Leicester regiments * have been ordered to the Cape. The relations between England and Germany have not improved. The Russian press urges concerted action on the part of the Powers in the Transvaal crisii, so as to enable Russia to use the Dutch .and Portuguese colonies as naval 'station! to intercept Indian and Australian vessels. President Kruger has promiitd Sir Hercules Robinson to liberate Dr Jameson on the Natal borders. The whole of the Boers in the Transvaal and Orange Free States are under arms. The latter are massed on the Cape frontier. The burghers of Pretoria are bitterly opposed to the British, and demand that there shall be one undisputed rule only in the Transvaal, Only President Kruger's personal influence checks their ardour. Urgent enquiries are being made as to the mobilising strength of the militia. Work at Portsmouth continues without intermission night and day.