London.

Manawatu Herald, 5 March 1896, Page 2

London.

Id his naval proposals, Mr Goschen, First Lord of the Admiralty, declares that 14 million sterling is required for naval works, £860,000 for ordnance, and 2_ millions for three docks at various naval stations. Dockyard wages had been increased by £294,000, in order to hasten the building of warships. In the new programme it is proposed to build five battleships on the improved Renown type, four first olass cruisers, three second-class cruisers, and six of tbe third-class ; also 28 torpedo destroyers. There are now in course of construction eight battleships, 21 cruisers, and 40 torpedq-destroyers, all of which, Mr Goschen declares, will be completed by July, 1899. The cost will be £7,885,000. The estimates for the year, he added, had increased by £3,121,000. Mr Goschen states that it is intended to increase the personnel of the British Navy by 4900 men, and declares that it is easy to obtain sailors and marines. The Times says President Kruger's conditions for granting the franchise to the Uitlanders are that a treaty of commerce shall be substituted for the Convention admitting the suzerainty of Great Britain ; also the inclusion of Swaziland in the Transvaal, and the concession of a preemptive right over Kosie, in Delagoa Bay. These demands, the Times thinks, are merely made to appease the Boers, and really far less will be accepted. , It has traspired that Dr Jameson's troops yielded on condition that their

lives were spared — not unconditionally, as tbe Boers alleged. It is said that General Jouberfc, commander of the Boer troops, agreed in writing to save the lives of Dr Jameson and his party conditionally on the assuranoe being given that the expenses which the Boers were subjected to in stopping the expedition would be paid. President Krugor, it is said, by concealing the terms of surrender, deluded Sir H. Robinson to persuade the Uitlanders to yield in order to save the life of Dr Jameson. Captain Coventry, who was one of Jameson's officers, has arrived in London, He has not been arrested.