Preparing For War

Flying Squadron Ordered To Be Ready for Sea.

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THE SITUATION GROWS SERIOUS.

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Rupture of the Peaceful Relations Formerly Existing Between German and Great Britain—Belief That It Is the Kaiser's Intention to Declare the Independence of the Transvaal Republic-Report That Jameson Has Been Sentenced to Death.

LONDON, Jan. 9.—[Copyrighted 1896, by the Associated Press.]—The gravity of the political crisis here is increasing instead of diminishing. The attitude of Emperor William toward Great Britain in the matter of Dr. Jameson's freebooting expedition into the Transvaal upon closer study seems to have been deliberate and long and carefully planned. The Transvaal incident, it would appear, was only the pretext seized upon by the emperor in order to enter the field as an active opponent of Great Britain's policy of aggrandizement in Africa, and her little misunderstanding with King Prempeh of Ashanti, together with her support of Italy's warfare against Abysinnia are believed to have been the irritating features which finally induced his majesty to show his hand.

Will Demand Indemnity.

Of course this is only a sample of the rumors in circulation here, but it hows the drift of the wind and has served to incense the British to a degree not witnessed since war with Russia was threatened some years ago. To make matters worse, it is now reported that the Transvaal republic will demand an indemnity of $2,500,000 from Great Britain as one of the results of Dr. Jameson's invasion of the little Dutch Republic. If this turns out to be the case, no doubt will be entertained that Emperor William in his recent interviews with Dr. J. W. Leyds, the secretary of the states of the Transvaal, prompted this demand, and may also have announced his intention of supporting it. Under these circumstances, and in view of the war preparations by land and sea now being vigorously pushed by Great Britain, it is not astonishing that there was an oninous drop in consols.

Not Newspaper Exaggeration.

This drop as much as anything, is a clear indication that the gravity of the political situation is not newspaper exaggeration. Dispatches from Berlin announce taht Emperor William had an important conference Wednesday morning with Dr. Kayser, chief of the German colonial office, and that further dispatches have been exchanged between Berlin and Pretoria. Great Britain is eviently determined not to be caught unprepared for war. The report that orders have been sent to Portsmouth, Devonport, and Chatham for the immediate commisioning of a flying squadron of warships is confirmed and has caused a profound impression in all circles. The flying squadron is ordered to be ready for sea by Jan. 14, Tuesday next.