It seems to be practically certain that the German Emperor
did intend to send German troops to Pretoria, not indeed to defend the Transvaal against the English—for he had not sufficient force in the neighbourhood—but to pro- claim to all the world that the Transvaal was under German protection. It would seem, from a synopsis in the Times of the despatches just published in Berlin, that " on December 31st the authorisation to summon a German landing party (fifty marines) was transmitted by telegram to the Consul at Pretoria, and that on January 3rd the German Minister in Lisbon was still requesting an answer from the Portuguese Government to the German application " for leave to traverse the Portuguese territory. Nothing but the firmness of the House of Braganza prevented this " demonstra- tion," which could not have been.met by Great Britain except by a demand for the instant withdrawal of the troops, to be followed, if that were refused, by an immediate declaration of war. We mention this fact thus prominently because it bears directly upon the demand of the Government for more ships and more munitions of war. The country is fairly roused, and there is no danger of its refusing any such demands; but we doubt if even now it is quite aware of the dreadful suddenness with which an extreme emergency might arise, or of the terrible situation of Europe while two millions of soldiers are commanded absolutely by a man like William II.
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