The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-08
The Attitude of the Beers Regarded
as a Defiance.
BOTH SIDES ARE PREPARING,
ARTILLERY Ordered out and the Burgh-
ers Notified TO be i'm Readiness.
Statement That "a Settle
mcnt May be Reached is
Not Believed by
Many.

PRETORIA, Sept AT the desire Of
the Trausycal government there has been
transmitted through Cunningham Green,
the British diplomatic agent here to Sir
Alfred Miner. the British High Commis-
sioner Of South Africa and inquiry as to
whether an explanation would De given in
regard to the mobilization of British
troops on the Transvaal frontier.
SITUATION WORSE.
LONDON, Sept. III the Transvaal
situation has changed at AN since yester-
day It Is for the worse The Boer re-
quest for an explanation as to the massing
Of British troops ON the frontier Of the
Transvaal has an ominous note of irrita-
ZION and impatence. which. at such
critical stage can scarcely be interpreted
as anything but "A defiance.
Both here and In Cane Colony the ten
sion and the arming continues. Whether
to-m0rr0w's Cabinet Council viii afford
immediate relief is stl q question of
great doubt. The more conservative be-
lieve that the Cabinet win only put
time limit upon the negotiations and that
the interim will merely be repetition of
the anxious times which have marked the
past few weeks.
Cape Town advices say the Afrksnders
regard the latest Boer reply as eyasive.
while others regard it as designated TO
entangle the two governments in further
negotiations. Tho average opinion Of the
British press IS inclined 20 regard 90 MS the
straw which would break the back OF
the most long suffering diplomatic camel
SPEEDY SETTLEMENT.
The London edition of the Standard and
Diggers News. the official B0er organ to-
day says: we can state that the dip
lOmatic correspondence between the
Tmnsvaal and the Colonial Office Is Of
reassuring nature and that the dispute has
now narrowed 90 an issue which should
make settlement possible and even
speedy. The Transvaal is prepared for
AN even,uai.ties but remains hopeful of
peaceful settlement
Nothing which can be learned here tends
20 confirm the foregoing statement aud
owing 10 the pro-B0er source from which
IL emauates. o. is regarded with suspicion.
ARTILLERY CALLED OUT
BLOEM FRONTAIN. Sept. lit is un-
derstood that AN the Transyaal artillery
has been called out and thar the Burghers
have been notified tO Doe ready
The latest reply of the TrInsvaal 20
Great Britain is REGARDED as .making The
OF the last hope of peace.
CALCUTTA. Sept 7.-Throa regiments
of cavalry. four regiments of infantry and
three batteries OF field artillery have been
formally warmed to prepare o leave their
stations in India zoo che shortest notice for /
service in South Africa
CAMPED ON THE BORDER
LONDON. Sept "A special dispatch /
TO tine Morning Post from piotermari-l- !
burg says that the eight hundred Beers /
who LEFT Pretoria for st4niertou about /
five miles from the frontier pushed 0n to /
volksrust. close % the Natal border, /
where they are now encamped The same /
says that the arrangements
'0r the defence of Newcastle. In Natal
south Of Laings Neck. are now practically |
.Omplete. BE adds. "The Governor OF
Natal informs me that the Beers of Ut-
echt and Vrlrehd have been suddenly re-
allied to- the Hlveld. They were compelled
20 leave their cattle behind but took sey-
ral OF the natives as hostages.
WILL FLOG ENGLAND.
LONDON Sept s.-The Johannesburg
correspondent of the Times says As
howlng the mental attitude of the Beers
he remark of an influential government
mcer. supposed to bee an enlightened
nan. whose name If disclosed would
ause surprise. "pont worry he sail
we've licked the English twice already
md we will give them such a logging
his time as they never got"
THE BOERS ASSEMBLING.
CAPETOWN. Sept. 7.-Midnight-The
'oers it is stated positively, are consre-
ating ON the border.