The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-10-05
TRANSVAAL 0UTRAG[S.
Grave Reports Are Being
Received From Boer
Strongholds.


LONDON, October 5, 1Ss9.-The Daily
Telegraph publishes in its second edition
this morning despatch from Newcastle,
Natal, dated yesterday announcing that
the Boer advance began yesterday, with a
general movement of artillery.
Although today's news from South
Africa is Enthusiastically grave, the advo-
Gates of peace still derive a glimpse Of
hope from some OF the dispatches that
the stage Of negotiation is not yet finally
terminated.
The news is contradictory Side by side
with the announcement that the Beers
have occupied Laing's Mex. is printed
despatch from Pretoria stating that the
Transvaa1 Government has issued strict
injunction to the Commandants that
British territory must not be invaded.
and that Commandan General Joubert has
issued a proclamation threatening to
shoot any man who crosses the border.
Scarcely had the advocates or peace
exchanged congratulations over the an
nouncement from Petoria that Mr.. ]. H.
Hofmeyr, the Afrikander leader and Mr..
w. p. Schreimer, the Cape Premier, had
undertaken joint semi-ofiicial peace
mission and had actually started for
Pretoria, where they ought to have ar
rived last evening, when later messages
from the Transvaal capital declared that
the Boer government knew nothing Of
this alleged mission and that in any event
nothing could preserve peace but the
withdrawal Of the British demands.
While 1t is not necessary to accept all
the sensational statements regarding the
advance of the Beers there is not a Jet
Of evidence going to show that the
burghers contemplate receding.
Up to two o'clock this afternoon moth
ing had arrived to confirm the despatch
from Newcastle to the Dali Telegraph"
Boer forces began yesterday. The War
Office and the Colonial Office profess en-
tire ignorance in the matter, but this is
consanance towards the press.
A distinctly serious and ugly statement
comes from Newcastle to the effect that
armed Kaffirs accompany the Boer COM
mandoes. This would be an absolute
breach OF the conditions supposed to gov
ern warfare among civilized nations. and,
If true. presages scenes worse than even
the gloomiest forecasts.
From other Newcastle advices It ap-
pears that the Premier OF Natal has tele-
graphed the military authorities that they
can render Newcastle no assistance, aid
ing that, if the Beers intend to attack the
town, resistance would be futile, and
that the women and children should be
sent away and the town surrendered.
An unconfrmed report says that mar
tial law has been proclaimed in the Trans
vaal.
1t is reported that another Rand ship
ment Of bullion to the value of el0o0oOo
Is in danger Of conhscation by the Trans
vaal authorities.
A petition to Queen Victoria, signed by
fifty-eight members of the Cape House OF
Assembly, has been forwarded through
the British High Commissioner. Sir Alfred
Milner, pointing out that the petitioners
who are related by blood and through
marriage, to residents of the Transvaal,
are materially interested in the mainten-
ance of peace, urging the abandonment OF
warIike measures, as the Transvaal Is
now fully awakened to the Wis
dom of liberal concessions and
praying Her Majesty to appoint
a Commission forthwith to confer
with the Beers, as the petitioners are
convinced that If the present Franchise
act is inadequate the Transvaal Govern
ment is prepared to make further conces-
sions to the Outlanders. The petitioners,
In closing. declare their loyal devotion TO
the throne and person OF the Queen
Today the Secretary of State for the
Colonies. Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain. sent
the following reply
a~rhe Imperial Government iS not un-