Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-28
Orange Free State Raad Announces
It's Decision.
WILL STAND BY Her OBLIGATIONS
Intense Excitement Continues to
Prevail at Pretoria.
GLOOMY NEWS FROM THECAPE

LONDON, September 2S.-The decision of
the volksraad of the Orange Free State to
join with the Transvaal in the event of
hostilities, although fully expected is the
leading news today, and will, naturally
stiffen the Beers Independent attitude. The
raad's resolution has made the brotherhood
of arms between the Transvaal and the Or
ange Free State, of which, hitherto, there
was only a strong probability, an absolute
certainty, and the British will have to face
the situation.
The volksraad's resolution was as fol-
lows:
THE raad having read paragraph of
the presidents speech and the official docu-
ments and correspondence submitted there
with;
Having regard for the strained state of
affairs throughout the whole of South Af-
rica, which has arisen in consequence of
the difference between the imperial govern
ment and The government of the TranSvaa,
which threatens to lead to hostilties, the
caamitouS consequence of which to the
white inhabitants will be immeasurable;
Being connected with the Transvaal by
the closest ties of blood and confederacy;
And, standing in most friendly relation
ship with the imperial government, and
fearing that should war break out, a hatred
between the European races will be born
development Of all the states and colonies
of Africa and develop a dstrust of the fu-
ture:
To Avcid BlOOdshed.
Feeling that the solemn duty rests upon
it Of doing everything possible to avoid the
shedding of blood:
Consdering that the Transvaal govern
ment, during its negotiations with the i'm
perial government which have extended
over several months, has made every en-
deavor TO arrive at a peaceful solution of
the differences raised by the aliens of the
Transvaal and taken up by the imperial
government as its own cause. which en-
deaVors have unfortunately, had only this
result that British troops were concentra-
ted on the border of the Transvaal and are
still Being strengthened.
Resolved That we instruct the govern
ment 10 still use every means % manta n
and insure peace and in a peaceful man
her contribute towards the so!ution of me
existing difficulties, provided it be done
without violating the honor and independ-
ence of the Free State and the TransyaaI
and wishes the ministry to make known it's
opinion that there exists no cause for war
and that war against the Transvaal as now
undertaken or occasioned by the imperial
government will, morally. be a war against
the whole white population of Africa, and
in its consequences criminal, for come whn-
may, the Free State will honestly and fait.
Transvaal, by virtue of the political al
nance between the two republics"
Excitement at Pretorin.
Intense excitement continues to prevail
at Pretoria, where apparently it is be-
lieVed that there is no escape from war
The commission appointed to consider the
matter reported today as to what officials
are necessary 10 carry on the government
in the event of war and fixing their sala-
ries.
The field cornet at Pretoria is again serv-
ing out rifles, Communicating is actively
proceeding and all preparations are being
made to take the field.
An Englshman named Robertson has
been arrested at johannesburg charged
with high treason. He is alleged to have
enlisted recruits for the Imperial Light
Horse.
The burghers are getting uneasy at the
concentration of British troops between
L2dysm.th and La.ngs Mex, especial at
Glencoe and Dundee. The nominal reason
for jhe concentration is the pro,ection of
the Dundee coafie -ds, but the burghecs
the formation of a force which Will ad-
vance across the Transvaal frontier g Wy
held as soon as war is declared. The B GERS
do not intend to be caught nap, 4.g and
are now massng around Vryheid, not,
however, merely as protective measure,
op.t TO be prepared, unless the British re-
infsrcenents across the border cease, to
make = dash in force through a portion of
Zuiuland. crossing the Buffalo river at
point below Rorkes drift. and then. seiz-
ing the railroad cut off the British garri-
sons al Dundee and LaGysmith from the
south. which would not Cnly interrupt the
British lines of conlInunica ion, but wou d
seriously interfere with a forward move
ment. In order 10 watch this portion of
the railroad exposed to a Roer incursion
British post will be established at Rorkes
drift
Destitute From Johannesburg.
A dispatch from Mafeking, in British
Bechuana'and, just across the Transvaal
border, says sream OF destitute people
is arriving there from Joha hannesburg.
A British infantry detachment, with some
engineers. has arrived at de Aar, southwest
of the Orange Free State, and an important
railroad junction. Extensive fortificatons
will be thrown up there and the town will
be made the base of operations from that
side against the Orange Free State or the
Transvaal. More troops will shortly arrive
at de Aar.
meeting OF the ministeriaIsts there today
1t was Unanimously resolved to petition
Queen Victoria. deprecating the idea of
war and urging d joint inquiry into the
effect of the Tranvaal franchise act as
proposed by the imperial government Au-
gust and adopted by President Kruger.
War Sentiment at Cape Town.
A cable dispatch to the Times from Cape
Town says:
THE Beers would have taken the initia-
tive by now but tor the scarcity of water,
the rains not yet being sufficient. Probably
there will be great difficulty in providing
food supplies for the people remaining at
johannesburg after hostilities have COM
menced.
Several responsible people here who
have long chung to the belief in an ultimate
peaceful settlement, now regard war as in
evitable."
The Birmingham Post says two ca-goes
of arms and ammunition leave Hamburg or
Rotterdam Friday for the Transvaal, con-
prising $4,000 improved Mausers, 100000
cartridges. and several mortars for dyna-
mite charges
LUTHERAN GENERAL COUNCIL.