The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-09
A STATE OF GREAT ACTIVITY.
ENGLISH RESERVES PREPARING TO
OBEY SUMMONS.

Calling of Parliament and the As
sembling of the Reserves Has
Caused Much Observation-Disclosures
Forces Mt MafelSing Were Twice
Aroused on Snturdny-6,OOO BOers
on the Natal BOrder-BrItish Plans
I'm Good shape.
London, Oct. S.-Whatever may be the
result OF Great Britain's controversy with
the South African republic every depart
ment of the government is as busy as
though actual hostilities had begun.
The electric flash that announced the
mobilization of the army reserves and the
summoning of Parliament set every wheel
of the government machinery in motion.
An hour after the Gazette appeared exec
utive orders were being dispatched from
the war Office to every section of the king
dom, and the 10000 bulletins which appear
ed posted throughout the country TO day
are said to have been identical with the
proclamation prepared for use had tho
Fashoda incident required such a step.
AT the same time Lord Salisbury and
Mr. Balfour were issuing the necessary or
ders for the reassembling Of Parliament,
and the admiralty was concentrating / $
transports, twenty-four of which. are now
secured at Liverpool alone.
So complete were the preparations that
5000 reserves have already individually
received coupon tickets which contain in
structions where each man shan report for
railway transportation to the place desig-
mated, and a money order for three shil-
lings for provisions en- route.
AT Woolwich to-day 1t was asserted that
IS per cent of the reserves would be full
ly equipped within six days. In the mean
time the members of the two houses of
Parliament are arranging to return to
London and force of men is busily en-
gagged in completing the improvements at
Westminster.
British Camp Aroused.
The most important news from South
Africa comes from Mafeking, where twice
on Saturday the British camp was arous-
ed and men stood 10 their arms, guns were
flmbered and patrols were dispatched in
the direction of the border
No hostilities have occurred as yet, but
the enemy has moved practically to the
border, eight miles from Mafeking, In force
estimated at least at 6,00l comprising flve
commanders.
The garrisonlng and fortifylng of the
town are perfected The streets are bar
ricaded and a perfect system of mines
has been laid. Two armored trains have
&arrived at Mafeking, consisting of three
bulet-proof cars, the first of which car
ries a searchllght, while the sides of the
cars are loopholed. Each train is COM
piete in itself, and carries It's own provis-
Wi pEi
mines prove that 1t is an extremely pow
erful explosive
Col Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden
Powell, commanding the Fifth Dragon
Guards has issued a notice that the Beers
who are massed on the Natal and Bechua-
naland frontiers have orders not to fire
until the British begin, and that the town
is well prepared for eventualites, but, as
the Beers may shell the place, every en-
deavor should be made to safeguard the
womea and children.
Plans in Good Shape.
An armored train was inspected at Kim
berley Saturday. A signal station has been
erected with a coming tower at the top
1870 feet above the tracks. Communica ton
by telephone is had with the central office
and signals are given TO the troops by flag
By this means maneuVers were success
fully conducted Saturday. The troops
number 5000, including the bicycle corps.
A train was also successfully tested at
Mafeking. 1t patrolled TO the north and
practiced firing at targets.
A dispatch from Kimberley to the Cape
Argus says that 5000 Beers are encamped
midway between Boshof and Kimberley
They are well armed, and great religious
ferver is shown in the camp. The Beers
however, are chafing under the delay
They patrol the border nightly and have
been ordered not to permit a British uni
form to approach the frontier.
A special order was gazetted on Satur-
day announcing what British residents
would be allowed TO remain In the Trans
vaal and under what conditions.
The Prince of Wales on Saturday re-
ccived Gen. Sir Redvers Butler.
1t is again announced that cabinet
council will be called shortly
The steamers Aurania Cephalonia and
Catalonia of the Cunard Line have been
engaged by the government as transports,
making six vessels of the Cunard Com
pany which have been taken by the gov
ernment for that service.
The famous fighting Fifth Northumber-
land Fusilleers have arrived at Cape
Town, where they were received with
great enthusiasm. In other respects the
situation remains unchanged
Among the rumors coming from South
Africa Is one that the Boer plans are
about TO show a startling development
Another report has ii that the Outland-
ers fear Cecil Rhodes, j. Rose Innes. un-
der secretary Of native affairs in South
Africa, and Mr.. Schreiner. the premier
of Cape Colony, are attempting to patch
up some sort of compromise"