The San Francisco call., 1899-10-11
BRIT0NS DISPLAY
THEIR WARLlKE FEELING

LONDON. Oct. 1O.-The more peaceful
tenor of the mornings news and COM
ments had scarcely been digested and
aroused hope that President Kruger s
birthday would also mark the dissipation
or the commencement of the dissipation
OF the clouds hanging over South Africa
when the sensational announcement that
the Transvaal Government had handed a
definite ultimatum to the British diplo-
matte agent in Pretoria caused rapid
slump IN the hopes of those who believe
that diplomacy will yet save the situation.
1t is understood from the movements of
Ministers and the activity of the Govern
ment offices that developments are immi-
nent. although whether they are pacific
or waTlike remains an enigma.
The officials at the Colonial Office worked
all night, and Mr.. Chamberlain arrived
there early this morning In some quar-
ters it is intimated that the Government
has received notification of the Boer ul-
timatum and is relieved in consequence,
as the Government considers the Beers
now placed in a position of having forced
on war.
Whatever the official feeling may be.
there is no mistal1ing the significance OF
the great manifestation, combined with
the war spirit. which occurred in the
streets Of London this morning when the
New South Wales Lancers traversed the
city to embark for South Africa Tens of
thousands assembled to do homage to the
little handful of soldiers representing the
empires loyalty.
From the arrival of the squadron at
Waterloo station to the embarking on the
railway train at Fenchurch station tu-
multuous scenes Of wild enthusiasm
marked the route traversed. The bands
We're allowed to play nothing but Soldiers
Of the Queen" Rule Britannia" and
God Save the Queen" in which the dense
crowds joined.
1t is doubtful If such frenzied welcome
was ever before witnessed in London
There was an iLcessant roar of cheers and
song until the Mansion House, the official
residence of the Lord Mayor of London
was reached. Here traffic was completely
blocked by the surging throngs, and 1t
was only with the greatest difficulty that
the Lord Mayor, Sir John Voce Moore, in
the full robes of office, restrained the sing
ing and vociferous cheering when he ad-
dressed the troops, wishing them godspeed
and expressing the interest Of the country
in their heroic determination to assist in
asserting imperial authority in South Af-
rica. Sir John said:
II hope there will not be war, but the
necessities Of the moment require a dem
onstraton of authority"
The inspiring scene closed with the sing
ing of the national anthem, the Lord
Mayor leading.
similar occurrence took place at Fen
church station. The windows in the
neghborhood were crowded with sight
seers, who showered miniature union
jacks and squares of bunting bearing the
portrait of the Queen upon the passing
troops When the station was reached an
incident occurred, typical of the readiness
of the colonists to fight.
Viscount Hampden, former Governor
and commander-in-chief of New South
Wales, was present. A sergeant major
stepped forward and drew Lord Hamp-
dens attention to the fact that he was
wearing the same sword used by his Lord
ship when the latter belonged to the New
South Wales Lancers. Lord Hampden
was about to examine the weapon when
the sergeant major cautioned him say
ing: THAT sword has been sharpened and
IS ready for active service"
The reports from all the military CEN
ters show that the mobilization orders
are received with great enthusiasm now
that President Kruger has crossed the
Rubicon and taken the irrevocable step
of issuing an ultimatum. The wonder is
why, If President Kruger Is resolved upon
fighting, he has waited so long The eX-
PLANTATION seems to be that his hand has
been forced by the fact that the Beers
have got out of control or that If he
awaited the arrival Of the British army
corps the chances of military success for