Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-13
Talk of an European Combine to Beat John
Bull and His Army,
RUSSIAN OFFICIAL ORGANS IN THE VAN
German Press Also Joins In the
Dcnunciation of Enplnnd's south
African Policy-Delny in Mo-
bilizing tho Army.

sipated the comfortable theory, which had
been prematurely favored here, that General
Buffers expedition would be a promenade
to Pretoria. The dispatch from President
Steyn, too, was the first official indication
afforded the British government and people
that the orange Free State was still solid
with the Transvaal. 1t had been stated that
the Free Staters would recede from the al
lance on the ground that the Transvaal
took the offensive, their treaty only being
of defensive character.
The information OF a British flying squad
ron has created considerable bewilderment.
1t is purely defensive measure and inspired
by the btterest hostility to England dis
played by the continental press.
The Russian official organs are foremost in
threats and indictments to joint action
against Great Britain and, though official
Germany proclaims itself neutral, the Ger
man press is second only to the Russian
in its denunciation Of England's South AZ
rican policy.
Though not believing at present that these
outbursts of rancor will materialze, the
British government is taking timely pre-
cautions against eventualities.
The difficulty and delay in mobilizing an
army corps for South Africa are regarded as
most unfortunate and calculated to induce
Britain's enemies abroad to take advan-
tage of the present crisis to satisfy old ami
mosties.
The report current today that the Irish
members OF Parliament who have wished
success to the Beers were to be impeached
for high treason is considered absurd. At
the same time the formation OF an Irish
corps with Kruger eXcites violent resent
ment The Globe, noted for its insensate
jingoism advises the commanders OF the
British forces that their duty, should they
capture any Irshmen among Krugers
forces, would to Shoot them like dogs"
Cabinet Meets Today.
The meeting Of the cabinet tomorrow fur
nisheS the occasion for a big demonstration
by the supporters of the government and
elaborate police arrangements are being
made to cope with the anticipated crowd.
This is an innovation Heretofore the as
sembling of cabinet, even at the most
critical times, has been witnessed by only
small gathering Of idlers or casual pass
ersby
The public excitement and eagerness for
news of the first engagement are overwhem-
ing since it has become known that the
Beers are moving in force into Natal.
Hiram Maxim deprecates the strength of
the Boer artillery arm. He says: "Artil-
lery in the hands of the Beers is more their
weakness than their strength. For one thing
there is not enough of it, and as the Eng
lish always oppose artillery with artillery,
it is patent that the far greater experience
and accuracy of the British gunners must
win them victory hands down.
Again, heavy guns have proved more
than once to the Beers milestone around
their necks. Their men are awkward, some
times wholly incapable in the matter of
transport, and l would venture to say that
many times have the Transvaal burghers
wished their guns at the bottom of the sea
rather than tied to their hands on the bat
tlefield
THE Beers remind me instinctively of the
people Of the southern states of America.
They are excellent marksmen and perhaps
as good fighters as could be found anywhere.
No men ever fought better than they did
against the northern states, but they lost.
So will England vanquish the Beers; sooner
than most people think.
IF you want to know what Englishmen
can do, just look across tne Atlantic and
see what America has done; for what
America has done England can always do
Latest Advices.
Beyond the information that the Beers
had seized Laing's Mex there is no news OF
any actual outbreak of hostilities. All
cables are, however, greatly retarded in
transmission. The Daily Mails Pietermar-
itZburg correspondent cables:
"Thc Beers will hold the Mex in the hope
OF drawing troops from Glencoe camp to
dislodge them. Should this be successful
the Free State Beers would rush on the
weakened garrison. Another report states
that the Beers will not advance beyond
Laings Mex at the present. Newcastle is
deserted. 1t is stated there that the de-
structon of documents discriminating Kruger
and other members OF the executive coun-
ell has been begun in Pretoria
The same journals Mafeking correspond
ent cabled Wednesday evening: II hear
from reliable source that the Beers under
Cronje, who are said to number 10, 900 and
are encamped fifteen miles from here, intend
attacking Mafeking at daybreak. They
have twelve guns and will shell the
town before they attempt to rush in. All
streets here are barrcaded. wagons drawn
across the roads, defensive outworks raised
and mines laid In all directions Colonel
Baden Powell is confident he can beat off
the Beers, but has no force with which to
follow them UP in case of retreat"
The Daily Telegraphs war correspondent
at Ladysmth cabled Thursday afternoon:
THE Beers have arrived at Middledale farm
below Tintwa mountain. The column of the
enemy now upon the Tugela river is 5000
strong. Refugees declare that the Beers
boast they will push onward without a
halt"
The Daily News Capetown correspondent
says Prospects of immediate hostilities
are hailed with enthusiastic satisfaction
here. The completeness and thoroughness
OF the imperial military preparations have
made remarkably good impression, espe-
cially the holding Of all strategic positions
on the borders Of the republic. The two Boer
states are declared to be within a wise from
which escape is impossible. The British flag
should be hoisted in Pretoria by Christmas,
never to be hauled down again"
Beers Cut the Wires.
A Vryburg dispatch says: "a body Of
Beers has cut the border fence, advanced
TO the railway and cut the telegraph wires
Two thousand Beers are now occupying tn,
| railway line"
The Free State traders have been heavily
| commandered and have refused to impor
more goods. It is expected that the Boer
will shortly find difficulty in obtaining coffe,
| and sugar In reply to the formal inuuir-