The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-08
CAUSE FOR WAR LACKING.
so ENGLAND HOPES BoRRs WILL BE
PROVOKED INTO ATTACHING.

Tho War Party Puzzled to Know What De.
nands 1t Can Make the Refusal of which
Would Constitute a Casus Belli-Feeling
in London, Nevertheless, Is That Hos
tiIities Are Almost Certain to Occur
ssseiaI cable Despateh TO TIE svH
LONDON. Oct. 1.-THE British Government
to-day summoned Parliament in special sss-
sion and ordered the mobilization OF an army
corps without even presenting tho demands on
the Transyaal. which will constitute the British
cdsus belh. There is no longer any doubt that
the Government hopes circumstances will arise
which will preclpitate war without the necessity
OF delivering the threatened ultimatum to the
Boer republic. Tho development OF events
which would best suit the British purpose Ia as
follows: Maintenance OF the present situation
for perhaps q fortnight during which British
preparations would be advanced as RAPIDLY as
possible. Then some aggression on the part OF
the Boers on the Natal frontier which Great
Britain would be able to stigm atize as an act OF
war and which would afford an excuse for
breaking of negotiations. Next. the main
tenance OF a defensive policy by the British
forces for two or three weeks. enabling the
Beers to win minor successes. such as the
capture OF Newcastle. Public opinion being
then In famed into a unanimous demand for
crushing OF the two republics and British
forces being by that time ready to undertake
an overwhelming campaign. the real war
would begin.
1t Is hardly necessary to say that this situa-
ton is perfectly comprehended by tho Boer
leaders. The writer Of this DESPATCH happened
to be present at the Transvaal Legation in
Brussels this week. when one Of the most cir
cumstantial reports Of the Boer invasion OF
Natal I Wit
an increduty which needed NO explanation.
The Boer Government will use it's utmost
efforts to restrain the burRhers from furnish
ing an excuse for war. which England 10 anx-
iously hoping they will be betrayed or exasper-
ated into supplying. The orders from Pretoria
to all the frontiers on this subject are OF the
strictsst description.
Not only the Doors. but EnRishmen them
selves. are In a quandary what demands the
British Government can make. the refusal OF
which will constitute an adequate justification
for declaration CT war. This Quandary
10 all the greater in the light OF tho afflrma-
ton OF two Cabinet members this week
that Great Britain has no designs on
the Independence OF the Transvaal. II.
therefore. President KRUGER IL able to
restrain his angry followers. who are threat
sned on all sides by British bayonets. he will
succeed in forcing the British Government to
commit itself to policy which 1t will be unable
to justify before the worlds conscience.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman's speech
yesterday greatly exasperatcs the war party
This 10 easy 10 understand because majority
OF the anti-Boer side now openly confess. ex-
cept in The press and on the public platform.
that the protested reasons for their aggression
are not the real ones. They regard Banner
mans criticism Of their pretended risus JeM
NJ beside the mark aud resent it accordingly
The chances oil averting var on the whole are
diminishing. and 1t must be admitted have
almost reached the vanishing point. This 10
the expiration generally accented Of to. days
strength on the stock market. The impression
prevails that war has been fully discounted and
the rise in prices is that which usually follows
the disappearance Of killing uncertainty.
The feature OF tho stock mark ct this morn
ing was a demand for Kafflrs. most Of which
hardened
Summonses were issued to-day calling out
such mem bers Of the reserves as are zee ssary
to bring up battalons wanted for SER
vice in South Africa to strength Of about
1000 each. The men are to present them
selves for service on or before Oct. II.