The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-11
ABSclU1ELY Pure

AAtuAstcIS, ~ OueIHelu, contains nothing
to confirm the assertion made by the
3ingo press. that the final proposals of
{ British government will contain
sweeping aggressive schemes; and to
TINS extent it has oiled the waters. The
pea,e party even deduces from the
dukes utterances that reformulation
of President Kruger's proposals of a
5.year franchise, minus the suzerainty
proviso, would lead to such negotia-
tions as would ensure peace.
A Great Demonstration.
Whatever official feeling may be.
there is no mistaking the significance of
the great manifestation, com mbined with
war spirit of imperial solidarity that
occurred in the streets of London when
the New South Wales Lancers tray-
ersed the city to embark for South
Africa. Tens of thousands assembled
to do homage to the little handful of
toldiery representing the empires
Lyalty.
From the arrival Of the squadron at
Waterloo station, to the embarking on
the railway train ut Fenchurch street
| station, tumultous scenes Of wild en-
thusiasm marked the route traversed.
The bands were allowed to play moth
ing but "Soldie1s of the Queen" Rule
Britannia" and "God Save the Queen,
in which the dense crowds joined"
| 1t is doubtful If such a frenzied vel.
come was ever before witnessed in
London. There was All incessant 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 it 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 while he
addressed the colonial troops, wishing
them Godspeed and expressing the in
terest Of the country in their heroic de-
termination to assist in asserting i'm
perial authority in South Africa.
Wonder why Kruger Waited.
The reports from all the militar.
:enters show that the mobilization or
ders are received with the greatest en-
thusiasm now that President kruge
has crossed the Rubicon and taken thu
irrevocable step Of issuing an ulti
matum
The only wonder is why, if Presiden
Kruger is resolved upon fighting. n
has waited SO long. The explanation
seems to be that his hand has beef
forced by the fact that the Beers hav'
got out Of control. or that, if he awaited
the arrival Of the British army corps
the chances of military success for HIN
would be Of the slimmest possible char
: acter. The expiration of the time llml
Of the ultimatum does not leave Grea
: Britain much time to strengthen tn
: present military position, althoug
: there are still few troops at Durham
Natal. available for dispatch to tn
front. but the government Will doubt
3 less now adopt the suggestion to forl
the refugees from the rand into volun
. teer regiments
o Some indication Of the war offices e:
r innate of the duration of the cainpalg
: is given by the fact that the army ha
I contracted for eight months supply
!. bread and supplies. rendered necessar
r by the absence of the bulk of the arm
Il seryice corps, whom the war office tint
r evidently calculates will be at hon1
i again by the beginning of May.
t It appears that although the war o
fee called up $4,000 reservists only u
o nick of them, some 5000. will be r
n tanned with the colors. >,
The Westminster Gazette says: "
;. learn from trustworthy source I'M
u the British government has also de
70 PATCHED a note containing stringent a.
h ,n.nds which must have crossed II
Boer ultimatum.