Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-10-11
BOERS SEND AN ULTIMATUM TO
GREAT BRITAIN
WANT TROOPS WITHDRAWN
COMPLIANCE DEMANDED By THIS
AFTERNOON.
Failure to Receive 1t to Be Accepted
Declaration of Wur-Hostil-
tiles Are Likely to Be-
gin Wednesday or
Thursday.

LONDON. Oct. l0.-The Transvaal has
sent L peremptory ultimatum TO Great
Britain which seems TO make the begin
ming of actual hostilities matter Of but a
few hours. as 1t makes demands with which
Great Britain will not comply, and calls
for reply not later than o'clock to-mor-
row afternoon
1t cannot be doubted that England's re-
ply will be Hat rejection of President
kruger's demands and that, at quarter
after o'clock this afternoon, English
time, an actual state of war will exist.
Fridays cabinet council will have TO deal
with the military situation and parliament
will have little else TO do but to sanction
the necessary credits.
As the British troops continue landing in
South Africa and advancing to the front,
it is quite possible. according to the terms
of the Boer uItimatum, that hostilities
have already commenced, as Kruger has
everything TO gain by an instant advance.
The Ultimatum, after reciting the facts
which led up to the present situation, con-
cludes:
Her maiesty's unlawful Intervention in the internal
AFFAIRS Of this republic in conflict with the London
convention Of issi by the extraordinary strengthen
Ing o. her troops in the neighbOrlOOd Of the borders
Of this republic has caused intolerah!e condition
OF things TO arise. TO which this government feels
itself obliged in the interest only this repub-
lie. but also OF all South Africa to make end as
soon as possible. and this government feels itself
called upon and obliged press earnestly and with
emphasis for immediate termination nf this state
OF things, and to request her nsiestys government
rhn Fprr tpu1a
Firs-That all points Of mutual differences be reg
uIated by friendly recourse arbitration by what
ever amicabe way NAV be agreed upon by this gov
efninent and her majesty's government.
Second-That all troops the borders Of this re-
public shall be instantly withdrawn.
ThTd-Thst all reinfOrCements Of troops which
have arrived in South Africa since June l, 1899 shall
be removed from South Africa within reasonable
time. TO be agreed upon with this government. and
with the mutual and guarantee on the par;
Of this government that upon hCstilitcs
against any portion OF the possessions Of the British
government shall be made by this republic during
the further negotiations. within period Of time 10
be subsequently agreed upon between the govern
rnents: and this government Will, compliance
Herewith be prepared TO withdraw the armed burgh-
ers OF this republic from the borders.
Fourth-That her maiesty's troops which are now
on the high seas shall not be landed in part ..
South Africa.
This government presses for an immediate and an
affirmative 70 these four questions and
estly requests her nsiestys government to return
answer before upon Wednesday, October II, 1893
not later than O'Clock p
Il desires further add that in the uneXpe, ted
event of satisfactory being received by
1t within the interval, # will with great regret be
compelled gard the action Of her maiestys gov
ernment as formal declaration Of war, and Will not
hold itself responsible Cor the consequences thereof
and that. in the event of any further movement Of
troops occurring within the above mentioned time i'll
a direction borders, this sOvernnlCT'
will be compelled to regard that also formal
declaration Of war.
The diplomatic circumstances surround
ing the presentation of the ultimatum are
probably without precedent. Ordinarily d
foreign power, when addressing peremptory
| demands to another, sends them through
an ambassador, or minister accredited tc
its adversary.
| The Transvaal government. however. ha:
no diplomatic representative recognized BY
| Great Britain. Montague White. tht
/ Transvaal consul general in London. woulc
not be received by either the foreign Office
o. colonial Office. Consequently, Presiden
| Kruger was reduced 10 the necessity o.
| handing the ultimatum to Conyinghau
! Green, at Pretoria, who in turn wired it Il
! Sir Alfred Miner British high commission
er in South Africa, by whom it was re
transmitted TO Mr.. Chamberlain. who thu!
becomes the first secretary of state for tht
colonies TO receive an ultima tum. AS soor
| as the communication is translated from
the cipher in which it is transmitted. Mr.
| Chamberlain will forward it to the foreign
Office.
The only wonder is why. If Preslden
Kruger is resolved upon fighting. he ha
waited so long. The explanation seems t.
be that his hand has been forced by tn
fact that the Beers have got out Of control
or that. if he awaited the arrival of tn
British army corps, the chances of militar.
success for him would be of the slimmes
possible character.
The expiration of the time limit of tn
ultimatum Tomorrow evening does no
leave Great Britain much time to strength
en- the present military position, although
there are still a few troops at Durham. Ma
tai. available for dispatch to the front, bu
the government will doubtless now adop
the suggestion to form the refugees from
the rand into volunteer regiments.
The Westminster Gazette says:
I'VE learn from a trustworthy sourc
that the British government has also dis
patched a note containing stringent de
mands, which must have crossed the Boe
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