Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-09-22
WAR VERY NEAR.
Little Hope of Peaceful settlement of
the south African Trouble-sit-
untion Extremely Grave.

untiOn Extremely NfhVcs
London, Sept. 1S.-All the dispatches
from South Africa talk of the immi-
nence of hostilities and the prepare
tions for them. In johannesburg it
seems to be taken for granted that the
Orange Free State has approved Pres
ident Kruger's note and promised ac-
tive assistance in the event of war.
An official telegram posted at Volksrust
says that the Transvaal, with the as
sent of the Orange Free State, repu-
dates British suzerainty and adheres
to the seven years franchise. Az Cape
Town it is reported that Mr.. Hofmeyr,
the Afrikander leader, sent com
munication to President Steyn, of the
Orange Free State, entreating him to
do his utmost to preserve peace, but
that he received in answer the words
TOO late" All military men agree
that 1t is out of the question to begin
hostile operations before the middle of
| next month, no rain having fallen and
the veldt being still bare.
Cape Town, Sept. 1S.-Great excite
ment prevails at Pretoria over the con-
| oGIuChCCS lIdb AlOlh NhC bNT
ply to the British government. The
young Beers are asking to be led into
the field Immediately. II is impossible
to predict what will be the situation
after the delivery of the reply in Lon
don. The feeling here is that it will
be impossible for the imperial govern
ment and undignified upon it's part
again to enter upon an interchange of
arguments.
London, Sept. 1s.-The reply of the
Transvaal government to Mr.. Chamber
lain's latest note is said to cover nine
pages. 1t is eminently of the negative
and inconclusive" character, which Mr..
Chamberlain declared would compel
the imperial government to consider the
situation afresh. 1t practically repudi-
ates suzerainty, reverts to the seven
years franchise, and declines to give
equality to the Dutch and English lam
guages in the volksraad. 1t says the
Transvaal government ardently de-
sires and gladly accepts arbitration, as
its firm intention is to adhere to the
terms of the London convention of
1884. The dispatch concludes by trust
ing that the British government, on re-
consideration, may not deem it fit to
make more onerous or new proposals.
but will adhere to Great Britain's pro.
posal for joint commission of inquiry
as previously explained by the secre,
tary of state for the colonies to the i'm.
perial parliament"
In short, it is positively negative and
defiant. The full text may not be avail
able for day or two, but it will not
change the aspect of affairs. The cab
met will probably meet on Wednesday
or Thursday to consider the next step
London, Sept. 1s.-The Morning Pos
says: The Beers mean to fight. That
is the plain English of it. The Stand
ard says: The Transvaal note is un
satisfactory and, indeed, a dangerous
composition. 1t might be going too fai
to say that the last hope of peace ha!
vanished or that diplomacy has sale
its final word, but it is idle to deny tha
the rulers of the Transvaal have
brought their country very close to tn,
brink of disaster which the British
government has done its best to avert
The Daily Mail says: President Kru
gers defiance has terminated lon;
period of unrest and uncertainty il
South Africa, for, whatever may be tn
issue of the present situation, one thin.
is certain, that dualism in South Afric
, will end forever. The Daily Chronicl
) says: We regret that the Beers, b,
rejecting a fair offer made in fair Ian
, guage, have taken a line giving fres
I point 20 the argument of their enemie
l that President Kruger is a shifty an
. impracticable politician, fit only to b
' spoken to across line of bayonets
: These extracts fairly represent pres
opinion in London.