Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-10-19
DECLARATIONOFW WAR
Text Of the British Reply to the
Boer Ultimatum.
Beers INTEND TO SHELL MAFEKINC.
Martial Law Proclaimed In the Transvaal
The British Agent Instructed to Ask
for His Passport Beers Seize Al
bertha Station Wires Cut.

ultmatum.
Chamberlain to Miner, high commissioner
sent lO:45 p. M, October 10, 1899: Her majesty's
government have received with great regret the
peremptory demands Of the South African re-
public, conveyed In your telegram Of October O.
You will inform the government Of the South
African republic In reply that the conditions
demanded by the government OF the South
African republic are such as her majesty s gov
eminent deem 1t impossible to discuss.
1t is now definitely known that the
British government sent no final pro-
posals to Pretoria. The Transvaal's
untimatuln forstalled that intention.
So far as news received thus far shows
no shot has yet been fired. The evacu-
ated district between Chalestown and
Newcastle, Natal. has an area OF $50
square miles and consists chiefly OF
billy moor land sparsely populated.
The Jacobsdal commando of the Free
State Beers is marching on the Modder
river.
B0EBs INTEND TO SHE'LL MAFEKINa.
Cape Town, Oct. H. --Advices from
Mafeking say that every precaution
has been taken against attack and that
all the streets are barred to wagons.
According to these advices the Beers
intend to shell the town before de-
livering their attack. They are said
to possess 70 guns. Every man in
Mafeking is carrying rife, and mill
tary authorities are confident that
they will be able to repel attack, but
they lack the force necessary to follow
Boer retreat The town Is fairly
quiet. The convent sisters and many
ladies have elected to stay and nurse
the wounded and many houses have
been converted into hospitals The
searchlight on the fort is kept working
across the veldt.
MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED.
London, Oct. ia Pretoria dis
patch dated October II, sent via Lour-
EMO Marquese, as telegraphic COM
munication between the Cape and
Natal is undoubtedly interrupted says:
"Conyngham Greene this afternoon
said good-by to President Kruger and
his officials in his private capacity
He and his staff will leave tomorrow
by two special trains. Martial law was
proclaimed at five o'clock this after
noon and British residents without
permits must leave the Transvaal with
in eight days"
INSTRUCTED TO ASK FOR HIS PASSPORTS
Cape Town, Oct. l3.--Thc reply OF
the imperial government to the Trans
wal ultimatum is published here. 1t
was accompanied by instructions to
Conyngham Greene, British diplomatic
agent at Pretoria, to ask for his pass
ports. The reply was publicly read by
= magistrate at the evening parade of
the town guard here and evoked loyal
and enthusiastic demonstrations.
BoERs SEIZE ALDERrINA STATION.
London, Oct. ia dispatch from
Durham, dated Thursday morning, an
nounces that the Beers seized Albertina
station and demanded the keys, which
were delivered to them by the station
master, who reached Ladysmith on a
trolley car. The excitement at Lady
smith Is increasing and the troops are
ready TO act AT u moments notice,
WILL HELP THE TRANsvAAL
London, Oct 13--ln reply to the
formal inquiry Of Sir Alfred Miner,
governor of Cape Colony and British
high commissioner in South Africa,
President Steyn, Of the Orange Free
State, announces that that state will
make common cause with the Trans
vaal.
BoERs CUT THE WIRES.
vryburg, Cape Colony, Oct. ia
body of Beers have cut the border
fences, advanced to the railway and
cut the telegraph wires. Two thou
sand Beers are now occupying the rail-
way lines.
WAR DECLARED.
johannesburg, Oct, 10. War was de-
clared Wednesday. The formal dec.
laration occurred at ten o'clock yestcr-
day morning.
London, Oct l4.-An Edinburgh
paper, the Scotsman, this morning as.
serts that battle has taken place be,
tween Gen, Sir George Stewart White,
commanding the forces in Natal, and
the Beers, who entered Natal by way
Of Van Reenan's pass. Gen. White,
the Scotsman says, is very sanguine OF
the success of the British movement.
The foregoing report is considered to
be correct, as late last night the wal
Office had news OF British advance
from Ladysnith and was hourly OK.
pecting further intelligence.
According to dispatches from Lady.
smith to the Standard and the Daily
Telegraph, dated Thursday, heavy
storms have begun and forage is scarce
on the veldt. Therefore nothing is ex.
pected to happen fort few days. unless
the Beers, who were reported to be ad.
vancing, should threaten the British
line Of defense drawn from Glencoe
Junction to Ladysmith. In this case,
according to the dispatches, no appre-
hensicn is felt as to the result. Gen.
White has IL guns and the Beers IL.
The Daily Mails Cape Town CORE
spondent, telegraphing Friday even.
inu saws. az learn nm unnd autbar;ty