Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-07
LOOKS LESS WARLIKE
Transvaal Situation Grows Less BelliCOse
with Each Passing Day, n
~
BOTH PARTIES ARE COOLING OFF A b..
Hope is Strengthened that HostilitieS May
Yet Be Averted.
PEACE WITH HONOR THE CHIEF DESIRE
Reported Intention Of Victoria to Abdicate
if War Breaks Out
BRITISH GOVERNMENT SAYS IT is A LIE
Afrikandcr Members of the Cape
Assembly Memoriaiize the Queen,
BRITISH GOVERNMENT SAYS IT is A LIE
Afrikandcr Members of the Cape
Assembly MemorinIize the Queen,
Declaring Their Loyal Devo-
ton to Her Throne.

Copyright, 1899, by Press Publishing Coz
LONDON, oct. 6.-(New York World Ca
blegram-Specal Telegram EVERY days
delay of the beginning of hostilites
strengthens the hope that bloodshed may
yet be avoided. The passions aroused in
the first movements of wrath are cooling
and both sides are displaying more and
more disposition to concede something for
the sake of peace, If the way to further
negotiations can be opened without humil-
iation to either side.
At this time last week II believed to
be certain that the would be on before
this Troops we're hurried to the borders
bent on fighting. / was even reported on
what seemed good authority that the
Transvaal would declare war last Tuesday
and invade Natal on Wednesday. Then
came delay with imperative orders TO all
the opposing sodiery not to strike the first
blow, and finally it was announced today
that 'it has been provided that the Beers
shall not make sudden invasion" Clearly
that must seem that negotiations have not
been finally broken off.
The situation gave interest to the story
printed in Vienna newspaper that Queen
Victoria meant to abdcate in case of war.
The far-fetched rumor was promptly
nailed by the government here a baseless
silly report, yet 1t caused mild sensation
because OF the known anxiety of the queen
and Of her prime minister to find some
honorable means of preventing a conflict.
Hofmcyer's Projected Visit.
"A Capetown dispatch says there is much
mystery about the projected visit to the
Transvaal capital of Herr Hofmeyer, the
chief OF the Afrikanders in Cape Colony.
1t was announced yesterday morning that
the visit had been given up, but night
dispatch from Pretoria reported that both
Herr Hofmeyer and Premier Schreiner of
Cape Colony, also an Afrikander leader are
expected to arrive there soon. Hofmeyer
earnestly desires to avoid war and SO
does Schrener. The former has been pressed
TO make public speech advising the Cape
Beers to remain loyal to the queen, but he
refused to do so.
Premier Scbreiner has urged fuTt her ne
gotiations and the Afrikander members of
the Cape Assembly, who form a strong ma
jority of that body, have momorialized the
queen declaring their loyal devotion to her
and her throne and praying her to appoint
a commission forthwith to confer with the
Beers, declaring their conviction that the
Transvaal government is prepared to make
further concessions to the outlanders.
The liberal leader i'm the House of Com
mons. Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, said
today in a public speech arranged to permit
him to give the country his views:
81 do not believe that diplomacy has said
its last word, although the country is on
the brink of war;
Coming from a man who was secretary OF
state for war in two Of Gladstones cabinets
and also in Rossbery's, this opinion attracts
all the more notice
Young Beers wnnt to Fight.
The young Beers are reported to be eager
FOR fight, while the older men, though
still hopeful of a peaceful settlement, are
determined to fight to the last If negotia-
tions fail. One Transvaal command con-
tains grandfather, father and son.
A burgher of the orange Free State
81 years old, offered to enlist and when told
that he was too old. refused to return home
saying that he would provide a substitute
and also fight himself as he was still able
to sight a rifle and kill man at three
hundred yards,
Another republican who is physically dis
Rbled responded to the summons, saying
that he intended to ride in a buggy to the
border and, having supplied himself with
food, to remain there to defend the repub-
lie to the end. Many boys Of ~ and IA are
IN commandos.
LONDON, Oct. 6.-Advices from Pretoria
describe the Transvaal organs as crying FOL
Impossible terms and President Kruger as re-
ferring to the prospective struggle as
means of setting the republic totally FIRE,
of England"
1t is also said, according to advices from
the same point, that the Boer forces al
Volksrust will advance today to the Nata
border, and according to General Symons
although Commander General Joubert is per,
sonally averse to hostilities his paten
tactics will not last, the Beers will soor
either demand to be disbanded or to receive
orders to invade Natal,
Dispatches from Capetown OF doubtful
authenticity allege that the Boer organza
ton in the field is already breaking dowI
and that friction is developing between tn
artillery who are regulars, and the burghe
commandos.
The refugees in Capetown are having
bad time, the women and children beinl
in a pitiable plight. The governments ofe
10 send transport for some of the dis
tressed has been accepted,
The announcement from Pretoria that tn
British diplomatic agent Mr.. Conynghar
Greene, Is Ill, is taken in some quarters t
indicate the possibility of his recall and o
further steps in the direction OF peacefu
adjustment.
A host OF officers, including Prince Chris
tlan Victor OF Schleswig Holstein and
large number of nurses, sailed for the Cap
today 1t now appears that Lieutenan
Winston Spencer Churchill. son Of the lat
Lord Randolph Churchill, who will accom-
pany Sir General Reivers Butler will &
not on behalf of the Times. but as the wa
correspondent OF the London Morning Pos
and the New York World
WIFI EIEAT EOR THEIR IhNI