Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-09-15
A NOTE OF DEFIANCE.
That Believed to BE Kruger's Reply
to Chamberlain.
CONTENTS NOT MADE PUBLIC
English Generals Called Into Con-
suItatiOn-War Preparations Con-
tinue by BritOns and BOers-Or-
ange Free State to Help.

London, Sept. 15.-The Transvaal's re-
ply to the last note of the British secre
tary of state for the colonies, Mr.. Joseph
Chamberlain, has been received.
Its nature was not made known. AT
the colonial office, press representatives
were uniformed that nothing would be
given out for the present.
1t was regarded as significant that the
nature of the Boer reply was communi-
Gated to the commander in chief, Field
Marshal Wolseley, who Immediately
summoned General Sir George Stewart
White, V. c., former quartermaster gen
eral, the prospective commander Of the
British forces in Natal.
The tension now existing here and at
the Cape may be temporarily settled at
any moment by the publication Of Presi-
dent Kruger's reply. On the other hand,
it may be several days before the general
public learns what answer the Transvaal
has made.
If President Kruger has answered de-
family, it does not necessarily mean the
immediate breaking off of negotiations.
The British would probably reply with
an unmistakable ultimatum, but it would
be scarcely to their advantage to bring
about hostilities until the reinforce
ments are nearer the scene of action than
they are at present.
Whatever the nature of President Kru-
gers reply. it is probable that several
more stages of diplomatic processes will
be gone through with before there Is def
mite war or peace, unless, Of course,
President Kruger takes the initiative and
raids Natal.
1t is the possibility Of this move that
makes definite news of his reply so eager
ly and anxiously awaited.
Conflicting Advices Received.
Late South African advices received
here continue most conflicting regarding
the tenor of President Krugers answer
70 Mr.. Chamberlain.
The Morning Post. in second edition,
printed a special dispatch from PETER
maritzburg, capital of Natal, saying the
reply was "truculent, loquacious and
blasphemous."
The Manchester Guardians CORE
spondent at Cape Town telegraphed, say
ing the outlook was of the gloomiest
character.
The Cape Town papers themselves
took today q more hopeful view Of the
situation. basing their belief on the prob
able acceptance by President Kruger Of
the franchise measures suggested in Mr..
Chamberlain latest dispatch.
But even they admitted 1t was impossi-
bic to learn or foreshadow resident
Kruger's attitude toward the suzerainty
of Great Britain, which, after all, was
still the main issue.
The Times regarded Mr.. Chamber
lain's dispatch to Kruger as "clear, reso-
lutte and earnest, without being peremp-
tory; not necessarily an ultimatum, but
a prelude to an ultimatum, should the
Transvaals reply prove unfavorable."
The Daily Chronicle, which is virtually
pro- Kruger in it's sympathies, urged the
Beers to accept "the imperial govern
ment's reasonable demands, which threat
en- no Interior danger to the independence
of the Transvaal"
The consul general Of the South Afri-
can Republic Mr. Montagu White, said
to reporter:
81 have good authority for believing
that the 'fransvaal reply will be unsat-
isfactory to the British government"
The news received by Mr.. Chamber
lain, it is now said, was probably infor-
nation regarding the nature of the Boer
reply. Whether this came from Presi-
dent Kruger or was merely the British
agents forecast it is impossible to say.
The text of the reply will not be re-
ceived, in all probability, for several
days.
The latest advices from Pretoria say
the Transvaal government has completed
the first draft Of the reply. which was
then being considered by the raads in
secret session.