The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-09-18
WOMEN ASK FOR GUNS.
Olive schreiner Writes Bitterly of the
Situation.


London, Sept 1S.-The TransvaaI sit
uatiOn remains practically unchanged
The general apprehension in regard to
the outcome was reflected by the de-
cline in consols and stocks on the stock
exchange, where although all stocks
continued depressed there was not the
slightest approach to excitement.
The text of President kruger'S reply
was issued by the secretary of state for
the colonies, Mr.. Chamberlain. this af-
ternOOn, but il adds nothing of i'm
portance to the summary already
cabled to the Associated Press.
The language in many places is taken
to indicate a firm unyielding position.
The reply however concludes:
If her majesty'S government is will
ing and feels able to make this decision,
it would put an end to the present state
of tension. Race hatred would de-
crease and die out and the prosperity
and welfare of the South African re-
public and the whole of South Africa.
would be developed and furthered and
determination between the different ma
uonalties would increase"
The second edition of the Times con-
tains a dispatch from johannesburg
which says:
There is, I am informed. some early
coup in contemplation The quanti-
ties of compressed forage forwarded in
the direction of the Natal border indi-
cate some move on the part of the
troops in that quarter.
The government is buying horses
freely today"
The evening papers all indicate the
seriousness of the crisis, but the St.
James Gazette says:
1T need not be imagined that any
thing will be done on our side in hur-
~ The cabinet has first to reconsider
and secondly to formulate fresh pro-
pOsals- Therefore. these commentators
on the crisis who assume that fighting
Will Immediately commence are obVi-
OuSly a little previous. OF cOuSe, it is
quite possible the Beers may begin hos
tilltieS, in which case our troops Will
have to defend British territory. But
unless the Beers take the offensive the
negotiations viii be prolonged until the
reinfOrcements now on their way to
South Africa reach their destina ton. ="
Olive Schreiner CMrs. CrOnwright),
contributes an eloquent cable letter on
the situation to the Manchester Guar
dian. She says:
Let England clearly understand
what war in South Africa means. The
largest empire the world has ever seen
viii hurl its full force against a small
state and about 10000 men, including
lads of l6 and old men of so, without a
standing army OF organized commits
Sariat. The entire little people will have
to resolve itself into an army of their
wives and daughters, who will prepare
the bread and meat the farmers will
put in their saddle bags when they go
to meet the enemy. Today the women
of the TransVaal are demanding guns
that they may take their part in the
last stand. We may crush the little
people with the aid of Australians and
Canadians, since the British Isles seem
unable to crush them alone We may
take their land and lower the little flag
of his independence so dear to the Boer
but we shall have placed a stain upon
our own that centuries will not wash
OUt. Only he International speculate
who through persistent misrepreSenta-
tiOus and by means of the press, has
wrought this evil will gain and fill his
already overloaded pockets with South
African gold"