The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-10-03
WAR SEEMS INEVITABLE.
ENGLANDS DETERMINED ATTITUDE
REMAINS UNCHANGE

The Beers Peaceful Language Not
Consistant With Their Preparations
1Tor War England's Intention Ext
den Delay Hostilities Only Until
file ent Arrival of Troops.
Copyright by Associated PrAss.)
London, September 3O.-War now
seems certain. The extraordinary de-
lay of the Beers in taking a hostile in
Itiative, as pointed out in the dispatch
to the Associated Press September 23rd
is still a pacific circumstance, out it
has doubtful significance when COM
pared with the genuine and far reach
ing preparations they are making for
hOstilities
AS frequently mentioned in these dis
patches, the attitude of theBritish gov
eminent always insisting upon sover-
eign power has practically undergone
no change throughout the entire nego-
tiations. Every stage has depended
upon President Kruger. If he would
not back down when the British de-
mands were less sweepingly expressed,
he can scarcely do so now, when they
are formulated with almost brutaA
frankness The negotiations, accoro-
ing to President kruger'S own STATE
ments, and judging from all the aVaA-
able information, seem to nave reaoneu
an impasse RumnrS of the 1nuerIer-
ence Of a foreign power continue 10
crop up but the most sanguine scarce
ly believe this would turn the BRUSH
from their determination, evident from
to otf
dent Kruger to submit absolutely 10
their terms though speculation is rife re-
garding the awkward complications
which might ensue, by German or Rus-
siam diversion in various pants OF the
globe.
Rereaft of the countless, confusing
phases due to secrecy, regarding the IN
tentions of the governments InVolFeo
and the contradictory reports from
the troubled territory, the most prop
able solution of the present sltuatpoh
seems this:
The Beers, who must have PLAINLY
seen the efforts of the British govern
ment to avert hostilities until the ar
rival of reinforcemnts, having weeks
ago. planned a campaign, Will put IL
in action, perhaps as early as TINS week.
They with probably avoid engagements,
devoting their energies to the destruc-
prisoners, perhaps including raid on
Delogoa bay. 1t seems unlikely tnat
they will attack via Laing's Mex and
other passes of that boundry, for the
simple reason that these points are SO
openly talked about as their probaole
points of aggression, keenest observers
believing it to be more likely that the
Beers will operate through Zululand,
thus creating diversion Of the 1o,ooo
British troops, now chiefly massed AT
Iadysrnith or in its neighborhood. In
the meanwhile, on. perhaps, previous 20
this. a British army corps, consisting
of 20, 900 men or more will be sent OUT
Parliament viii be summoned and no
doubt the necessary supplies VIII De
| granted, though there viii be some hon
| debating.
Regarding the plans of campaign OF
| the respective armies, there Is no re-
| liable information, though it is the gen
eral assumption that the main object OF
| the British will be the capture OF Pre-
| toria-
The duration of the conflict is a mat
| ter of the widest surmiSe, though the
continental and British papers do no,
express the faintest doubt that it VIII
result in the defeat Of the Beers, ano
the addition OF their country to Grea'
Britain's colonies.