The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-28

crossed the border 10 eyaoe a warrant Is
sued for his arrest by the Transvaal au-
Immediately on war being de-
clared both the Star and Leader will be
suppressed. Several johannesburg papers
have already suspended publication.
A FRANK STATEMENT.
Most important light is thrown upon the
by a frank statement to the As
ISOLATED Press by Sir Walter Peace, agent
general for Natal in London. who fought
against the Beers in former years. He said:
The attitude of the Orange Free State
means it's inevitable acquisition by Great
Britain. Peace in South Africa can only
be accomplished by war. In my opinion a
war would not last more than two months.
In order to make pacifcation effective Great
Britain must assume absolute control over
the whole of South Africa. So far as the
position of Natal is concerned. all this talk
about poor, undefended Natal Is nonsense.
There will be little or no fighting in Natal.
if it comes to a war. and i fear that no
other issue is now possible. What do you
think 10000 British troops would be doing
while this much talked-of Boer raid was in
progress? Our railways are in good working
order and our troops can be transported
quickly. The bad weather conditions have
Uttl mdSllncus "A NoAupdl6H tOulu NC q
ried on now just as well as in any other
season. Two months from the day Gen. Sir
Redvers Butler lands the fighting will be
over. If the Free State had been loyal,
fighting would not have lasted fourteen
days. It is the luckiest thing in the world,
however. that the Free State has been fool
ish enough to take a hostile attitude, for
tina means her addition to British posses
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been a disturbing factor in the quiet of
South Africa.
Great Britain has the power to work out
ultimate peace. IT remains to be seen wheth-
er she has the spirit. Upon the conclusion
of war, which must be u%nfinching in order
to be effective, British control must be alb
solute over all South Africa, in Cape Colony,
Natal and other sections. Half measures
would only prolong unrest and produce more
disturbances.
Il have known the Beers as we'll as any
man. I have lived among them and have
fought them. To exist peacefully so close
to them is an utter impossibility. Negotia-
tons are well enough in their way, but Brit
ish control of the Transvaal must come
eventually. For years the Beers have been
crying Throw the outlarcer into the sea-
and out with him. Possibly they are not
so virile as during the last war, but there
is little difference. My idea is that if the
Beers were caught in the open once or
twice the thing would be ended. Kill five
hundred of them and all that would remain
for England to do would be to send a few
shiploads of Grape. They never have stood
in the open. and if war comes now they
will have to do more than stay in the hills.
This is not optimistic twaddle. but an opin-
ion based upon my experience in campaigns
against the Beers. 1 have not the slightest
fears for the safety of my colony or it's
towns. 1t is possible that a few Boer in
cursions might get a few miles into Natal,
but no farther and it must be remembered
that many of those living on the edge Of
the Natal border are themselves Boers.'
A PARIS RUMOR.
M. De Blowitz, the Paris correspondent
of the Times, who mentions a rumor in
circulation there that hostilities nave al
ready broken out in South Africa, says:
Too much .reliaf-e should not be placed
upon assertions that no European power
will interfere In the struggle. Nothing will
be certain until the war is actually in prog
ress and it may be that the unanimity of the
European papers in asserting the neutrality
OF continental Europe is a device to in
duce the Transvaal not to recede.
The Johannesburg correspondent Of the
Morning Post says: Twenty trucks filled
with armed burghers and fifty horses left
johannesburg for the border yesterday by
way of Elandsfontein. The plan Of cam
paign drawn up at Pretoria proposes to
employ a of two thousand men
to defeat the slender force in Rhodesia and
to hand the territory over to the natives.
1t Is hoped that a force of ten thousand
burghers will be sufficient to rush the Natal
border, capture forts, hold them to prevent
the landing OF British reinforcements. The
Beers rely upon having supplies enough to
last them for a year. They expect before a
year has expired that Russia will intervene
by creating a diversion in some part Of the
British dominions. All the burghers count
privately on receiving support from Cape
Colony.
The Daily Chronicles Cape Town CORE
spondent says: Il have received informa-
ton of the highest Importance as to the
possibility Of a peaceful solution of the diff
fculty. Complete estrangement exists be-
tween Sir Alfred Miner and Mr.. Hoffmeyer
and the Afrikander leaders. Persons enjoy
ing the confidence of the Transvaal gov
eminent, however, are convinced that if the
imperial government empowers Mr.. Hoff-
meyer to assure the Transvaal that a five
year franchise would secure peace, the
other questions being dealt with by the
reformed republic gradually or by arbitra-
ton. all existing difficulties will disappear.
1 am assured that Mr.. Hofmeyer would ac-
cept such a mission.
"A friend of President Kruger here has re-
ceived a letter stating that the President
prayed three hours the other evening, and
afterwards said he was perfectly happy.
The Lord had told him to fight, and he was
not afraid of Chamberlain. Commander
General J%oubert, Vice President of the re-
public. Is in nominal charge of the Boer
forces, but the real leader is General
Cronge. who commanded the party firing
the first shot in the war for independence, !"
HURRY ORDER FOR HORSES.
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