Arizona republican., 1899-10-25
TRANSVAAL'S GOLD
Attracts a Washington Fill
buStering Expedition.
Plan 10 Organize as Colonization
and Mining Company and Form
an Alliance with the Probable
ViCtOrs In the african war.

Washington. Oct z4-PIans have
been formulating in Washington for
some time past to send a filibustering
expedition from this country to the
Transvaal. The chief promoter Of the
scheme is said to be Major George \.
Armes, a retired army officer. Back
OF the project, it is said. there are
number of men of extended military
experience, mining experts. and cap
italists, whose purpose is to form a
company for the ultimate purpose If
going to South Africa and securing an
interest in the gold fields
The idea had its inception several
that the crisis would soon be reached
between the British and the Beers. and
the plans are now said to be we'll de-
veloped and the money and men in a
large measure arranged for. Owing TO
the fact that great secrecy has been
preserved by the promoters OF the pro
ject the details of the arrangements
cannot be fully learned. SIT is known.
however, that the leaders of the move
ment had agents III the west seeking
recruits for the expedition. The plan,
so far as can be definitely learned.
contemplates the organization of
colonization and mining company for
the ostensible purpose of going to
South Africa, taking up claims and
working the gold mines.
The real purpose. il is said, how
ever is to enter the Transvaal when
the country is in the throes Of war.
and, by allying the forces of the eX-
pedition on the side of the victor, to
secure and retain a slice of the mining
interests for the profit OF its mem
bers. If it is found feasible to fight
for the Boers. the expedition is to en-
list its strength in their cause, while,
on the other hand. if it is thought that
better advantage can be gained by
fighting with the B-e5fsh, this course
is to be pursued. They expect to be
on hand when the final triumph of
either side comes. and TO profit accord
ingly.
It is claimed that there is enough
money behind the movement to equip
and maintain large expedition for 4
long time However. it is proposed as
far as possible that each recruit shall
equip himself. but where this cannot
be done the company contemplates ad-
vancing the necessary funds and tneo
requiring its return from the profits
of the expedition. The great body Of
men to compose the expedition is to be
constituted of hardy frontiersmen.
cowboys and Indian fighters-in fact.
a sort of Rough Rider outfit. These
are to be enlisted and subject to mill
tary discipline, under experienced
leaders, of whom Major Armes is to be
the head.
1t is claimed >hat, according to the
reports already received. a large force
can be raised. Tt is stated that the
expedition will not be affected by the
neutrality laws, by reason of the fact
that it is to be organized as a COLOMBIA
ton and mining project. Nevertheless
the question Of a landing place is one
which is causing the promoters some
1t is claimed that the move
ment has already so well advanced
that the expedition will ba able to
start out upon comparatively short |
notice The names of several promi- !
nent men are mentioned as being in +,
terested in the scheme.