Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-10-06
HOSTILITIES EXPECTED.
CLASH BETWEEN BRITISH AND BoERs
ANTICIPATED THIS WEEK,
The Negotiations Reach an Impasse---BuA
Sides Obstinate and Continue Prepara-
tions for wzr---President Kruger Holds
the situation in his ActioM
London War now seems certain.

Associated Press, September IS, Is still
pacific circumstance But it has
doubtful significance when compared
with the genuine and far reaching
preparations they are making FOR hos
tilities
AS frequently mentioned in these dis
patches, the attitute of the British gov
ernment in always insisting upon sov-
ereign powershas practically undergone
no change throughout she entire negO-
siations Every stage has depended
upon President Kruger. II he would
not back down when the British de-
mands were less sweepingly expressed,
he can scarcely do so now when they
are formulated vNta almost brutal
| frankness
The negotiations, according to Pres
ident Kruger's statements and judging
from all the available information seek
to have reached an impasse, Rumors Of
the interference of a foreign power con
tinue to crop out, but the most san
guine scarcely believe this would turn
the British from their determination.
evident from the first, to attempt to
compel President Kruger to submit
absolutely to their terms, though
speculation is rife regarding the awk
ward complications which might en-
ne by German or Russian diversion
in various parts of the globe
Bereft of the countless, confusing
phrases, due to secrecy regarding the
intentions of the governments involved
and the contradictory reports from the
troubled territory, the most probable
solution of the present situation seems
this;
The Beers, who must have plainly
seen the efforts Of the British govern
ment to avert hostilitles until the ar
rival of reinforcements, having weeks
ago planned q campaign, will put 1t in
action perhaps as early as this week.
They probably will avoid engagements,
devoting their energies to the destruc-
tion of property and the capture OF
prisoners. perhaps including raid on
Delagoa Bay.
Were peace or war dependent merely
upon matters of suzerainty or the fran
chise, there might be some hope that
hostilities might be averted at the last
moment But the Associated Press
learns that apparently there is truth in
what the party papers have often hint
ed at-that is to say, that the underly
ing motive actuating the British gov
ernment throughout the negotiations
has been the suppression of what they
have reason to believe was far reach
ing conspiracy from the Zambestsi, q
Dutch Federation from the Zambest to
the Cape.
The authority for this statement is
NJ. Chamberlain himself.
The speaker, peace advoeate5 ad-
mits regretfully that the war party is
in the ascendant in Great Britain, an
every London daily except the Chroni-
Gle, supports N. Chamberlain with
every afternoon paper except the West
minister Gazette the Star and tho
Echo. Among the country papers,
however, some of the most influential
bitterly oppose war Their feelings
are well voiced by the speaker. saying
ave seem fated to be plunged into
war for which the historian viii be
unable to find adequate Justification, or
even a PLAUSIBLE excuse.
All Europe is intensely interested in
the outcome Of Great Britain Trans
vaal trouble hence the internal trou bles
of several countries have not received
the attention they otherwise would.
A telegram from Pretoria says the
widest excitement prevails here and
that the war preparations are proceed
ing apace. Big guns, field telegraphs,
burghers, munitions Of war and pro-
visions are being hurried off to Nolk-
rust, the projected base of the Boer OPP
Grafton against Natal Crowds gather
ed the stations to witness the departure
of the military trains. General Joub-
ert went to Nolksrust Sunday The
Boer War Qlfice is working night and
day, aaG communicating is actively
proceeding