The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-10
WOULD 0VERAWE THE FOE
A BOLD FRONT TO
ALL EUROPE.
THE HOPE OF PEACE SEEMS TO REVIVE
Salisbury Hesitates to Begin the War, and the
Beers Seem Determined that England
Shall have the Shame of
Striking First Blow.
Striking First Blow.

Striking First Blow.
Brtain's military preparation-seem
out of all proportion to the work in hand.
in South Africa-was not fully realized
by the public until the War Office an
nounced that $4,000 reserves had nj
ready been summoned to rejoin the col
ors.
As matter of fact General Sir Red
vers Butler will have command of twice
-as many British soldiers as the Duke of
Wellington. the conqueror of the First
Napoleon, ever saw collected on one bat
tlefield.
The reasons back of this lavish display
are probably a fear of native rising
and possibly a conviction OF the adyisa-
bility of showing Europe that Great Bri-
tain lis prepared to resent amy action re-
sulting from the prevalent continental i'll
will
In this connection, the action of the
American Department of State and the
friendly statements of President McKin-
ley and Secretary of State Hay publish
ed here are heartily welcomed as Il hap
py return for Great Britains refusal to
sanction continental intervention in the
war between the United States ard
Spain.
As the Beers failed to attack Natal
when the colony was vulnetables it rs be-
ginning to he felt TINT they are pursuing
a deliberate policy of waiting for the
British proposals, remaining in the
meantime ON the defensive, in tho hope
of thus winning the sympathieS of the
world ami perhaps, the support of other
nations and leaving to Great Britain the
ignoluiny of starting h0stIlities.
If they await the advance of General
Sir Redyers Butler it is conceivable that
peace viii not he broken during the
present ye:s< Should that prove the
case and should the alleged wastage in
the Boer commanders continue the force
confronting the British commanding gell-
eral will he neither as numerous nor as
efficient as that now encamped along the
Natal border.
Events have thus seemed to shape
themselves to secure ample pause for
consideration. All the proposals in the
correspondence between President Steyn
of the Orange Free State and Sir Alfred
Miner. British high commissioner in
South Africa, show tlfat the negotiations
were proceeding UP to October 9th and
that neither dtspair, If peace, SIR Al
fred Miner saying he was sure amy
reasonable proposal would be favoralhy
considered by the British Government.
Presidpnt Steyn's virtual proposal of
a neutral zone, TO be created pending
further attempt at conihation, meets
with considerable approval.
A rrhnor is current that political inter-
est in the situation may shortly increase,
as it is alleged that the managers OF the
Unfonist PARTY in Great Britain are
strongly urging the Government to dis
solve Parliament after the necessary
credit is voted and to go to the electorate
in a parliamentary general election up
on the broad issue of the Governments
policy in South Africa.
The real intentions of the Premier. the
Marquis of Salisbury, may be expected
to develop shortly. AS at present ar
ranged, the work of the session, wheh
will begin October 18th, will consist Of
the Queens speech. dealing exclusively
with the South African question. the vot
ing of the credit and the passage of an
appropriation bill This will occupy
three weeks.
The Legislative plans of the Govern
ment will not be disclosed until Parlla-
ment meets again in February. and no
private bills wall be allowed to be intro
duced.
Owing to the decline in the military
resources, NIL colonial rehefs have been
stopped for year.
According to the latest adyices from
Johannesburg, the natives, who seem
to have been reinforced by the lawlcss
element, are getting out of hand and
anarchy is threatened.
From the continent comes an mcoul-
ti17med report that preparations are be-
ing made for am organized attack rLUn
the mines by the natives and tae de-
struction Of the plants.
A report is in circulation here of IN
organization of Il corps of volunteers ~
aid the burghers but it lacks confrma-
tion.
The Berlin correspondent of the Stand
ard says:
Information has been received i'm
diplomatic quarters here that Lord Sails
bury, at the last moment. hesitates to
enfer uror war with the Transvaal.
A peaceful solution is not, therefore al
together impossible, although it is inn
probable"
Through their official representatives