The times., 1899-10-12
THURSDAY. OCTOBER L.. 1899.
The First Act of War.

According TO news received last night.
the invasion of Natal occurred yesterday, a
force of Beers crossing the frontier by way
Of the cundy Clough Pass. thirty seven
miles southwest of New Castle. This move
ment. assuming the report to be correct,
would seem to indicate that a junction had
been formed between a part Of Joubert's s
force from the laager near Laing's Mex.
and one or more commanders Of Orange
Free State troops, since the pass named
connects Natal with the country of the lat
ter.
To meet this invasion there are British
troops at Ladysmith, about twenty miles
southeast OF cundy CIough, on the rail-
way which traverses it, the line extending
from Bethlehem on the other side to Dur
ban, OF the Natal coast. How many troops
know-probably small brigade-but a,
Dundee. twenty miles northeast, there were
approximately six thousand British soldiers
on q connecting railway line and within
quick supporting distance. II the intention
OF the advance was a serious raid into
Natal. there should be an engagement in
the neighborhood Of Ladysmith this morn
ing It is possible. however, that the move
ment may have been intended only 70 seize
and hold the pass.
There is rather important evidence that
sympathy for the Transvaal Republic, or
rather hostility TO England, IS rather more
pronounced on the Continent than has
appeared in any public way previously.
NJ. Delcasse, the French Minister OF For
eign Affairs. appears TO be bestirring him
self vigorously in Kruger's interest Yes
terday he had an interview with the British
Ambassador at Paris, succeeded by infor-
nal conferences with Count Muravieff
the Russian. Foreign Minister, who is Wis
iting the French capital, and with the dip
lomaue representatives Of Germany and
Italy. Today he win give banquet. at
which these Continental diplomatists will
be present. as also several notables con-
nected with The Hague Peace Conference
The South African situation viii be dis
cussed with a view 10 arriving at some
conclusion in regard to the possibiHtie:
OF a movement In the direction OF media
tion or Intervention What all this mas
porten6 IL is too early even TO conjecture
Il VIII probably not surprise Her Ma
5estg's Government, as the extent OF the
imperial war preparations mas been con-
aiLered suggestive Of a recognized menace
Of foreign interference. The tone of the
French press is vindicuvely bitter against
Great Britain. coupling that State with the
United States in general denuneiation oi
both as brutal assailants OF weak nations
X IS regarded as certain that If Mr.
Schreiner. Premier Of Cape Colony. and
mis- Afril.ander ministry have not already
resigned. Sir Alfred Miner viii dismiss
them-perhaps has done so. He has issuet
2 proclamation declaring all persons sbet
ting the enemy 10 be guilty OF high treason
The report is current that. pending othe
negotiations, the British Government ha
acquired the right from Portugal TO Lam
troops at Delagoa Bay and 10 march then
through Portuguese territory to the Trans
yasl.
When the awful danger Of general in
surrection OF the blacks in South Afric
IS contemplated understandingly, the ac
with Great Britain appears nothing shoT
VI madness. There is too much reasol
Tor fearing that such an eventuality is al
but certain Whether OF not II may extern
70 All the savage tribes OF the vast region
is something unknOwable as yet, but tn
indications and the logic OF the situation
make the affirmative more than horribl
probability A despatch last evening fron
Pietermaritzburg stated that the Basuto
were becoming restless, and congregatin
on the borders. This is indeed ominous.
The country OF this tribe, known a
Raeaicland occupies a strip OF mountai
territory included within the beundarie
OF Cape Colony and lying along the south
eastern confines Of the Orange Fres stat'
Its savage inhabitants are hereditary fee
of the Free State Beers. the latter havin
defrauded them OF large area OF thei
former possessions. II has been matte
os common belief In South Africa that, a
the first favorable opportunity. the Basu
los would cross the border and sweep th
territory OF their Dutch neighbcrs frol
the Orange 70 the YaaL They can pu
thirty thousand fierce and merciless war
riors In the field on the shortest motto.
What comDlicates the situation, as far q
they are concerned. Is that they have
recent grievance against the British Gov
erument. which not long ago notified the,
that they would be obliged to Fay an ad