The age-herald., 1899-09-28
PREPARATIONS FOR
 WAR GO FORWARD
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  anything the feeling of gloom has deepen ed
 From Pretoria and Capetown reports show that the general impression prevails there that the Boers will not recede from their position, and that the feeling of un- rest at Pretoria has been intensified. A dispatch today announces that the Transvaal government has begun to ap- point officers to go to the front in case of hostilities.
 The executive council of the Transvaal had prolonged sitting yesterday, and has been in constant telegraphic communica- ton with the Orange Free State. No decision, it is said, regarding the at titude of the Free State has yet been reach ed.
 The Transvaals reply to the dispatch of the secretary of state for the colonies, Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, will be drafted to- day and submitted to the raad in secret session. The members appear convinced that Great Britain is determined on war. Being anxious to force Great Britains hands, the Boers will not take any definite steps until the draft of their reply is con- sidered, but notice has been issued to the burghers to be in readiness for command ing, which commences shortly. A quantity of arms, chiefly Martini rifles, have been distributed.
 The Orange Free State raad continues in secret session.
 Raising American Troops
 A telegram from Johannesburg says an American named Blake is raising American corps of 800 men for the Boers. On the Cape side are dfspa tches showing the military activity Is in the direction of the frontier. The camp at Dundee now consists of two regiments of infantry, a Husar regiment. two field batteries, one mounted battery and detachment of en- gineers.
 The Kings Rifles are now encamped at Lady Smith, and the Fifth Lancers are ar irving there. The authorities have been unable to overcome the trouble with Cape drivers, who refuse to accompany the mountain batteries to the front from Lady Smith, which is one of the basis of opera tions.
 An armed train hurriedly completed at Capetown. left there at midnight for Lady Smith. It consists of a powerful engine with a three-quarter inch boiler, a tender and three twenty ton cars The whole out fit is painted Khaki color is loop-hoed for rifles and a machine gun, and is capable of carrying 120 men.
 The Bechanaand border is closely pa- trolled day and night.
 BrItisl, Residents Leave Natal
 Most of the British residents have left Pietermartzburg, Natal and the northern part or the IranSNdal, where, IL IS a1l- nounced, a command of 25G burghers will shortly proceed. It is reported that Boer agents have made large purchases of grain at Durban.
 The inhabitants of many towns on the frontier have appealed to Sir Alfred Mill ner the British high commissioner in South Africa, to send them military protection.
 dispatch to the Pal Mall Gazette from Capetown reports evidences of unrest among the Griquas and Pondos, and a sec ton of the Bechuanas and Matabales. It is feared they will revolt in event of war.
 The war office has ordered the whole transport supply for an army corps to pre- pare to proceed to the Cape. This is a very important order, and means an early dis patch of an army ccrps The men of twenty-five companies are being medically examined al Aldershot today.
 The Currie line has just received or der from the admiralty to prepare the Braemer Castle. of that line. to sail for the Cape October 6 with 1400 officers and men. This is an entirely fresh batch of troops. and the composition of it is un- known.
 The Currie line has been compelled to cancel it's passenger list, which was made up, and workmen have been sent to trans form the Braemer Castle into a transport Tn spite of these war-like preparations, South African circles in London still be- lieve there will be no war and that the Boers will finally concede the British de- mands.