The Washington weekly post., 1899-10-10
Outlook for a Spirited Strug-
gle in Parliament
B0ER ARMS on BRITISH SHIPS
Cape Authorities Criticised for Laxity Of
Guns and Ammunition to the Trans
vaaI-War Preparations Show that the
British Exgeot TO Bring Hostilities to a
Close by Next Msy-kruger Talks


cerning the preparations for the dispatch
Of the army corps. and speculation as 10
the length and character of the debates
when parliament meets. is published here
In official circles there is said 10 be ap-
prehension that the radicals will offer
prOtracted opposition to the governments
policy in South Africa, which will pos
slbly make prorogation and Christmas
near neighbors.
Baron Tweedmouth presided at meet
ing OF the council Of London Radicals to-
night which. after a speech by Lord
Tweedmouth deploring the unwise policy
Of the government, whose dispatches, he
declared. were not couched in conciliatory
terms. adopted a resolution in favor of
arbitration. and called upon the govern
ment to take steps tending to a settle
ment of the difficulty with the Transvaal
by negotiation for arbitration.
Lord Salisbury's whip 10 the lords. IS
sued tonight says parliament will deal
with matters of grave moment
The Guelph's Cargo of Arms.
The latest dispatch from Lourenzo Mar
queZ relating to the chasing of the Brit
ish steamer Guelph by the British cruiser
Philomel. caused some stir, especially as
il was announced that the Guelph had
landed at Durham 414 cases of ammunition
for the Beers. There is pretty general
feeling that ammunition ought not to be
allowed to be forwarded. The Pail Mall
Gazette. referring TO the matter, says:
There is some hope that the ammun-
ton VIII be seized at Durham, as Natal
possesses a ministry whose loyalty is
Had not the Filioinos been
given arms by Americans with which to
fight Spain, Gen. Otis would long ago
have been enjoying his ease at home.
Similarly with the Beers, we may have
to pay heavily in blood for the apathy
the Cape government has exhibited in
this matter"
Lord Vantage president Of the British
Red Cross Society. will shortly issue an
appeal for contributions to aid in the
work OF the society, which, he says, will
provide two hospital railway trains and
a hOspital-ship. The Duke of Westmin-
ster and Lord Vantage have given II 600
each, and Baron Rothschild has raised
I'll 900 among his friends.
Probable Duration of War.
Some indication of the war office esti-
mate of the duration of the campaign is
have contracted for eight months sup
plies of bread and other military requis-
ties rendered necessary by the absence
of the bulk of the army service corps,
whom the war office thus evidently cal
culates will be at home again by The be-
ginning of May. II appears that although
the war Office called up $500 reservists,
only the pick of them, some $780, VIII
be retained with the cOlors. The aUthori-
ties are pleased at the application of a
number of reservists belonging 10 the un-
mobOliZed classes who are volunteering
for foreign service. The war Cffice an
nOunCes that wives of reservisJs will get
and each child twopence daily
while the husbands and fathers are re-
tanned with the colors.
No UItimatum at Present.
The Duke of Devonshire, lord president
of the council of ministers. speaking at
Sheffield to-day, said that the deductions
made from his recent speech at Manches-
ter regarding the Transvaal situation had
warned him that a member of the gov
ernment could not be too careful.
Matters have not become more critical
during the last few days. remarked the
duke, land l trust this interval for refiec-
His grace added, however, that he was
afraid the only hopeful sign was the fact
that the government of the South African
Republic did not appear inclined to precip-
itate any acts of aggression upon British |
territory, such as their previous prepara-
tiCns led the British government 10 antic- |
pate as within the possibilities. No doubt |
the longer such an attempt should be de-
h. less 10 ha nHah
Of even a temporary success
Although the government does not |
consider it right" said his grace, ito re- |
lax any measures deemed necessary. and
preparations for the possible |
are still in fun progress, think |
| may say that the country may rest as
5ured that no :rreyocabIe step will be !
taken until the TTansvaal has received |
and has mad full opportunity 10 consider |
those demands which the British govern |
ment consider necessary TO protect the !
rights OF their fellow-ciJizens and to safe |
guard British interests in South Africa.
4 Lingering .iopr of Peace.
I'm these circumstances there is a !
chance that wiser c0unsels than have
hitherto prevailed may assert themselves |
There is no reason, in my opinion, 10 |
4 assumed a
more critical stage, and l trust that the I,
Interval for reflection may conduce to a /
settlement which all the arguments and
persuasion hitherto employed have been |
unable 10 effect"
The Duke CT Devonshire, referring TO |
the attempt that has been made to de- |
duce from my speech at Manchester some |
indication Of differences Of tendency. If |
not OF opinion and policy between mem
bers Of the cabinet" said that such diff |
ferences as seemed to have been inferred |
had no existence whatever
Reporfed Invasion of Natal.
The Daily Telegrlphs Ladysmith COR
says that a trustworthy COL
Onisl farmer asserts that he saw a thou
sand armed Beers on Sunday within the |
Natal border. near Chsrlestown.
The Daily Chronicle this morning points |
cut that although Mr.. Chamberlain agreed !
10 refer the matter 10 arbitration, the in
demnity FOR the Jameson raid is sun IN
paid. and is likely never 10 be paid if war
breaks cut between Great Britain and
the TransvSal.
The absence OF news from South Africa |
appears 10 be due 10 = heavy block ON 1
The telegraph lines. which may mean that |
The lines are occupied by Official dis |
patches and that negotiations are being |
actively carried on. From Durham il &
announced that no code messages viii /
be accepted for any part Of South Africa 1
without the production Of the codes
The TTansVaai banks nave been notffiad !
that no more gold Will be permitted TO /
leave the country