The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-10-03
PREPARATIONS
STILL GOING ON
TranSTaal Situation Far from an AMIGA
bic Settlement.
B0ERS READY TO FIGHT
Reported That 5000 Troops Are Near
the Frontier.
ABOUT TO ATTACK DUNDEE
Charleston is Deserted, and Men and
Women Have Fled for Safety-Dis-
patches to London However
Deny the Story

Dundee, Natal, October 2.-Five thous-
and Beers are now concentrated in close
proximity to the frontier, and it is reported
that they are about to attack Dundee. The
most complete precautions have been
taken.
Charleston Is deserted All the women
and children have left and not more than
ten men now there. A locomotive is
ready to bring away the railway staff.
London, October 2-No confirmation is
obtainable from any source of the report
published in a dispatch to the Exchange
Telegraph company that the Beers have
captured Dundee.
No exceptional activity was shown at the
government Office today. Mr.. Chamberlain
and the Earl of Selborne were absent from
the colonial office, but Lord Lansdowne,
General Lord Woolsey and General Sir
Evlyn Wood were busily engaged at the
war office this afternoon and a special
board meeting was held. None of the dis
cusson was made public, but it is under
stood that General Redvers Butler will not
proceed for the Cape until next week ex-
cept in case of unforeseen developments.
Many members of parliament are return
ing to town in anticipation of early sum-
moning of the houses of parliament. 1t Is
the general impression that although some
spectators may express disapproval of the
governments policy, few will go to the ex-
treme of voting against their required
credit. 1t Is considered more probable that
they will abstain from participating in a
division. Sir William Vernon Harcourt
liberal leader having in a speech said:
''The first and last word of these gold
hunters is war, in order to lead to an act
of annexation"
Acknowledges Truth of Statement
A correspondent wrote to Lord Salisbury
asking If it were not true that the govern
ment would make every effort to avert
war and had no desire to annex the Trans
vaal if settlement could be obtained
peacefully Lord Salisbury replied, an
swering aff1rmatlvely.
The Duke of Argyle in reply to an inquiry
as to what he thought of Sir William ver-
non Harcourt's words said they were pure
party clap-trap, adding:
II have no respect for a petty state which
invites, rises by means of and depends upon
the labor and brains of strangers, and then
refuses them the common rights of hui
manity and condemns them to an intolera-
BILE life of serfdom.'
A letter from an Uitlander received in
Birmingham was published today. If it
reflects the general feeling of the British
residents in Johannesburg they must be in
an awful funk. The writer says: ''If 1t
comes to fight, believe the Beers will
make massacre of it. blow Johannesburg
to atoms and shoot us on sight. In fact,
I have been told so by one In Office"
Active Military Preparations
Representatives from various arsenals
and garrisons in Great Britain testify to
the active continuance of military prep
arations. The reserves have received pre-
liminary notice to be prepared and several
regiments have been notified to hold
themselves in readiness for active service.
Altogether there will be nine generals
In command of columns. A complete plan
of campaign has been arranged with the
Orange Free State. President Kruger ad-
dressed the troops which started for the
Natal boder on Saturday appealing to their
patriotism and wishing them God-speed.
Fighting is expected by Wednesday.
The rumor that fighting has already COM
menced seems to have originated at the
Woolwich arsenal. Matters are at stand
still and practically no dispatches from
South Africa have been received this morn
ing. The Morning Post again complains
editorially that, although the government
put their hands to the plow in July. Octo-
ber has arrived without visible progress
having been made. The paper asks what
they are waiting for and expresses tho
;.,;1. af,,
tanned Is hardly consonant with the high
sounding words that have been used
The Daily Chronicle says that it has rea-
son to believe the formation of naval
brigade is contemplated.
The Chronicle, which has lately been ad-
vocating the policy of sending an imperial
commissioner, suggesting for the post the
Marquis of Duffern and Ava, to meet Presi-
dent Kruger and try to arrange matters,
today argues that the ministers now see
the mischief which Mr.. Chamberlain has
brought on the country.
The paper goes on to comment on the
speech made by the Duke of Devonshlre
on Saturday last and asks why Lord Sails
bury and the Duke of Devonshire did not
interfere before. 1t then suggests that the
Duke of Deyonshire be sent as high ple- |
to negotiate with President |
Kruger.
A rumor. which, however lacks confirma- |
tion, is current at the clubs tonight that |
the Duke of Connaught will accompany |
General Sir Redvers Butler to Africa as |
imperial commissioner to confer with Pres |
ident Kruger and President steyn.
The situation
A prominent Enghshman. DR.. Wilson,