Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-14

London, Oct. 12.-Intense excitement
prevails here. War with the Beers has
virtually begun. Actual details Of the
first conflict at arms are now awaited
with anxiety. No formal declaration
of war on either side Is expected.
The war speeches last night by cab
met members in various parts of the
country capped the climax. But the real
crisis came earlier, when Montague
White, consul general Of the South Af-
rican republic in London closed the con-
sulate and Immediately left for the con-
tinent.
A dispatch to The Daily Telegraph
from Ladysmith, dated Wednesday,
alone among the specials received, de-
clares that war has been begun by the
Beers in Natal. The correspondents
says:
Free State burghers have seized
train at Harrismlth which was the prop
erty of the Natal government. Last
night mounted patrol was stoned by
Beers. The mems orders were not to
fire unless they We're fired upon"
The other dispatches only represent
that hostilities are imminent.
If the Beers have actually begun their
raid upon Natal, as is reported, they ap-
parently have not waited for the time
limit of their ultimatum to expire. In
thus precipitating conflict they would
be within their rights, 1t is acknowl-
edged, both in virtue of the notification
in the last paragraph of their ultimatum
and also of the British acknowledgment.
The story Of the reported advance of
the Beers across the Natal border states
that the invaders entered Natal by the
important pass of Cudy Cleugh, 81 miles
southwest Of Newcastle. 1t may be e%-
pected that in accordance with this move
the Beers will occupy Newcastle at once.
A dispatch from Glencoe camp, dated
Wednesday noon, says the burghers are
reported to be beyond the presidents
control and hostilities are expected at
any moment.
1t is rumored that Conyngham Greene,
the British diplomatic agent at Pretoria,
has been assassinated there. The report,
however, Is unconflrmed and Is dis
credited at the colonial office.
The rumor that Mr.. Greene had been
murdered is Of doubtful origin, and is
considered extremely improbable. as 1t
is believed that in obedience to orders
from the imperial government, Mr..
Greene had already left Pretoria.
The military authorities IN South A.
rica have installed censorship over all
kilograms, in order to prevent informa-
tion regarding British movements from
reaching the Beers.
Authentic information from Lady
smith confirms the report that it Is the
intention of the Beers to occupy New
castle.
A dispatch from Newcastle, Natal, says
that at a meeting held there In the in
terest Of peace, crowd of patriots IN
vaded the hall, stormed the platform and
moved and carried resolution to sup
port the government in the war. The
police were called upon to restore order
and finally cleared the hall.
The commission at JOhanne burg hav-
ing the matter in charge is issuing very
few permits to British subjects to re-
main there. In subscribing to the oath
those who remain must be obedlent to
the laws and authorities and neither
directly nor indirectly do ought against
the independence Of the country or the
people, The oath is not regarded as one
of neutrality.
A satisfactory reply from the British
government Is not expected. ana all ar
rangements have been made for the
declaration Of martial law.
At last advices the Boer forces In
laager along the Sand river, under the
orders of Commandart General Joubert,
were varously estimated at from 5000 to
5000 men. 1t Is generally expected that
the first outbreak Of hostilities will be
the occupation of Laing's Mex. at the
apex of the triangle formed by the Natal
frontier. While there would be little
trouble in doing this, the British au-
thorities are confident that they have a
sufficient force gathered at Dundee and
Ladysmith to hold the Beers in check
should they attempt an inroad in force
into Natal. Unconfirmed cable reports
are that the burghers of the Orange Free
State have entered Natal, through the
pass OF Cudy Cleugh. There are four
systems Of railroads leading from the
sea to the Transvaal from Cape Town
through the Orange Free State, which
have been made imperative by the
burghers Of the Free State, another from
Durham, which enters the Transvaal
through Laings Mex. The occupying
Of the Mex by Kruger's men shuts off
this route. Another is from Delagoa
Bay, which runs through Portuguese or
neutral territory, and therefore cannot
be used. There Is another through the
Orange Free State. Therefore, there Is
~ direct access from British soil to the
lofty plateau Of the Transvaal, except
through passes. which are not difficult
to defend This is the reason the Beers
have been sending troops to the railroad
pass at the Natal frontier. Their plan
Is said to be to defend this and other
passes and to destroy the railroads en-
tering the Orange Free State, If need
be- to prevent the British from using
them. The Trarsvaal plateau is mostly
5000 feet high or more, and the mountains
in front, resting on the lowlands, scarce
ly overtop 1t.
The outbreak Of war has sent up the
price of English wheat. and in various
country markets the farmers have re-
fused to sell wheat under 30 shillings per
quarter. in some cases even holding out
for a still higher price.
A dispatch from Kimberley says Cecil
Rhodes is expected there shortly.
The Daily Mail this morning publishes
a report of an interview with j. B.
Robinson, the African millionaire, who
declares that the Beers have plenty Of
food and ammunition and are quite un-
likely to disperse. ION the contrary"
says Mr.. Robinson. "they mean to fight,
believing they have an easy task. The