The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-27
WAR PREPARATIONS GO UN.
ENGLAND SENDS 1000 MORE TROOPS
TO SOUTH AFRICA.
Determination Not to Consider Kruger's
Proposal for Abrogating British suzer.
ainty-Mny 10 tho Issue--Strict Secrecy
Maintained Az to the Boers' Reply.


Proposal for Abrogating British suzer.
ainty-.May Bo tho Issue--strict Secrecy
Maintained As to the Beers Reply.
Special Gable Despatch.s to TIE Sun.
LONDON. Aug. 26.-The Transvaal question
still monopoizes great space in the press every
day. but public interest is no keener than 1t
was weeks ago The people are waiting for
some more definite inform alton than has yet
been forthcoming. The warlike preparations
on both sides proceed as actively as ever. A
thousand troops from Gibraltar and thous-
and from Southampton sailed Capewards this
week. The British Government has caused
Portugal to hold UP Boer war munitions at
Deagoa Bay while the strongest pressure Is
being brought to bear to prevent importation
OF guns via tho Orange Free State. which
Prime Minister Schrelncr OF Cape Colony says
1t is impossible to prevent in time OF peace.
These and other measures undoubtedly have
bellicose air but nothing has yet happened
to show that they are more than precautions AIRY
or that they indicate immediate rupture.
The Cabinet Is counting on leaving the
matter entirely in Colonial Secretary Cham
berlains IL he maintains the policy which
he has consistently followed since he
abandoned the provocative line in 1897.
namely. patient pressure. with force as an ulti
mate. but only as a very ultimate. resort. The
fact that Mr.. Chamberlain, who violated the
traditions OF the Government Offices in more
freely taking the public into his confidence. is
now keeping the terms Of the Boer reply to his
proposal for Joint inquiry an absolute Sc
cret. is partly responsible. undou btedly. for
the gloomer view taken Of the chances OF war
during the last few days. An unofficial fore
cast OF the Beers reply. which has been ac-
cepted as true even by the strongest anti Beers.
admits that the Beers offer to grant as much
or even more than Sir Alfred MILF ers demands
but only on condition that Great Britain
abrogate her suzerainty. This, OF course. multi
fles everything. 1t would be impossible for
any government to consent to such q condi-
ton. aad its insertion Is regarded here as q bad
omen. 1t 10 the one question on which the
Beers are really united. and on the other
hand Englishmen are equally united While
they admit that argument Is possible as
regards the franchise and other questions. they
refuse to argue about this. II. then. 1t Ia true,
as everyone here believes. that President
Kruger made this stipulation. it will be the
plain Issue on which the question OF war will
be settled II he insists. the jingoes will have
what they desire: II he recedes. 1t 10 fair to
conclude that the wearisome course OF bargain
ing will again be resumed with a good chance
OF peaceable outcome. The latter still seems
the moro likely development.
Ihe birmingham .VnH makes the statement
authoritatvey that the order received by the
Kynochs for 100000 cartridges which it
was reported were to be delivered to the Trans
vaal Government. was placed by the Chinese
Government.
LORENZO MARQUEE. Aug. 26.-Several arrests
have been made here OF persons suspected OF
being emissaries OF the Transvaal Govern
ment. The arrests have caused considerable
excitement. as IL Is thought that the author
tiles anticipate Bocr raid for the purpose OF
obtaining the arms and ammunition recently
stopped here in transit to the Transvaal. The
troops are held In readiness for any emer-
gency.
JOHANNESBURG. Aug. 26.-It Is stated
that President Ringer and Vice. President
Joubert favor the sending OF special
peace commission to England composed
OF members Of the Volksraad and
headed by Secretary OF State Reitz. Address
ing the burghers this evening Vice. president
Joubert said that the Transvaal would fight to
the death for its independence.