Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-05
Situation in Transvaal Still Bodies
Certain War.
Beers GATHER ON NATAL BORDER
But Have Orders Not to Cross at
Present
DIPLOMACY STILL AT WORK

movement of artillery.
The dispatch says:
THE Boer advance began today with
general movement of artillery The Beers
are occupying Lairg's Mex nightly. ana
row hold the mountains to the southwest
of Volksrust. There are no British troops
nearer than Ladysmith. and preparations
are being made to abandon Natal from the
frontier to Glencoe.
The inhabitants Of New Castle met today
and decided not to attempt to defend the
town in the event Of a Boer advance In
force. Gen. Symons is prepared to evac-
uate within twenty-four hours. People are
crowding the trains for Ladysmith."
Contradictory News From Africa.
Although today's news from South Africa
is Enthusiastically grave. the advocates Of
peace still derive a glimpse Of hope from
some Of the dispatches that the stage of
negotiation is not yet finally terminated.
The news is contradictory. Side by side
with the announcement that the Beers have
occupied Laings Mex is printed a dispatch
from Pretoria stating that the Transvaal
government has issued strict injunctions to
the commandments that British territory
must not be invaded. and that Commandment
General Jcubert has issued proclamation
threatening to shoot any man who crosses
the border.
Scarcely had the advocates Of peace ex-
changed congratulations over the announce
ment from Pretoria that ]. H. Hofmeyer
the Afrikander leader, and W. II. Schrei-
ner, the Cape premier, had undertaken a
joint semi-offical peace mission and had
actually started for Pretoria. where they
ought to have arrived last evening, when
later messages from the Transvaal capt.
tai declared that the Boer government
knew nothing of this alleged mission, and
that, in any event, nothing could preserve
peace but the withdrawal of the British de-
mands.
While it is not necessary to accept ali
the sensational statements regarding the
advance of the Beers. there is not a jot
OF evidence going to show that the
burghers contemplate recedlng.
Ignorance at War Office.
Up to . o'clock this afternoon nothing
had arrived to confirm the dispatch from
New Castle to the Daily Telegraph an
nOuncing that general advance of the
Boer forces began yesterday The war Of
fee ana the coiOnial office professed entire
ignorance in the matter, but this is in con-
sonance with the attitude toward the press
Another New Castle special, forwarded
later tiIan that to the Daily Telegraph
contradicts the first ana declares that al
was quiet on the border last evening, and
that there was no s.gn of a Boer advance
The next news regarding this alleged in
Nasion OF Natal is awaited with anxious in
rest The statement in the Daily Tele-
graphs special that there We're British
troops nearer New Castle than those at
Ladysmth is obviously an error, as three
British troops encamped at Dundee.
The alleged Boer advance comedies curl
ously with simultaneous kilograms from va
rious quarters regarding Boer ultimatum
and the expiration of the time limit last
evening.
A distinctly serious and ugly statement
comes from New Castle to the effect that
armed kafiirs accompany the Boer COM
mandoes. This would be an absolute
breach of the conditions supposed to gov
ern warfare among civilized nations. and
If true. presages scenes worse than even
the glOomiest forecasts.
From other New Castle advces 1t appears
that the premier OF Natal has telegraphed
the military authorities that they can rem
der New Castle no assistance, adding that
II the Beers intend to attack the town re-
sistance would be futile. and that the wo-
men and children should be sent away and
the town surrendered
RumOr of Martial Law.
An unconfirmed report says that martial
law has been proclaimed in the TransvaaI
Advices from Bloemfontein say that the
town. the capital of the Orange Free State,
presents most animated appearance
Armed burghers go about everywhere, al
though the government still expresses hope
of peace.
y special dispatch from johannesburg
says:
AS natural result Of the panic, there Is
considerable lawlessness. The regular dis
tribution of letters has ceased The gov
eminent has Communicated all dynamite,
and cyanide supplies. which have been re-
moved and placed under strict guard at
various depots. A strong guard has been
stationed at the reservoir to prevent tam
pering with the water
Action of Loyal Irishmen.
An enthusiastic meeting Of Irshmen was
held last evening in Kimberley under the
presidency of former mayor OF the town
at which resolutions were unanimously
adopted expressing disapproval Of the con-
duct OF lrishmen who sympathized with
the Beers and OF the course Of the Irish
parliamentary party in extending sympathy
and support TO the Transvaal in the pres
emit crisis
Intelligence from Cape Town includes an
official denial Of the rumor that the British
have crossed the Transvaal frontier near
kimberley. There is very definite feeling
throughout the Cape that the British DELAY
in forwarding reinforcemsnts is very dan
gerous. The utmost enthusiasm prevails
and many are anxious to place their sery-
Ices at the disposal of the government
Some refugees from Johannesburg now I'm
Cape Town are resorting to acts of vio-
lence. smashing windows and thieving.
II Ii expected that although the Dutch
In Cape Colony are likely to remain o,iiat
In ordinary circumstances. they will ioin
their brethren OF the Orange Free State In
case the Basutos commence hosriIities
1t Is reported that another Rand shipment
OF bullion to the value of $1,000 600 is in
danger Of confiscation by the TransyaaI an
thorittes.
Petition to the Queen
petition to Queen Victoria. signed by
ffty-eight members of the Cape house Of
assembly. has bson forwarded through the