The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-10-06
NOT ANXIOUS FOR WAR
Neither Side Willing to Psscipitate
Anglo-Transvaal Conflict.
COUNT. MURAvIEfF's MISSION.


Europe Wondering why Russia's For.
eiGn MinisterVisits Spain and France
at This Juncture-He May he Urging
European Interference.
London, Oct 6.-While there Is no
diminution In the flood of dispatches
from South Africa, recording with al
most tiresome iteration the military
preparations and movements Of both
sides, with all kinds of accurate and
inaccurate rumors and speculations.
the real situation remains unchanged.
It Is evident that strong efforts are
still being made to preserve peace,
simultaneously with determined energy
to be prepared for any emergency.
1t is expected that 5000 reserves will
be called out today and that an army
corps will be modified on the 18th or
the goth Of this month.
In the meantime It Ia interesting to
note that neither side shows anxiety
to precipitate q conflict, but is
rather inclined to give opportunity for
the play of peace influences.
The mysterious visit Of Count Mura-
Wen, the Russian minister Of foreign
affairs, to San Sebastian, where he saw
the queen regent and the king Of Spain
and had long conferences with Senior
Silveia, the Spanish premier, occupies
political minds. From Spain Count
Muravief will 90 to Paris.
Russia's attitude in the Transvaal
matter is common knowledge. Ger
many is officially neutral, but EN-
peror Williams famous telegram to
President Kruger ia not forgotten, and
this, added to frances bitterness since
the Fashoda affair and SPANS resent
ment Of Englands attitude during the
characterization war, sets the peo-
pie asking what the motives for Count
Muravieffs tour are.
The lingo press pooh poohs the idea
of European interference, but in the
same breath eagerly seizes upon any
incident such as the Americas cup
races, to insist on the growing Anglo
American friendship.
The Daily Telegraph's dispatch an
nouncinE that the Beers had invaded
Natal and seized Laings Mex now
seems to be without foundation. The
government has received nothing to
Justify the report, although such a
move on the part of the Beers would
naturally cause little surprise.
The British position in Natal was
considerably strengthened by the ar
rival yesterday of Indian transports
with achievements Of about $500
infantry, cavalry and artillery, all of
which will be promptly sent to the
front by train, and with their arrival at
C'encove and Ladysmith today or to-
morrow the British advanced camps
and lines of Communication will be
practically safeguarded against the
risk of successful dash across the
frontier by the Beers.
The military authorities apparently
no longer fear the massing Of the
Beers along the border, and in fact
1t has been provided that Beers shall
not make sudden invasion in the
territory. The Natal authorities are
rather pleased with this, because they
argue the tension of waiting will tell
severely on the Beers discipline, and
moreover they will soon exhaust what
little forage there is near the border
and be compelled to fall back on their
base, because. In view Of the defective
commissariat, they are unwilling to
advance into Natal, leaving behind
them forageless veldt.
The correspondent of The Standard
at Beaufort. West Rand, says that
fugitives who have arrived there re-
port that 40 tons of dynamite have
been laid down for the destruction Of
the railway bridge over the Orange
river at Nobals Point, a frontier sta
ton between Cape Colony and the Free
State.
Advices from Johannesburg report
that Kafirs are raiding the business
places and houses in the East Rand.
The whites have fred on them. A
special force of police has been dis
patched to dispense the raiders.
A special dispatch from Pretoria says
that President Kruger expresses him
self strongly at being prevented by the
executive from going to the front. He
is reported tC have said: Some peO-
pie say I am the cause of the present
trouble, and I want to take my share
of fighting with my people" The
same dispatch announces that Com
mandant General Joubert's wife has
started to Join her husband on the
border.
The Cape Town correspondent of
The Daily Chronicle furnishes little
further light upon the obscurity of
the movements Of Mr. Hofmeyr. the
Afrikan leader. The correspondent
admits that the report Of conference
between Mr.. Hofmeyr and Sir Alfred
Miner on Tuesday and the departure
of Mr.. Hofmeyr was premature, but
says the conference actually occurred
on Wednesday and 1t is believed that
no direct result was attained.
1.-THE Rhodesians," continues the
correspondent, "are spreading the re-
port that Mr.. Hofmeyr is unwilling
to attempt a settlement. but this is
inaccurate. He is far from we'll, but
is anxious to mediate.
The Pietermaritzburg correspondent
OF The Times confirms the report that
enough Indian troops have arrived to
make the military situation secure, and
says tho authorities desire that fur
Their news regarding military move
ments should be suppressed
A dispatch from VOlksrust says: A
council of war was held Wednesday. |
Commandant General Joubert presided
and all the commandments of the diff |
ferent commands we're present. The
conference was short and indecisive.
1t Is understood that no move will be |
made for a couple Of days. Most of |
the British residents have gone to |
Natal