Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-10-11


with the following:
Her Majesty's unlawful interyen-
ton in the internal affairs of this re-
public, in conflict with the London con-
vention of 1884, by the extraordinary
strengthening of her troops in the
neiChborhood of the borders of this re-
public, has caused an intolerable con-
dition of things to arise which this gov
eminent feels itself obliged in the in
terest, not only of this republic, but
also of all South Africa, to make an
end as soon as possible; and this gov
eminent feels itself called upon and
obliged to press earnestly and with
emphasis for an immediate termination
of this state of things and to request
Her Majesty's government to give as
surances upon the following four de-
mands:
''First-That all points of mutual diff
ference be regulated by friendly re-
course to arbitration or by whatever
amicable way may be agreed upon by
this government and Her Maiesty's
government
'Second-That all troops on the bor-
ders of this republic shall be instantly
withdrawn.
''Third-That all achievements of
troops which have arrived in South
Africa since June /, 1899, shall be re-
moved from South Africa within a rea-
sonaible time to be agreed upon with
this government and with the mutual
assurance and guarantee on the part of
this government that no attack upon
or hostilities against any portion of the
possessions of the British government
shall be made by this republic during
the further negotiations, within a per-
iod of time to be subsequently agreed
upon between the governments; and
this government will, on compliance
therein be prepared to withdraw the
armed Burghers of this republic from
the borders.
'Fourth-That Her Majesty's troops
which are now in the high seas shall
not be landed in any part Of South
Africa"
To these demands is appended the
definition of the time limit for reply:
This government presses for an inn
mediate and affirmative answer to these
four questions and earnestly requests
Her Majesty's government to return an
answer before or upon Wednesday,
October II, 1899, and not later than
o'clock p. m.
1T desires further to add that in
the unexpected event of an answer not
satisfactory being received by it within
the interval. it will with great regret
be compelled to regard the action of
Her Majesty s government as a formal
declaration of war. and will not hold
itself responsible for the consequences
thereof, and that, in the event of any
further movement of troops occurring
within the aforementioned time in
nearer direction to our border, this gov
eminent will be compelled to regard
that also as a formal declaration of
war
4 have the honor TO be, respectfully
yours,
(Signed) "F.W. REITZ,
state Secretary"
The ultimatum is naturally the abb
sorbing topic tonight and the late ed
itions of the afternoon papers contain
ing the text Of the ultimatum, met with
a good sale in the central parts Of Lon
don, the newsboys doing a thriving
trade on the closing Of theatres. There
was no apparent excitement, however,
but a general feeling was expressed
that the Beers had made a mistake as
their forcing matters would tend to ALI
enate the sympathy which might have
been extended to them had they thrown
the stigma Of declaring war on Great
Britain.
The text of the Boer ultimatum on
arriving this morning was sent with
all speed to Lord Salisbury, who came
to town this afternoon and a dispatch
box was sent to the Prince OF Wales.
which is only done in cases OF especial
urgency.
The Portuguese minister to Great
Britain, Senior Several called at the
foreign Office this afternoon and had
an interview with Lord Salisbury and
his visit is naturally connected In the
public mind with the alleged purchase
by Great Britain OF Delagoa bay. A
dispatch tending to confirm the report
Of this purchase comes from Lourenzo
Marques II states that the British
third class cruiser Philomel is anchor
ed fifteen miles of the port and Is
supposed to be Waking the arrival Of