The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-10-12
THE TRANsvAAL ULTIMATUM
The war Cloud Darkening


London, Oct 20 War between
Great Britain aud the s h African
or Transvall Republic now seems prac
tically inevitable
The Transvaal Government has sud.
denly precipita;ed the crisis by send
ing to Great Britain an ultimatum.
the text Of which is in part AS fol
lows:
Her Majesiy's unlawful interven-
tion In the internal all iirs Of this Re
public. in conflict with the London
convention Of 1884 by the extraordi-
nary strengthening of her troops in The
neighborhOod Of the borders Of this Re
public. has caused an intolerable con-
dition Of things 10 arise. 10 which this
government feels itself obliged to, in
the interest not only Of this Republic,
but also Of all South Africa. TO make
an end IA soon as possible. and this
Government feels itself called upon
aud Obliged to press earnestly, and
with emphasis. for an immediate ter
mination Of this state Of things, and to
request her Maj sstys Government 10
give assurances upon the following
four demands
-FOUR DEMANDS PRESENTED
81 That all points Of mutual differ
ence be regulated by friendly recourse
to arbitration or by whatever amicable
way may be agreed upon by this Gov
eminent and her Majesty's Govern
ment
- That all troops on the borders
Of this Republic shall be instantly
Withdrawn
% That all the reenf0rcements Of
troops which have arrived in South
Africa since June 1 1899, shall be- re.
moved from South Africa within a
reasonable time. q be agreed upon
with this Government aud with the
mutual assurance and guarantee on the
part Of this Government thar no at.
tack upon or hOstilitles against any
portions 81 the possessions Of the BRIT
ish Government shall be made by
this Republic during the further negO-
tistions within a period Of time u be
subsequently agreed upon between the
governments and tins Government
viii on compliance herewith. bee pre-
pared u Withdraw the armed burghers
4 this Republic from the borders
a That her Majesty's troops which
are now on the high seas shall not be
landed in any part Of South Africa
This Government presses tor An
immediate and Affirmative answer 10
these four questions, and earnestly re
quests her Majesty's Government to re-
turn an answer before or upon Wed
nesday. October II. 1899. not later
than O'Clock p. m
1t desires further ~ add that in the
unexpected event Of an answer not
satisfactory being received by il with
In the interval. 1t will with great re-
gret be compelled 3 regard the action
Of her Majssty's Government az a
formal declaration Of war. aud will
not hold itself responsible for the con-
sequences thereof. and that. in the
event # any further movement Of
troops occurring within the above.
mentioned time In nearer direction
T. our borders. this Government will
be compelled to regard that also as a
formal declaration Of war.
Il have the hosor to be, respectfully
yours. f. W Reiiz Secretary
Another note sent by the Trausvaal
Government to Grea, Britain contains
a defense Of she TrAnsyaal position
A short and dignifed reply ia said
= have been communicated TO Oonyng-
ham Green, British diplomatic agent
at Pretoria, by Sir Alfred Milner. Brit
ism High Commissioner in South
Africa. to be handed to the Beer Gov
eminent today.
In London there IL no sign Of Yield
ing 70 the demands War is regarded
as inevitable The way feeling Ia
London was shown by wild demon
srration in honor Of the New South
Wales Lancers, who passed through
the city on their way to South Africa.
II is reported that Great Britain has
bought from Portugal Delagoa Bay and
surrounding territory, which has been
the Transvaals only outlet 10 the sea
not controlled by Britain.