Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-26
November ON
Boer Preparations for
South Africa War

Writing to the Independent under date of
Johannesburg on the preparation of the
Beers for their war an American resident
there says:
Two weeks ago ! wrote that the reply
of the Transvaal government meant war,
Since then nothing has happened to lessen
the probabilities, but on the contrary
events seem rushing forward to that awful
catastrophe. The Free State raad has met
and after protracted secret session has
voted without one dissentient voice" that
come what would they cast in their lot
with the South african republic. This ac-
tion was expected and surprises no one
-Four days ago was published in the Gov
ernment Gazette statement preparing the
public for martial law when it should be
proclaimed This was followed two days
after by proclamation suspending the
civil courts and martial law is now expected
tomorrow or next day. Today's mail will
probably be the las. to leave johannesburg
FOR weeks, perhaps months. All the uit-
lander newspapers are expected to be sus-
pended and no news except such as has
filtered through the government censorship
will be allowed to reach the public. We
shall be i'm the position of those who are
in the midst of the conflict and know less
about it than those at a distance.
1.-The last week has witnessed a general
calling out of the burghers and their de-
parture TO the eastern and western from
tiers. One cannot withhold tribute of
praise to this people at the way they have
sprung to arms and dare to meet in battle
array the might of Britain's empire There
has been no inspiring music of fife and drum,
no stirring addresses. None of these things
were needed. When notice was given that
arms would be given out all day long the
burghers were waiting eager to obtain the
coveted "Mauser." On Wednesday night
last week came the first rain after months
without drop The Beers have been wait
ing for this, prolonging negotiations for it,
for without water and grass they could not
move. Wednesday night came a general
downpour and Thursday most active COM
Wandering began. The burghers already
had their guns, but horse and saddle
and bride were as necessary as gun.
Horses, mules, wagons, saddles, harnesses
were seized ait sight. BY law any citizen
can be called upon to furnish G37 los for
war purposes. Wherever articles taken
were worth more than this a receipt was
given for the amount and these receipts may
be honored some time-perhaps. / was told
the other day by British subject that he
had six horses taken at the time of the
Jameson raid. He obtained receipts and
still has them. When presented for pay
ment he was told the horses were dead. How
could he expect them to pay for dead
horses? Some queer things happen during
this Communicating. The field cornet has
power and may commander
whom and where he pleases. Cabs in the
streets carrying passengers may be stopped
and the horses and harnesses taken and
the cabs left. A lady who was driving her
carriage in johannesburg was thus stopped,
her pony taken and the carriage left in the
streets.
"For months there had been a steady ex-
odus of people from Johannesburg. When
two weeks ago nearly all hope of peace
ful settlement was abandoned the exodus
increased and from 900 ITO 1000 people per
lay have been leaving. But when active
began there was a rush to
get away. On Friday the government COM
nandeered the railway, which meant that
LII trains must give way to government de-
nands for shipping armed burghers, NUM-
ions of war, horses, wagons, ETC., to the
rOnt All this increased the desire to get
lway on the part of those who have been
waiting till the last moment to leave. At