The San Francisco call., 1899-09-30

LONDON, Sept. 30.-The correspond
ent of the Morning Post at Johannes
burg sends the following: A Govern
ment official who has just returned from
Pretoria, where he saw President Kru-
ger, assures me that martial law will
be proclaimed to-day or Monday next.
Owing TO the reticence of Ministers
there are various stories current to-
day. 1t is asserted with some show OF
authority that the dispatches received
necessitate further communication with
Sir Alfred Miner and the reassembhng
of the Cabinet next Tuesday before the
new proposals of the British Govern
ment can be definitely settled.
Officers at Woolwich this evening be-
lieve that an army corps will be started
for South Africa about October with
General Sir Redvers Butler.
There appears to be unusual excite
ment in the Admiralty Department.
George ]. Goschen, First Lord of
the Admiralty, was busily engaged
there for the greater part Of the day
1t is rumored that unexpected compll-
cations have arisen and that extensive
preparations are to be made 10 guard
against contingencies.
The meeting of the British Cabinet,
on whose deliberations practically
hangs war or peace in South Africa,
began at l o'clock this morning. Presl-
dent Kruger's reply to the last note of
the imperial Government was the pivot
of the days discussion.
The Cabinet adjourned at 3:15 p. m.
The Ministers were heartily cheered by
the waiting crowds.
Poll Mall Gazette saws il under
stands that Mr.. Chamberlain submitted
q dispatch containing the following de-
mands on the Transvaal:
l. Five years franchise qualification
without hampering conditions
?. Municipal selt-government at JONAH
neSburg on u freely elected basis.
s. The separation of the judicature from
the executive and its independence of
Nulksraad.
). The removal Of the fort dominating
johannesburg, though the defenses at
6. The teaching Of the English Ian
guage in the schools.
An official of the Foreign Office this
evening told a representative Of the AS
sociated Press that the Cabinet in the
absence of the Transvaals 5 reply, had
agreed to draft dispatch formulating
its own proposals, which will be COM
municated to the Transvaal Govern
ment in a few days. Parliament will
be called shortly to consider the situa-
ton. The Government declines to fur
nish exact information at present re-
garding the military movements.
Indications this evening Lead to the
belief that in view of the Cabinet meet
ing the Beers will probably commit an
overt act which will bring on hostili-
ties before the assembling of Parlia-
ment. All the latest dispatches from
the Transvaal show the liVeliest activ-
ity on the part of the burghers. Tele-
grams from Pretoria announce that ar
tillery is being rapidly loaded at the
station for the front, and that mill
tary trains have preference on all lines.
The Cape mail is delayed in conse-
uuence of the large amount Of rolling
stock reserved for the forces.
A large number of burghers left
Yesterday for the Natal border and
another for Middleburg. Detachments
of cyclists are being distributed among
the different commanders. 1t is under
stood that the first contingent Of the
Pretoria force will leave for the east
ern border tomorrow
Commanding General Joubert yester-
day addressed a crowd of burghers at
the Pretoria station. His remarks