The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-09-21
SEAT OF WAR
Is Likely to Be on the Border
of Natal.
Beers Are Demanding Author
ity to Occupy
STRATEGIC POINTS.
Afrikanders Beseech Dom Paul
to Preserve the Peace.
President of TransVaal Writes
to Queen Victoria.
SAYS "DEAR QUEEN"
Italy Advises the Old Man to
Yield.
War Likely to Begin Without
Any FOrmality.
President of TransVaaI Writes
to Queen Victoria.
SAYS "DEAR QUEEN. -
Italy Advises the Old Man to
Yield.
War Likely to Begin Without
Any FOrmality.

f--
the Boer- commander in chief, is quoted
as saying in an interview:
"The situation is serious Probably
the heaviest fighting would occur on
the Natal border. The British are like
ly to attempt to invade the TransvaaI
by way of the Van Reinans PASS
Urgent messages are reaching the
Raad from members who are demand
ing authority for the boers to mass at
strategic points
PLEA FOR PEACE.
Cape Town, Sept. 21-At a meeting
of the Afrikander members of Darlia-
ment today, Mr.. Neethling presiding,
the following telegram was dispatched
to President Kruger:
I'VE Afrikander members of parlia-
ment thoroughly sympathize with our
Afrikander relatives in their troubles.
While appreciating the concessions al
ready made in the interests of peace,
we beg to urge the expediency of doing
to the utmost short of sacrificing rnde-
pendence. to avert the horrors of war.
While agreeing that joint inquiry pro-
posed by Mr.. Chamberlain can not be
asked as a matter of right. We believe
such a commission viii provide a way
approaching a crisis with results which
might prove fatal not only to the civil
and free state brethren. but also TO
the Afrikander party of Cape Colony
In the presence of immediate danger
and the mOmeEtOus issues awaiting the
decision of your honor. the executive
and the Nolksraad, even the risk of
being misunderstood is of minor I'M
pOrtance. We beg your honor to lay
these words. only dictated by a keen
sense of our common interests and
risks privately before the SecutiVe and
NOlksraad."
The message which was signed by
fifty-three members of parliament, re-
ceived the following reply from Presi-
dent Kruger:
I wish you and other sympathizers
will notice as you have doubtless al
ready seen by the reply of the Imperial
government that we have according to
your desire considered the matter and
accepted the invitation to the joint
commission. Why the acceptance was
delayed is shown by the dispatches pub
lished. 1 wish to thank you and other
friends once from my heart for the
manner in which you have aided our
efforts for a pacific and satisfactory
solution. Finally 1 express the hope
that your work and ours Will not be
fruitless."
The meeting also adopted a resolution
to the effect that it had heard with
satisfaction that the executive of the
Transvaal had accepted the invitation
of the joint inquiry and trusted the ac-
ceptance would render an outbreak of
hostilities practically impossible
ADVISED TO YIELD.
London. Sept. 21.-A special dispatch
from Rome says that the Italian gov
ernment in reply to President Krugers
request for intervention. has advised
him to yield
BOERS ARE READY.
London Sept. 21-The Johannesburg
correspondent of the Morning Post
says:
THE Boer preparations are as com
plete as the government can hope to
make them. 1t is believed that martial
law will be proclaimed today if no re-
ply has been received from England by
that time.
1T is understood that the dispatch
ing of British troops to South Africa
will be regarded as casus belli The
Boer officers are urging the government
to begin hostilities forthwith. 1t is
felt that the Orange Free state can best
be forced to action by a successful mil
itary demonstration on the part of the
Transvaal."
The Cape Town correspondent of the
Daily Mail says;
President Kruger has cabled a strong
personal appeal to the queen, beseech-
ing her to intervene to prevent blood
shed 1t is about q column in length
and is intended to scarify the con
sciences Of the tunco guild" when pub
Ished.
Sir Alfred Miner has wired a cour-
teous message to President Steyn, as
suring him that the nOrthWard march
of the British troops is not meant as d
menace to the Orange Free State and
requesting to be informed regarding the
latter's attitude. Reliable information
has been received here that a large
command of Free State burghers has
been concentrate near Boshof on the
Kimberly border. Two hundred burg
hers We're dispatched to that point from
BlOenfontein during the week past. If
the Free State joins the Transvaal the
first battle is likely to be fought at
BoshOf.
The Cape cabinet has determined to
prOlOng the session of the assembly in
definitely, 50 that it may be sitting
when hostilities begin
According to the Cape Town cores
pondent of the Daily News, President
Kruger in his personal appeal to her
majesty. addressed the monarch as
Dear Queen
London, Sept. 21.-Despite all out
ward show of calm. Great Britain is in
practically the same condition today as
was the United States a few weeks be
fore the opening of the war with Spain.
3eueath the crust of diplomatic reserve /
the military officials are working night
and day, preparing for the signal to be-
gin hostilities, whether that comes Or
not.
England is not going to be caught