Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-10-10
WILL NOT HURRY.
British Will. Give the Beers
Time to Consider
All Their Demands Before They Take
Any lrreyocabIe Step.
Gen. Butler Will Have Twice as Many Men
as Wellington Had.

London, Oct. 9-The Duke Of Devon
shire, lord president Of the council Of
ministers, speaking at Sheffield, today,
said that the deductions made from his
recent speech at Manchester regard
ing the Transvaal situation had
warned him that a member of the gov
eminent could not be too careful,
Matters have not become more criti-
cal during the last few days." re-
marked the duke" and I trust this in.
terval for reflection may conduce to
q pacific settlement"
His grace added, however, that he
was afraid the only hopeful sign was
the fact that the government of the
South African republic did not appear
inclined to precipitate any acts OF ag-
gression upon British territory, such
as their previous preparations led the
British government to anticipate ar
within the possibilities. No doubt the
longer such an attempt should be de-
layed the less would be the probability
of even a temporary success.
Although the government does not
consider it right" said his grace, ito
relax any measures deemed necessary
and although preparations for the pos
sible campaign are still in full progress
| think | may say that the country
may rest assured that no irrevocable
step will be taken until the Transvaal
has received and has had full oppor-
tunity to consider those demands
which the British government consider
necessary to protect the rights of their
fellow citizens and to safeguard Brit
Sh interests in South Africa.
In these circumstances there is a
chance-perhaps only a remote chance
that wiser counsels than have
hitherto prevailed may assert them
selves. ! don't complain of the
speeches of Independent politicians, al
though it may be doubted that such
utterances tend to peace; but a differ
ent kind of responsibility rests upon
those directly connected with the gov
eminent. Though l do not regret any
thing | said on a former occasion,
when dealing with this question, yet
the handle which that speech has given
to certain irresponsible negotiators to
open communications on their own ac-
count has warned me that at the pres
ent time a member Of the government
cannot be too careful of what he says,
and that the wisest thing, perhaps, is
to abstain even from good words.
There is no reason, in my opinion
to apprehend that matters have as
sumed Il more critical stage; and trust
that the interval for reflection may
conduce to a settlement which all the
arguments and persuasion hitherto
employed have been unable to effect
The Duke of Devonshire, referring to
the attempt that had been made to
deduce from my speech at Manchester
some indication of differences of tend
ency if not of opinion and policy be-
tween members of the cabinet" said
that such differences inferred had no
existence whatever.
The vastness of Great Britain's MILL
tary parations-seemingly out of all
proportion to the work in hand in
South Africa-was not fully realized by
the public until the war office an
nounced that $4,000 reserves had al
ready been summoned to rejoin the
colorS. AS matter of fact, General
Sir Redvers Butler will have command
of twice as many British soldiers as the
Duke of Wellington, the conqueror of
the first Napoleon, ever saw collected
on one battlefield.
The reasons back of this lavish display
are probably a fear of a native rising
and possibly conviction of the advisa-
bility of showing Europe that Great
Britain is prepared to resent any action
resulting from the prevalent continent
tai ill-will. In this connection the ac-
ton of the American department Of
state and the friendly statements Of
President Mckinley and Secretary of
State Hay published here. are heartily
welcomed as a happy return for Great
refusal to sanction continental
intervention in the war between the
United States and Spain.
AS the Beers failed to attack Natal
when the colony was vulnerable. it is
to be felt that they are pur-
suing a deliberate policy OF waiting for
the British proposals. remaining in the
meantime on the defensive. in the hope
of thus winning the sympathy Of the
world and perhaps the support of other
and leaving to Great Britain
the ignominy of starting hostilities.
If they await the advance of General
Sir Redvers Butler, it is conceivable
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