Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-20
NO FALSE STEPS.
England Going Slowly in the
TransvaaI Matter.
C,binet Council for Friday, but Troops
Move On for the Cape.
Pretoria Press Still Asserts That An Agree
ment May Be Reached.

London, Sept. 19.-Summonscs were
issued, late this afternoon, for cabi-
net council, which. it is understood,
vii be held. Friday. This is regarded
as the result Of the visit of the premier.
Lord Salisbury, to London, where he
arrived. this afternoon. remaining ut
the foreign Office from 40 to $50 MI
Joseph Chamberlain. the secretary Of
state for the colonies, was present IN
the building at the same time. and as
a private doorway connects the offices,
it is pr sumo that the summonses We're
the result of their joint de!:beration.
The lack Of all excitement in official
circles bears evidence Of the deliberate
manner in which the highest officials
are handling the crisis. Nor is it by
any means certain that the cabinet
council will adopt extreme measures,
in spite Of the uncompromiSing nature
of the Boer reply. This dcliberation on
the part of the government is interprc-
ted not only in London. but in other
European capitals. as a desire on the
part Of Great Britain to gain time
while the transport are hurryinS to
Cape Colony.
In the meantime the movement of
troops proceeds. The Royal West Sus-
sex Regiment left. today. for Malta,
where it will replace the LIST Border
Regiment. which will go by the same
steamer to Natal.
IT is announced. this evening. that
the British fir5t-class cruisers Terrible
and Powerful have both been ordered
to the Cape. They have reliefs on
board capable Of forming a naval bri-
gadc of 1000 men.
There was an unverilied cape Town
rumor, today. that the Beers have de
livered another message to the British
high ambassador. Sir Alfred Miner,
more conciliatory than yesterdays re-
ply. The rumor. however, fails to OBJ
tain much credence and is not taken as
in any way mitigating the seriousness
Of ". crisis. The Outlander press sees
not ..- nut war ahead ana urges the
Outlandcrs to leave Immediately.
The London press is HOW inclined To
take the View that the recent action on
the part ~ the Beers does not make a
war a certainty though it does place
the British cabinet in 4 position where
it must take steps 50 aggressive that
war or utter ignominious submission
VIII bc tho only alternative remaining
10 the Transvaal. ana Is by no means
50 persistent in urging the government
to move hastily, except IN the matter
Of hurrying troops to the probable
scene Of action.
The Pail Mall Gazette prints d dis
patch from cape Town which says:
The general impression il that the
Beers will at once take the initiative
and an attack is expected At any hour"
Troops continue To leave Cape Town
for Kimberly ana the north ana The
first class cruiser Terrible sailing from
Portsmouth for China. today. is re-
ported to have been ordered to 90 hy
way Of cape Town instead Of Suck
The steamer Jelunga will take 800
troops bound for Natal. tomorrow. ana
she will embark a rifle brigade ut the
island of CRETE for the cape.
According 10 a dispatch from Dur
ban. Natal, the premier Of the colony
says that the alarm Of the people Of
Natal at the unprotected conditions If
tn" border towns is quite unwarrantcd
and that all efforts to incitc the Zulus
have failed.