Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-09
Citizens of Johannesburg Threatened
b. Lawless Element.
ENGLAND'S VAST WAR PREPARATIONS
Uprising Of Natives and European
Intervention Expected
BOERS AWAITING ATTACK

LONDON. October a-Accoraing to the
latest adv:ces from Johannesburg, the ma
tfvcs who see m t. nave been reinforced by
the lavlcss element. are getting out OF hand
ard anarchy is threatened
The vastness Of Great Britain's military
prepardtiun-seem mingly out of all proper
ton To the wcrr III hand IN South Airioa-
was not fully realized by the public until
the war office announced that Zero re-
serves had already been summoned TO re-
join the colors.
As a matter of fact. Gen. Sir Redv"rs
Butler will have command OF twice as many
British soldiers as TIE 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 ri%ing aud
possibly conviction of the ad1isahility Of
showing Europe that Great Britain is rre-
pared to resent any action resulting from
the prevalent continental ill-Win.
American Goodwill Appreciated.
In this connection. the action Of the
American Department Of State and the
friendly statements Of President NJ kinney
aud Secretary Of StHte Hay published here
are heartily welcomed happy return
for Great Rritain's refusal TO sanction con-
the -nited States AND Spain.
As the Beers tajled to attack Natal when
the colony was vulnerable, 1t is beginning
20 he felt that they are pursuing % delb-
crate policy of waiting for the British pro-
pOSaiS. remaining in the meantime on the
defensive III the hope of thus winning the
sympathes of the world and perhaps the
support Of other nations, and leaving 20
Great Britain the ignominy Of starting hos
tilities.
If they await the advance Of Gen. Sir
R>aVrrs Butler it is conceivable that peace
wGl not be broken during the present year.
Should that prove the case and should the
alleged wastaGe III the Boer commanders
continue. the force confronting the British
comman5ing general Will be neither as
nun.5 rous nor rs efficient as that now en-
CGmped along the Natal border
Events have thus seemed TO shape them-
selves to secure aGnT." pause for cuuSldefa-
tlGn. All tne proposals in the cOrreSN SNOnd-
ence between President Steyn OF the Orange
Free State and Sir Alfred Milner. British
high commissioner in South Africa, show
that the negotiations We're proceeding Up
to October 8. and that neither GespaiTeI of
peace, Sir fred Miner saving he sure
any reasonable proposal would be favora-
bly, considered by the British government.
President Steyn's Proposal Favored.
President Steyn's virtual pI oposal Of
neutral zone TO he created pending further
attempts at cUnciliation, meets with con-
siderable approval.
4 rumor is current that political interest
of the situation may shortly Increase. as
il is alleged that the managers of the union
is party in Great Britain are strongly urg-
Ing the government to dissolve parliament
after the necessary credit is voted aud to
Eo to the electorate in parliamentary
general election upon the broad issue of
the go, einneHts policy in South Africa.
The yea! intentions of the premier the
Marquis Of Salisbury, may be expected
To develop shortly. As at present arranged
the work of the session, which will begin
October Il, Will consist of the queens
Speech. dealing exclusively With the South
African question; the voting OF The credit,
and the passage of appropriation bill.
This Will occupy three weeks.
The legislative plans of the government
will not be ,ii.- std until parliament meets
again In February, and no private bills
will be allowed to be introduced.
Owing TO the drain on the military re-
sources, all colonial reiiefs have been stop
pee for year
The secretary of state for the colonies,
Ny Joseph Chamber ain, returned TO Lon
. don Jhis morning.
From the continent comes an unconfirm-
ca report that preparations are being made
for an organized attack upon the mines by
natives, and the destruction of the plants
a report IS IN circulation here of an or
ganizatipn of a corps of volunteers to stil
the burShers, but 1t lacks confirmation