The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-31

viii OF our American cousins"
ON THE.wESTERN BORDER
London, Oct. 3a.-The latest news from
the western border has apparently re-
assured the British authorities as TO the
ability OF Mafsking and Kimberly to
Withstand assault \ dispatch from Fort
Tuii, forwarded the evening OF October
"a. announces that Blackburn's force, IN
the skirmish az Rhodes Drift, killed
twelve Beers. A Kaftir spy reported t7al
many more Beers were lying in the drsft
dying. Blackburn died of his wounds on
returning 10 Fort Tun. Scouts there re-
port that the Beers are concentrating
strongly on the Rhodesian border With
Maxims
A war Office dispatch from Cape Town
dated October Is says: An armnred
train under Llewellyn got within 1900
yards OF the Boer lager. three miles
south OF Crocodile Port. The Beers had
driven IN their horses on the approach
OF the train. The Maxiras were dis
charged into the Beers, who must have
had considerable loss. Colonel PIumer's
outpost has had seevrai skirmishes on the
Crocodile river"
From later advices Il was learned that
the Llewellyn train returned 10 Ncchudi
loo miles north OF Mafeking LIewelIyn
reports all quiet.
A GREAT FINANCIFR-S VIEW
New York. Oct. SO-Henry Cicws. the
financial expert. in his weekly review Of
the financial situation. saws. concerning
the rumors Of European interference;
The situation introduced by the Anglo
Boer war IS still far from exempt from
adverse possibilities that may need con-
slant watehfulGess at this center. There
is little question about England's abu-
ity TO finance the war without occasion
Of much disturbance 10 her market and
her investments, nor can there be see
ond opinion about her bringing the strug-
gle TO a speedy close when al her forces
have been landed at the scene Of con-
fiict Apprehension. however. is now turn
ing in quite different direction. The
question is whether the long standing
continental jealousy against Britain's
imperial power may not lead to a con-
spiracy, notably between Russia ana
France, for checkmating. English progress.
Although there is much talk in Europe
on this possibility and the air Is fun OF
ton by those two governments, vet there
is perhaps more surm!se than purpose IL
the matter The event would be much
more likely if the position Of the dual
powers were as favorable to such a ven
ture as their disposition undoubtedly S.
1t may be taken for granted that such
a quarrel. II undertaken. would develop
into great European struggle and there
are apparently insuperabe reasons why
neither Russia nor France should assume
such momentous responsibilities Russia
is in sharp financial straits and IS likely
to remain so until her Siberian railroad
is completed and her position IN Man
churia is consolidated. She could not
offer defiance to England's navy without
imperilIing all she has won and all she
is planning for in China and the northern
Pacific She knows better than 10 expose
her great immature schemes in eastern
China to the overhauling Of the open-door
powers in a possible concert between
them. France would not take the risk
of a struggle that would In ali probability
close the doors of her great exposition
and bring popular displeasure on the gov
eminent for running that splendid dis
play of French enterprise. In the absence
OF any special reasons for Intervention,
with so mouy arguments OF convenience
against It, and with the possibility OF both
powers coming out on the wrong side after
a life-and-death struggle, 1t seems incred-
ibie that either OF these powers should
commit the folly attributed TO them by
current rumor." d.
Pagardfne tho nrohabIe length and what
h considers the certain result Of the war.
together with the bearing OF the Rand
gold output upon the worlds financial wei
fare. Mr. Clews says: "a courageous
prophet would perhaps take little risk
in predicting that, six months hence, the
Transvaal war will be out OF the way ana
assigned to its shelf IN history. When /
thstBoers cease TO bore the British, which /
will be the case after they get one good
General Butler whipping. the cruel war /
will about end. and then the South Afr +
can gold mines will renew their fOw o.
gold TO London. These mines are good
hereafter for 100000 OF gold per anngm
which IS one-third Of the worlds output.
Nothing Will help good investment and
active speculative stocks 10 advance more /
than for large amounts Of the precious I
metal TO pour into London or New York I.
from outside sections Of the world u the /
African mines produce at the rate Of sio9
600 coo this year. which they can sssiiy .
do upon the return Of peace, 81 VIII make 1
the worlds outpu, 800 ep0.0oo--the larges .
on record. This IS the strongest, safest (
and most legitimate basis Tor the inda- (
ton OF values shat IS possible.