The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-11-15
CAPTURED OFFICERS DANGER,
May Be Hanged Unless Boer Spy at
Ladysmith Is Released

London Nov 14-Nothing is known
either at the war office or the colonial
Office here regarding the alleged official
statement cabled from Cape Town, say
ing State Secretary Reitz, in behalf of
the Transvaal government has de-
manded that General White immediate
~ release Nathan Marks, supposed
spy, who is confined at Ladysmith, the
dispatch adding that President Kruger
threatens, if Marks is executed, to re-
1aliate by shooting six British officers
in the hands of the Beers.
Ii is further asserted from Cape
Town that Marks entered Ladysmith
after the investment of that place with
the supposed object of obtaining infor-
NATION for the Beers. and one version
of the story is that the Transvaal au-
--,.sorities have threatened TO execute six
British officers if the supposed spy is
not released, TO which General Butler
is said to have replied that the British
were entitled to retain the man until he
should render satisfactory account of
himself.
Both stories, it is asserted. bear the
imprint of improba bility, as there is no
reason TO think the Beers would be
guilty of such a complete change from
their previous correct attitude and
manner in conducting the hostilities.
Nevertheless, the sensational afternoon
IlCN 5RdDtES mere are alISdQN
that President Kruger and all the men,
bers of the executive council be ruth
1essly hanged, as the only fitting repri
sal in the event of State Secretary
Reitz's threat being carried out.
That General Whites relief is con-
sidered a matter of pressing impor-
tance is again evidenced by the salts
faction with which the officials heard of
the arrival of the transport Armenian
at Cape Town yesterday, a couple OF
days before her time. The non-arrival
of her precious freight of field guns
and ammunition threatened serious de-
lay IL General Metheun's arrangements
for the relies of General White.
The division still lacks cavalry, but in
all probability the first arrival of that
arm a Cape Town will be sent to Dur
ban, irrespective Of which division they
We're originally assigned to. There is
no doubt that the bombardment OF
Ladysmith has increased in intensity
during the last few days, and though
all messages from there speak of the
confidence of the defenders, load of
anxiety will be removed from the
country when unrestrained communica-
tion with the beleaguered town is re-
established.
The allegations of Father Matthews
have made a painful impression. and
there is a disposition to discredit them
as being merely the excited view of a
non-combatant ignorant OF real mill
tary requirements. Nevertheless, his
story has added immensely to the anx-
iety of those 7ho had relatives at the
battle of Nichoi5en's Mex as a result
of the dishonoring exposure.
Considerable feeling has been aroused
by the announcement that Sir William
Butler, former commander at the Cane
viii not command the troops on the
occasion of the queens visit to Bristol
tomorrow As General Butler COM
nands the western district his absence
from the ceremony is remarkable. and
is attributed to fears Of a hostile DEM
onstration, owing TO his unpopular at
titude with reference to the Trans
caai.
1t is reported officials at Cape Town
are now stopping ali official foreign tel
egrams. whether in code or otherwise.
except messages TO the governor of
Portuguese East Africa and Portugal.
Later in the day the Eastern Tele-
graph company formally announced
that in accordance with instructions of
the postmaster general of Cape Colony.
no foreign official dispatches, either in
secret code or cipher, can be transmit
ted VIA the Cape except messages be-
tween Portugal and the governor gen
eral of Lourenzo Marquee.