Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-27
GLOOM AT THE CAPE
General Belief That the Beers VIII
Not Rscede.
WAR STILL SEEMS INEVITABLE
Reply to ChamberIain's Latest Note
Will Be Drafted Today.
BURGHERs TOLD TO BE READY

LONDON, September 27.-The TranSvaal
situation remains unchanged though. if
anything, the feeling of gloom has deep
ened. Cablegrams from Pretoria and Cape
Town show that the general impression
prevails there that the Beers will not re-
cede from their position, and that the feel
ing of unrest at Pretoria has been intensi-
fled. A dispatch today announces that the
Transvaal government has begun to ap-
point officers to go to the front in case of
hostilites.
| The CIrrie Line has just received an or
der from the admiralty to prepare the
Braemar Castle of that line to sail for the
Cape October & with ], 400 officers and men,
This is an entirely fresh batch of troops,
and the composition of it is unknown.
The Currie Line has been compelled to
cancel its passenger list, which was made
up, and workmen have been sent to trans
form the Braemer Castle into transport
In spite of these warlike preparations
South African circles in London believe
there will be no war. and that the Beers
will finally concede the British demands.
The executive council of the Transvaal
had prolonged sitting yesterday and has
been in constant telegraphic communica ton
with the Orange Free State. No dec son it
is now said, regarding the attitude of the
Free State has yet been reached.
The Transvaals 5 reply to the dispatch of
the secretary of state for the colonies, Mr.
Chamberlain will be drafted to4ay and
submitted to the raad In secret session
The members appear convinced that Great
Britain is determined on war. Being
anxious to not force Great Britain's hand
the Beers will not take any definite steps
until the draft of their reply is considered
but notice has been issued to the burghers
fn no in for
which commences shortly. A quantity of
arms chiefly Martini rifles, have been dis
tributed.
The Orange Free State raad continues in
secret session.
Americans to Aid the BOcrs.
a telegram from Johannesburg says an
American named AXE is raising an
American corps of 500 men for the Beers.
On the Cape side the dispatches show
great military activity in the direction of
the frontier. The camp at Dundee now
consists of two regiments of infantry, a
hussar regiment, two field batteries, one
mountain battery and detachment of en-
gineers.
The Kings Rifles are now encamped at
Ladysmith and the 9TH Lancers are ar
irving there
The authorities have been unable to over
come the trouble with the Cape drivers,
who refuse to accompany the mountain
batteries To the front from Ladysmiuh,
which is one of the bases of operation.
An armored train hurriedly completed
Cape Town left there at midnight for Lady
smith 1t consists of powerful engine
and tender and three 20-lon cars. The
whole outfit is painted a khaki color, is
loop-hoed for rifles and machine gun
and is capable of carrying 120 men.
The Eechuanaland border is closely pa
trolled day and night. Most of the Brit
Natal and the northern part of the Trans
vaal, whitner, it is announced, commands
OF 80 burghers will shortly proceed.
Beers Buying Supplies.
1t is reported that Boer agents have made
large purchases of grain at Durham.
The Inhabitants of several townships on
the frontier have appealed to Sir Alfred
Miner, the British high commissioner in
South Africa, to send them military pro-
lection.
A dispatch to the Pail Mall Gazette from
Cape Town reports evidences of unrest
among the GriquaS and Pondos and a sec
ton of the Bechuanaland Matabees. 1t is
feared they Will revolt in the event CT war.
The war office has ordered the whole
transport and supply for army corps TO
prepare to proceed to the cape This is a
very important order and implies the early
dispatch of an army corps.
The men Of Twenty-Five companies are be
ing medically examined at Aidershot today.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, September 27.-It
has tIanspired here that the government is
ordeavoring to negotiate, by cable, char
ters for steamers to convey white troops
and a number of mules hence to South