Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-10-12
A Portion Of His Troops Crossed
the Border Yesterday.
BATTLE EXPECTED
All EntionalItics In south Africa VIII
Fight For tho Tr"nsvanl-A shnrp
Corrcspondcnce-Th consul Gem
eral OF tno Republic, ReaIIztng
That All Hope of Pence Has Conc,
Lonvrs London for tho Contincnl.
(By Telegraph to vlrginian- Pllot.)

(By Telegraph to V!rginfan Pllot.)
London, Oct. 11.-1l:15 d. NIP to
the present hour no dispatches have
expiration of the ultima tum, so 1t is
not yet known whether the first shot
has been fired.
a telegram from Pretoria, timed 1880
yesterday evening says:
'rhc situation is becoming more crit
zeal hourly. Numerous Americans. Ger
mans, Frenchmen, Swedes, Belglans,
Norwcgians, Danes. Italians, Dutch
men, Swiss and Cape Africanders have
gone to The border to fight for the
Transvaal, although they are not
burShers, while many British residents
S also have taken the oath Of allegiance.
The hope is expressed by many that
war will yet be nverted."
Nothing since this has been received
from Pretoria and doubtless telegra phic
communication with the TrAnsvn;tl Is
now cut.
The absence of news from the Cape
since early morning is not due TO an
interruption of the cable, but to the
immense pressure of work. the, cables
being probably nearly monopoliZed by
British government dispatches. which
take precedence of all others. Only two
cables run to Cape Town from Europe,
and the one on the eastern coast is
very slow, so that practically all the
work Is thrown on one Atlantic cable,
which means that the present exas-
perating delay will recur repeatedly
during the progress OF the war, and
that the newspaper dispatches will
probably be very meager.
ON a WAR FOOTING.
Further particulars regarding the COR
respondence between President Stcyn,
OF the Orange Free State, and Sir AL
fred Miner, Governor of Cape Colony
and British high commissioner in South
Africa, cablcd from 13loembontein, show
that Sir Alfred on October z stated that
the Imperial Government was reconsld-
cring the situation In view OF the grave
fact that both the republics were on a
war footing, and was even then prepnr-
I'd to consider definite suggestion for
the termination Of the crisis. In an
other dispatch lie says:
My object in all communications
since October has been to leave moth
Ing undonc to prevent such action on
the part of the Transvaal rs is caIcu-
ated to make IL pacific solution finally
impossible. I cannot, however, ask the
Imperial Government for q pledge
either regarding the disposition OF
troops in British territory in South
africa or their dispatch from other
parts OF the empire"
----- llEASONS FOtS AIoAlING.
President Steyn replied:
The reasons for arminG the Trans
yaal were the presence of an allen,
hostile population in its midst which
was always stirring up hatred and en-
deavorlnG, for political or financial rea-
sons, to undermine the Independence of
the State. The Beers have never taken
the offensive, not even after the Jamc-
son raid, when the Transvaal was
strongly armed and there were few
British troops there.
Regarding the Free State army II
viii he remembered that the Free
State always lived at peace and in
harmony with its neighbors, and has
everything to lose and nothing to gain
by rupture. The Burghers will GER
tainly not be called on: unless the Gov
eminent ia thoroughly convinced that
the British troops on the borders of
both States are decided menace to
me ,noepcndence of the Transvaal,
which the Free State is bound to as.
sist."
ENGLAND'S PREPARATIONS.
Great preparations are being made
Is al Southampton for the departure on
Saturday of General Sir Redvcrs Bull
Ter, and a great demonstration Is an
ticipated. The Duke of Connaught the
Duke OF York Lord Lansdowne Cen
eral Lord Wolseley and General Sir
Evelyn Wood are expected to accom-
pany him to Southampton from Lon
don.
1T les announced that the fleet OF
transports conveying General Sir
Eedvers Buffers army corps will be
escorted by warships, while further
dispatc boats and gunboats will be
Seut to South African waters.
The Government has already cXpentl-
ed f5,000,00o in naval and military pre-
parations, the orders placed with con-
tractors this week alone amounting to
100000. The authorities: anticipating
serious reduction in the output of
the South African coal mines. has ar
dered 5000 tons Of English steam coal
10 be sent to the Cape for the use of
the warships.
ENGLISH FARMERS BENEFITED.
The outbreak of war has sent up the
price OF English wheat on various
country markets, the farmers have re-
fused TO sell wheat under thirty ehii-
lings per quarter. in some cases even
holding out for a still higher price.
y dispatch from Kimberly says Cecil
Rhodes is expected there shortly.
BUTCHERS CALLED IN.
petoria, Oct. 1.-THE Official Gazette
(. to-day contains a proclamation calling
4 upon the Burghers domiciled outside the
republic without permission of the gov
IEernulcnt to present themselves forth
s. WI tn to their respect tive commandments
Hs for service. $faiIlnE will ch hey Will be
sss2S &