Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-10-03
FIGHTING BEGUN.
Possibility That a Clash Has Occurred
In Transvaal.
BRITISH TROOPS UNREADY.
Reported In Cape Town That Greene
Has Been Recalled From Pre-
tOria and That Beers Hold
LainGsnek.

London, Oct. 3.-It is affirmed and de
MED that a special train has left Cape
Town to bring Mr.. Conyngham Greene
the British agent, and his staff from Pre-
toria.
In government circles it is thought pos
sible that fight has occurred.
1t is believed that the Boer command
ant general, Joubert, is in camp eight
miles from the Natal border with 7,OOC
armed men.
The Pail Mall Gazette prints a dis
patch from Johannesburg, which was
sent by way of Cape Town, stating that
the position Of the British troops is crit
ical. Mismanagement by the war office
Is obvious, and unless strong reinforce
ments are sent reverses are certain
There is open treason in Cape Colony,
where there are only two battalions OF
British troops.
Great excitement prevails at Cape
Town, where it Is reported that the
Beers have occupied Laingsnek. The
British at Cape Town express great sat
isfaction at the fact that matters have
reached a stage when definite settle
ment of the difficulties is inevitable.
Cabinet May Not Meet.
The announced intention of the British
cabinet to meet has apparently been re-
considered. 1t is now said that the meet
ing depends largely on the developments
In the Transvaal. The date for summon
ing parliament has not been definitely
settled, though it is expected to be about
Oct. 10. Queen Victoria will hold a
privy council at Balmoral, Scotland, Mt
an early date, when the necessary proc
lamation will be signed.
1t now appears that the alleged calling
out Of the first class army reserve was a
hoax. The circulars were issued on Off
cial paper, and many members of the re-
serve presented themselves at the bar
racks only to find that the order was
forgery. The police now have the matter
in their hands.
An advertisement has appeared an
nouncing the formation of corps of
gentlemen rough riders, patterned after
RoOsevelt's rough riders, for service in
South Africa.
Advices received from Ladysmith, Ma
tai. say that 600 burghers have assem-
bled at Albertina, in the Orange Free
State, with the object of proceeding in
the direction of the border and that it is
leureu Fdlu OH LduySlnlIn Is meQlLaIeO.
The Natal field artillery, carbineers
and other military commands are en-
camped at Showground, on the road lead.
ing to the Orange Free State.
General Sir William Symons the Sec
ond in command under Major General
Sir George Stewart White, commanding
the Natal forces, is expected to arrive at
Ladysmith shortly.
1t is calculated that the Orange Free
State already has 1000 men on the Dor
der.
The advices from Johannesburg say nc
communicating took place there Satur-
day. They add that many of the Beers
are anxious to leave and that many OF
the young men are forming corps OF
civilian police and are acting in con.
junction with the Merchants association
The town is quiet. The merchants COM.
mittee announces that British subjects,
under a permit. will be allowed to re.
main ana tnut CONSULAR letters anu pa 80
ports will be accepted if the persons pre-
senting them are Of good character.