The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-10-18
ENGLAND is at War
With the Transvaal
KRUGER SAYS SOUTH
AFRICA MUST BE
FREE.

London, Oct. 10 The altimatum
of the Transvaal government is natu
rally the absorbing topic of converse,
ton at the clubs and in political cir
cies tonight.
The text of the Boer ultimatum on
arriving this morning was sent with
eli speed TO Lord Salisbury, who
came to town this afternoon and q
dispatch box was sent to the Prince
of Wales, which is only done in cases
of special urgency
The cabinet has been summoned to
meet at the foreign Office on Friday
next.
War preparations by Great Britain
are being pushed with the greatest
energy The Wolwich arsenal has
already forwarded to South Africa
over {, S,000,00o cartridges for rifles
and machine guns, and the reservists
continue to respond eagerly to the
modification proclamation.
The TransvaaPs ultimatum, which
Is signed by f. w. Reitz, secretary
Of state, contains the following:
Her msjesty's unlawful interven-
tion ln the internal affairs of this re-
public in coaaics With the London
convention OF 1884, by the extraordi'
nary strengthening of her troops in
the neighborhood of the borders of
this republic has caused an intolera-
Bile condition of things to arise, to
which this government feels itself
obliged, in the interest not only of
this republic, but also of all South
africa, to make an end as soon as
possible and this government feels
itself called Upon and obliged to
press earnestly, and with emphasis
for an immediate termination of this
state of things and to request her
majesty's government TO give as,
surances upon the following four
demands ::
esFirst-That all points of mutnal
difference be regulated by friendly
recourse to arbitration OF by whatever
amicsb,e way may be agreed upon
by this government and her majesty s
government.
aSecond-That all troops on the
borders of this republic shall be in-
ssantly Withdrawn
ssThird-Tha. all reinfo.cements of
troops which have arrived in South
Africa since June /, 1899, shall be
removed from South Africa within a
reasonable time as agreed upon with
shis government and with the mutual
assurance and guarantee on the part
Of this government that no attack
upon or hostilities against any por-
tion of the possessions of the British
government shali be made by this
republic during the further oegotia-
,ions, within a period of time to be
subsequently agreed upon between
the governments and this govern
ment will, on compliance Herewith,
be prepared to withdraw the armed
burghers of this republic from the
borders
.sFourth-Tha. Der majesty's troops
which are now Oh the high seas shall
not be landed in any part CT South
Africa"
To these demands is appended the
definition of the time limit for reply:
"This government presses for an
immediate and affirmative answer to
these four questions and earnestly re.
quests her majesty's government 20
return an answer before or upon Wed
sesday, October 1lth, not later than
5 o'clock p. N.
..Is desires further to add that in
the unexpected event of an answer
not satisfactory being received by it
within the interval. it will with great
regret be compelled to regard the
action of her majesty's government
az formal declaration of war, and will
not hold itself responsible for the
consequences thereof, and tba: in the
event of any further movement
of troops occurring within the above
mentioned time in nearer direction
10 our borders. this government will
be compelled to regard that also a
formal declaration of war
.sI have the honor to be.
Respectfully yours,
ls;oned3 "F. w. Reitz,