Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-23
porRs WILL NOT STRIKE FIRST.
TngIand Must Give the First Blow
situation in London.

situation an Luhdoh.
LONDON. September 22.-The Pail Mall
Gazette this afternoon published a special
Dispatch from Cape Town. which says it
S. stated that the Beers have given
guarantee 20 their sympathizers in the
orange Free State and Cape Colony that
re Transvaal viii not be the first TO
make war.
A cabinet council was held to-day, be-
rnuirg at 1890 Z. NJ, and lasting two
hours a large crowd assembled about
Downing street and loudly cheered the
ministers. the Secretary of State for the
Colonies. Mr. Chamberlain, receiving the
l.ls share o. the applause. Nothing
tarspired regarding the action taken,
though the general impression spread
t.t a vigorous line had been adopted.
Ihe Secretary of State for War, the
Marquis of LansdOwne, and the First
Ieri NJ the Admiralty. Mr.. George j.
Goshen. Immediately proceeded 10 the
War Office.
not SUPREMELY IMPORTANT.
Tile comparatively short duration of the
council warrants the conclusion that no
tL.nr ~ supreme importance was decided
a. BE- and such We believe TO be the fact
Incarnation Is 20 the effect that il was
on Interim Cabinet summoned TO consider
.l Interim dispatch. Ii is believed that
fl.s paper, which met with the unani-
NOUS approval of Alr. Chamberlain's col
-ues will Zoe published as soon as re-
l.yei by the BOer Government on Mon
day. or, at the latest. on Tuesday Ac-
c.rling TO the Pall-Mau Gazette, the dis
E.ch opens with an expression Of regret
g.. The unfavorable character OF Secretary
Eatz's latest reply. and proceeds with
Nt.y firm iusistance upon the population
of ne claim of the Transvaal TO the
status OF a sovereign state, once more
pointing out British readiness 10 settle
Ir once the nature Of the proposed arbi-
tra-ion tribunal. provided the other Bril-
ush conditions are promptly and unre-
servedly accepted, and concluding with
The intimation that the Imperial Govern
ment is now engaged I'm drawing up its
own terms. and that the Transyaal may
expect 10 hear from them very shortly.
UNCLE SANS POSITION.
The United States Ambassador Mr..
Joseph n. ChOate visited the Foreign
Office to-day. 1t is understood that his
visit was iu relation TO the Alaskan ne
sotations. In an interview with a re-
porter or the Associated Press. Mr..
cAoate said: cor course, Lord Salisbury
d.i not discuss the TIansvaal crisis with
Me. / can say that the United States
bias made no representations Of any kind
lu-arling the Transvaal, and the same
applies. so far as 1 know. To Germany.
] hope there Will be no war, but things
are quite uncertain
D. is understood that no active steps
viii De taken TO send an army corps to
South Africa but preparations of a gene
r kind viii continue quietly for the dis
patch " "a large army under General Sir
ID. vers Butler should President Kruger
ine 10 avail himself of the further
opportunity now given for a compromise.
The Standard says it believes the gov
eminent has decided 10 convene Parlia-
mont next month. The Johannesburg cor
respondent of the Morning Post says: 1T
L asserted here that an understanding
exists il Pretoria that the Cape Colony
government viii. at the last moment, de-
clare in favor Of the TransyaaL"
WILL STAND WITH THE Beers.
The Capetown correspondent Of the
Daily Chronicle says: Il have the best
authority for the statement that the
o.asa Free state Raad has unanimous
resolved TO assist the Transvaal
against British aggression"
lnm.cat ely after the Cabinet council
to-day The German Ambassador Count
t9. .zfeldt-Wildenburg, visited the
Premier Lord Salisbury. and had long
taialelce with him. The fact that a
similar visit Immediately followed the
Previous Cabinet council leads some per-
sons 90 attach significance 10 10, and TO
l.er that Emperor William, OF Germany,
h 'aking an active part In TransYaal af-
l.rs The official German press how
ever. has been 50 outspOlen IN telling
President Kruger that he need not expect
German aid that it IS scarcely possible to
attach credence 10 that inference.