Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-10-17

NAL treaty. Solemn obligations have
not protected the Transvaal against the
annexation conspiracy and when it's in
dependence ceases, the Free States ex-
lstence as an independent state is mean
ingleSS. The experience of the past
shows that no reliance can be placed
upon the solemn promises and ObligatiO
Of Great Britain when an administration
is at the helm that is prepared to tread
treaties under foot.
The original conventions have been
twisted and turned by Great Britain as
a means of exercising tyranny in the
Transvaal, for which no return in JUS
tIce has been done in the past. No graft
tude has been shown for the indulgence
granted British residents, who. accord
ing to law, have forfeited their lives and
property.
Compliance with the British demand
would be equivalent to the loss Of ind2-
pendence. which has been gained by the
blood and tears of many years. The
British troops are concentrating on the
borders Of the Transvaal III order to COM
pei by terrorism compliance with claims
and crafty plans of those whose motive
is love Of gold. Realizing which, while
acknowledging the honor of thousands Of
Englishmen who abhor deeds of robbery
and violence, the Free State eXecrates
the wrongful deeds of British states
men,.
The proclamation concludes: "BurgherS
of the Free State stand up as one man
against the oppressor and violator of
right
1t is now definitely known that the
British government sent no final pro-
pOsals to Pretoria. The Transvaals Ill
timatum forestalled that intention. The
text of the British reply was:
Chamberlain to Miner, High Commits
siOner, sent 10:45 p. m, October 10, 1899:
Her majesty's government have received
with great regret the peremptory demands
of the South African republic conveyed in
your telegram of October @.
You will inform the government of the
South African republic in reply that the
conditions demanded by the government Of
the South African republic are such her
majesty's government deem it impossible to
discuss.
Ready to Shell Mafekinr.
Cape Town, Oct. i2.-Morning adv:ces
from Mafeking say that every precau-
ton has been taken against attack and
that all the streets are barred to wagons.
According to these advices, the Beers in
tend TO shell the town before delivering
their attack They are said to possess
twelve guns. Every man in Mafeking
Is carrying Il rifle and the military au-
thorities are confident that they will be
able to repel attack. but they lack the
force necessary to follow d Boer retreat.
The town is fairly quiet. The convent
sisters and many ladies have elected to
stay and nurse the wounG.ad, and many
houses have been converted into hospi-
tails. The searchlight on the fort is kept
working across the veldt. Three Boer
spies have been arrested in the town.
Railway communication to the south
ward is practically at the mercy of the
Beers, over POO miles of the line being
within easy striking distance of the en-
terprlsing commands.
Kruger Refuses to Leave.
President Kruger is credited with re-
fusing to quit Pretoria, declaring that
like a faithful captain, he will remain
on the bridge whether the ship runs safe
ly into the harbor or goes down into the
deep"