The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-12
THE TRANsvAAL WAR.

THE TRANSN AAL WAR.
The Boer ulumatum was unlocked for in
London. In fact il was expected that
Mr.. Chamberlain, Secretary Of State for
the Colonies would shortly send a com
munication to the Transvaal in which he
would make demands with which that gov
eminent must comply He had only a short
Time previously Withdrawn his proposal for
. conference, with the announcement that
he would make new demands. But before
Mr.. Chamberlan's ultimatum was forth
coming. the Beers sent him one OF their
own, thus. precipitating the crisis which
had~for nfAnths been regarded as inevita-
BILE but Of uncertain date.
Being convinced that an adjustment by
diplomacy could not be reached, the Beers
had nothing 10 gain by delay. on the 9TH
er hand policy of delay would well suit
Great Britain's purpose, as it would give
her time to transport such a body Of
troops to South Africa that the campaign
would be Somewhat in the nature of a tri-
umphal procession. BY carrying out the
arrangements already perfected when the
Queen on Saturday Of last week signed her
proclamation convoking Parliament, the
number of British troops in South Africa
by the latter part of November would be
above 10000 effective fighting men. The
Trausvaal government, even with the ac-
tive aid of the Orange Free State, could
not possibly put into the field a force suf-
hcenuy large 10 check the progress of so
great an army. Manifestly, therefore, the
thing for tic Beers to DO was to precipi-
tate matte& ahead of the perfection OF
British arrangements. There are now Of
British troops in South Africa some 400.
with 5000 more al sea on transports bound
for the seat of trouble. Against these the
Transvaal has about 5000 men ready for
service with the prospect good for get
ting 10000 more into the field provided
she has the assistance of the Orange Free
State.
TO assure herself of the aid Of the orange
Free State, by the way, is the purpose of
the Transvaal's carefully prepared STATE
ment, which was made public upon the
publication of the ultimatum delivered 10
the British representative. In the Orange
Free State public opinion is far from be-
ing unanimously in favor of going to the
length of giving physical support to the
sister republic. The Orange Free State
is not menaced; therefore many of her peo-
pie fail to see why they should be called
upon TO offer lives and property in war
with Great Britain. But the Beers nave
told their neighbors that, although they
may not be threatened at present. 1t will
be only question of time when Great
Britain will crush them also, provided
l.. ~
This argument had some effect upon
President Steyn, and a promise of help
was given the Beers provided they did
not begin the war but stood steadfastly
by the terms of the convention of 1884. In
the statement given out by the Boer gov
eminent and published in the dispatches
of yesterday. it will be seen that the gov
eminent claims that it has all along ad-
hered stringently to that convention and
is contendng now for the terms of it,
while Great Britain has perfdiously broken
faith and forced a war Whether this
statement Will prove satisfactory to Presi-
dent steyn and his people remains to be
seen.
Should the Beers follow up the line Of
policy it would seem they had determined
upon II may be expected there will lie
sharp fighting within the next few days.
Indeed. the conflict may occur at any mo-
ment, The forces are not far apart. The
Beers are reported to have entered Natal
A single shot, as in the case of our war in
Luzon, would fire the powder train. The
hope of the Beers 10 make the most of the
situation is to catch the British troops
piecemeal, before the reinforcements ar
rive, and infict upon them all the damage
possible.