The record-union., 1899-10-12

LONDON, Oct. PA dispatch to
the Daily Telegraph" from Ladysmith
dated Wednesday, alone among the
specials received, declares that war has
begun by the Beers in Natal. The cor
respondent says:
Free State Burghers have seized a
train at Harrysmith, which was the
property of the Natal Government.
Last night mounted patrol was
stoned by Beers The mems orders
were not to fire unless they were fired
upon"
The other dispatches only represent
that hostilities are imminent.
LONDON, Oct. IA dispatch from
Pietermaritzburg, Natal, says: Intense
excitement prevails here, owing to the
persistent reports t IT the Orange Free
State troops have already crossed the
border, and are advancing upon Lady
smith. The Beers entered Natal by
the important pass of Cundy Clough.
thirty-seven miles southwest of New
castle.
Another dispatch says the Basutos
are becoming restless. and are con-
gregating on the border.
News also comes that the Official
Gazette" contains a proclamation call
ing upon all the Burghers domiciled
outside the republic to present them
selves forthwith for service, failing in
which they will be fined, imprisoned
and their property confiscated.
Montague White, Consul General for
the South African Republic here, closed
the Consulate this afternoon and left
for the continent.
II Is rumored that Conyngham
Greene, the British diplomatic agent at
Pretoria, has been assassinated tnefe.
The report, however, is unconfirmed
and is discredited at the Colonial Of
flee. Greene was expected to leave
Pretoria this evening
WILL BE NO FORMAL DECLARA-
TION OF WAR
BLOEMFONTEIN, Oct. 1.-THE
Orange Free State and Transvaal Off
cials held a conference regarding the
time limit of the Boer ultimatum. The
Transvaal wanted to allow only twen-
ty-four hours, but the Free State sug-
gested a compromise on forty-eight
hours, this view prevailing. 1t is not
believed here that any formal declara-
tion of war will be made.
BOERS EXPECTED AT NATAL. To-
DAY.
CAPE TOWN, Oct 11.-Sir Alfred
Milner, Governor of Cape Colony and
British High Commissioner for South
Africa, has issued a proclamation de-
claring all persons abetting the enemy
in state of war with Great Britain
guilty of high treason
The Beers are expected to occupy
Newcastle, Natal, tomorrow morning.
UNITED STATES TO LOOK AFTER
BRITISH INTERESTS.
WASHINGTON, Oct. lit is prac,
tically settled that the United States
will look after the interests of Grea,
Britain in the Transvaal in the event
Of war Although Great Britain up to
a late hour to-day had made no for
NAL request for such action on the part
of the United States, it is believed that
there is perfect understanding to that
effect between the representatives of the
two Governments.
Mr.. Tower, the British Charge daft
faires had another conference with
Acting Secretary Hill at the State De-
partment to-day, at which it is believed
an understanding was reached that the
United States would look after British
interests in the Transyaal in case the
withdrawal of the British representa-
tives was made necessary by declara-
tion of war.
LONDON, Oct. 1.-THE Foreign Of
fice confirms the report from Washing
ton that Great Britain has asked the
United States Consuls in the Transvaal
to represent British interests there dur
ing the hostilities
BRITISH WILL HAVE TO ACT ON
DEFENSIVE FOR PRESENT.
LONDON, Oct. 11.-If the latest re-
ports from South Africa are true, the
Beers have not waited for the expira-
tion of the time limit, but have already
crossed the border, as they would be
entitled to do both in virtue of the
notification contained in the last para
graph of the ultimatum, and also of the
British acknowledgement, which
reached Pretoria so speedily as to
Justify a belief, amounting almost to
certainty, that the war party in Great
Britain is in reality delighted that di-
plomacy has said it's last word, and
that action can now proceed.
All indications go to show that Great
Britain is so unprepared as to be COM
PEELED to remain on the defensive for
some weeks. All the aggressiveness
must come from the Beers. 1t seems
highly probable that the tongue of
Natal. as far as Newcastle, viii be in
the hands of the Beers before many
hours. From that point, however, in
the event of a further advance, they
would probably find British forces at
Ladysrnith and Dundee capable of re-
pelling their attacks.
At Ladysmith, the garrison, which
has to guard against attack from the
Orange Free State, was reinforced to-
day by the Gordon Highlanders and a
strong contingent of the Indian troops.
and the authorities are now confident
Of their ability to deal out an un-