The record-union., 1899-10-09

OF a peaceful solution had not availed.
The Free State, Mr.. Steyn said, was
still prepared to tender it's services to
procure a solution of the difficulties on
fair and reasonable lines. 1t felt ham
pered, however, by want of knowledge
of the definite object and the extent of
the desires or demands of the Imperial
Government.
J THE Free State" says Mr.. Steyn,
cannot conceive it possible that diff
ference regarding the franchise or rep
resentation can justify the extensive
and ever increasing military prepara-
tions being made upon the borders, not
only of the Transvaal, but also upon
those of the Free State, and is, there
fore, reluctantly compelled to conclude
that they must be intended to secure
objects, a knowledge of which might
induce the Free State to make repre-
sentations to secure their attainment"
In conclusion, President Steyn says
he trusts the Imperial Government may
see it's way clear pending further nego-
tiationS, to stop further movements for
the increase of troops, and that he
would be glad to be favored with the
views of the Imperial Government re-
garding the precise nature and scope of
the concessions or measures which 1t
suggests as necessary or sufficient to
secure satisfaction and permanent So
| luton of the existing differences.
| On October 1St President Steyn in
| formed Sir Alfred Miner that he deem
| ed it advisable, in order to allay the
! intense excitement of the Burghers,
arising from the continued increase and
| movements of troops, to summon the
! Burghers, and repeats his offer of aid
in securing a friendly settlement.
! Replying on tie same date, Sir Al
| fred Miner expresses regret at the call
| ing out Of the Burghers, and refers to
| the mobilization of the TranSVaaI
forces on the Natal border as indicat-
| ing the intention TO Immediately invade
the Queens domain.
President Steyn, on the same date
expressed his conviction that the action
! of the Transvaal is only the natural
result of the continued increase of the
! British force and the movement in the
| direction of the Transvaal border
Sir Alfred Miner replied on October
Sd that all the movements of the troops
were necessitated by the natural alarm
felt by the inhabitants of the exposed
! districts, and declared that these move-
ments We're not comparable in magni-
tude with the recent massing of armed
/ Transvaal forces on the border of Ma
/ tai.
President Steyn, replying on October
Sd, says he does not consider that there
are even fair grounds for the move
ment of the British troops, and he be-
lieves the increasing military prepara-
tions retarded the efforts of himself and
i all those who were sincerely working
to maintain peace and effect a fair set
/ tlement.
He concluded thus: Il feel deeply
/ impressed with the dangers of DELAY.
and urge the need of immediate action.
If further attempts are to be made to
secure peaceful solution once again
l tender my best services toward the
attainment of that object, but [ fear
these will probably be useless. if they
are not accompanied with or preceded
by the assurances requested in mine of
/ September 9th
HOSTILITIES EXPECTED THIS
WEEK.
LONDON, Oct S-The Cape Town
! correspondent of the Daily MaiF' de-
! clares that the story of a Boer ulti-
matum demanding the Withdrawal of
the British troops from the frontiers
had been presented is without founda-
ton, but he says the republics have
within the past week demanded dec
laration of the British intentions in
! terms. Hostilities in the outlying dis
trlcts, the correspondent says, are ex-
| pected this week.
The correspondent further says: The
! financial position of the Free State
! is becoming acute, and suspension OF
/ specie payments is expected soon The
! Free States national bank credit in
/ Cape Town has been stopped The
! Orange Raad in secret session passed
! law empowering the President to
use the revenues Of the State and to
! borrow money TO conduct the war
The Pretoria Mint is working day
/ and night minting gold stolen from
the mail train, but Kruger gold has
been tested since the mint was opened,
and therefore the coinage practically
consists of expensive tokens"
The Prince of Wales on Saturday
/ received General Sir Redvers Butler
/ 1t is again announced that Cabinet
! council will be called shortly.
The steamers Aurania Cephalonia
and Catalonia of the Cunard Line have
! been engaged by the Government as
! transports, making six vessels of the
! Cunard Company which have been
! taken by the Government for that SER
vice
The famous fighting Fifth Cumber-
land Fusileers have arrived at Cape
! Town, where they were received with
I great enthusiasm. In other respects
! the situation remains unchanged
The correspondent of the Times" at
Lobatsi telegraphs: Il crossed the bor-
der incognito near Mafeking, and
went among the Beers and talked to
/ them in their own language They
! said: The English want to entice us
! to the Natal border, and then, if all
I our forces are there, they will enter
from Mafeking and Vryburg, but we
+ are too astute TO be caught We do
not intend to attack first, but will at
! tack the British if war is declared
We do not trust Joubert. He wants
! peace. Viljoen will be better
They do not dream of defeat. One
| said: This time right into Cape Town
! or the English into the sea-
! If they could be persuaded that
/ England does not desire to undermine
InfYs IL .1.n-,