Evening star., 1899-09-20
BOTH SIDES WAITING
Transvaal Situation Continues Under
Great Tension.
War PREPARATIONS CONTINUE
Boer Officials Reported Arrested in
Portuguese Territory
ORANGE FREE STATE ACTS

LONDON, September 2O.-Great Britain's
relations with the Transvaal remain I'M
changed. and, SO far as the former is con-
cerned. the situation is not likely to take
on a new phase until after Fridays cabinet
council. Whether the Beers will be content
to wait even that long before ending the
| great deal of doubt.
The second edition of the Morning Post
contains dispatch from Pietermaritzburg,
Natal, dated September 10, saying: Il have
never known the situation to be graver
The Beers only await two days rain in the
veldt before beginning hosti!ties. They are
determined on war and consider they can
expect nothing else after the last dispatch,
and are prepared to face the consequences"
The correspondent then describes in de-
tall the Beers elaborate border prepara-
lonS. which appear more thorough and
formidable than heretofore believed He
says the Orange Free State officers at Pre-
toria have devised combined plan of action
which, he adds, includes seizing Majuba.
Laing's Neck and New Castle, Natal, the
moment the ultimatum arrives.
Boer officials Arrested.
Continuing, the correspondent asserts
that the Portuguese officials at Risanlo-
Garcia have arrested some Boer officials on
the charge of constructing a lager in
Portuguese territory
The outlander council, as the result of
meetings held at Pietermaritzburg and
johannesburg. has decided to address a
communication to the British high COM
missioner Sir Alfred Miner, urging the
imperial government to break off negotia-
tons with the Transvaal. The reasons for
TINS action are that The severe distress
prevailing may compel the remaining out
IdnuerS TO accept comDromiSa
the loyal British subjects are becoming dis
contented and that great unrest exists
among the natives"
1t should be borne in mind however that
Pietermaritzburg has been the Mecca of
the alarmists, and the Morning Posts dis
patches are inclined to be sensational
The secretary Of state for the colonies
Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, spent the day at
the colonial Office. He looked completely
worn out by anxiety.
A dispatch from Pretoria says that at a
meeting of Belgians there corps of en-
thusiasts was formed to help the Beers in
case of war.
Aliens May Remain During War.
Secretary Of State Reitz is quoted as say
ing that in case of war the aliens could
remain in Transvaal provided they guar
anteed their good behavior.
The presence of the Orange Free State
officers at Pretoria is confirmed. Numer-
Gus field cornets are at the Boer capital
The second edition of the Times prints
dispatch from Johannesburg, dated yester-
day, saying:
''Outwardly Johannesburg is quiet The
prevailing feeling, however, is one of in
tense uneasiness, owing to the possibility
of martial law being proclaimed at any mo-
ment. 1t probably will be proclaimed at
the end of the week. 1t is said that when
this Is done the government will insist on
all persons unfavorable to the Beers leay-
ing within forty-eight hours
The same correspondent saws that a par-
son having access to the inner circles at
Pretoria tells him that a further dispatch
from the secretary of state for the colonies
Mr. Chamberlain, handed to the Trans
vaal government September 49, demanding
the dtsmantlement of the Boer forts the re-
duction of the armament by 15 per cent
The Beers are greatly perturbed and are
Keeping the matter secret until they have
decided on plan of action
The same rumor was current in London
yesterday but nothing has been ascertain
ed tending to confirm it and in spite of the
Times correspondents reiteration, is look
ed upon as improbable.
Canadian Troops Volunteer.
TORONTO, Ont, September 20 - Col
Hughes of Lindsay has undertaken to
raise regiment Of Canadians for service
in the Transvaal should war break out
In letter to the press he says Mr.
Israel Tarte, minister Of public works has
promised to raise a proportionate number
OF men from among his fellow countrymen
In Quebec. The Eth York Rangers, raised
In the neighborhood of Toronto, have al
ready asked to be sent to South Africa.
DURHAM, Natal, September 20.-The 1st
Battalion of the Manchester Regiment has
arrived here on the steamer Goth and i'm
mediately proceeded to Pietermaritzburg.
The crowds present cheered the troops,
who responded
CAPE TOWN, September 2O.-The arrest
of Boer officials by the Portuguese is re-
garded as likely to create serious compli-
cations.
The band of women is preparing peace
appeal to Queen Victoria.