The age-herald., 1899-09-29
ALLIANCE OF THE
 TWO REPUBLICS Orange Free State and BOeTS Join
 Forces. TIE RAIDS RESOLUTION
BurgherS Are Getting Uneasy About
 British Movements.
ABSORBED IN WAR PREPARATIONS
London Mail Says Commanding is Pro- ceeding in the Wakkerstrom Dis trict, and Probably Through
 out the TranSvaal

London, September 2S-The decision of the Volksraad of the Orange Free State to join with the Transvaal in the event of hostilities although fully expected is the leading news today and will undoubtedly stiffen the Boers independent attitude.
 The Raad's resolution has made the brotherhood of arms between the Trans vaal and the Orange Free State, of which here Iofore there was only a strong proba- bility, an absolute certainty and the Brit ish will have to face the situation
 The Volksrlad resolution was as follows:
 "The Raad having read paragraph of the presidents speech and the official doc uments and correspondence submitted herewith
 Having regard for the strained state of affairs throughout the whole of South Africa which has arisen in consequence of the difference between the imperial gov ernment and the government of the Trans vaal which threaten to lead to hostiities the ealamitous consequences of which to the white inhabitants will be mmeasura- ble.
 Being connected with the Transvaal by the elosest ties of blood and eonfederacy.
 And standing in the most friendly re- lations with the imperial government and fearing that should war break out hatred between the European will be born which will arrest and retard pelcefui development of all the states and colonies of Africa and develop a distrust of the future.
 Feeling that the solemn duty rests l. In it of doing everything possible to avoid the shedding of blood.
 "Thal considering the Transvaal govern ment during it's negotiations With the i'm perlal government which have extended oyer s.} eral months has used every en- deavo. to arrive at peaceful solution of the differences raised by the aliens Of the T1ansvaal and taken up the imperial government as it's own cause, which en- deaVors have unfortunately had only this result that the British troops were eoncen- trated on the border of the Transvaal aud are still being strengthened.
 The Itesolu'itn
 "Resolved That we instruct the govern- ment ta still use every means 10 maintain and insure peace and in peaceful manner contribute towards the solution of the eX. sting difficulties, provided it be done with out violating the honor and independence of the Free States and the 1ransYaal and wishes the ministry to make known it's opinion that there exists no cause for war, and that war against the Transvaal as now undertaken or occasioned by the imperial government will morally be a war against the whole white population of Africa and its consequences criminal, for come what may the Free State will honestly and faith fully fulfil its obligations towards the Transvaal by virtue of the political alliance between the two Republics"
 Intense excitement continues to prevail at Pretoria where apparently it is believed that there is no escape from war. The commission appointed to consider the mat ter reported today as to what officials are necessary to carry the government in the event of war and fixing their salaries.
 iiurihess Gsti ne Uneasy
 The burghers are getting uneasy at the concentration of British troops between Lady Smith and Laings Nek, and es- pecially at Glencoe and Dundee. The nom- inal reason for the concentration is the protection of the Dundee coal fields, but the bmghers shrewdly know that it is for the formation of force that will advance across the Transvaal frontier at Vyrheid as soon as war is declared. The Boers do not intend to be caught mapping and are now massing around Vyrheid, not, how ever merely as protective measure, but to be prepared unless the British rein 
 make a dash in force through a portion of Zululand, crossing the Buffalo river at a point below Rorkes Drift and then seizing the railroad, cut off the British garrison at Dundee and Lady Smith from the south, which will not only interrupt the British lines of communication but would seriously interfere with forward movement. In order to watch this portion of the railroad exposed to a Boer incursion a British post will be established at Rorkes Drift.
 Abs ,rbcd in War Preparations
 The Pretoria corresuondent of the Daily Telegraph says:
 "The Transvaal executive is absorbed in war preparations. Many BoeTs oppose ag- gressive action on religious grounds.
 "There have been local thundarstorms and rains in Johannesburg and in various parts Of the Orange Free State"
 The Daily Mail which appeals to the government to await President Kruger 5 reply before sending a second dispatch says:
 If. as has been asserted on behalf of the Transvaal, all trouble would have been avoided had Mir Chamberain's dispatch last Friday said convention instead of conventions we don't believe a British cabinet would decline to clear the matter up. It is for President Kruger to speak if it is indeed only matter of a cons on ant, for we are convinced that it is in his power to get the consonant cut on
 The Daily Chronicle says: We under stand on the best authority that the delay attending the Boer reply is due to hopes still entertained by the Transyaal of a peaceful settlement. The Boers dstrust MT. Chamberlain. They fear that if they make concessions he will only increase his demands. Therefore they have been trying to approach Lord Salisbury direct
 They Trust the Premier
 They trust the premier as much they distrust the colonial secretary and if Lord Salisbury would give a padge that the golden bridge was meant seriously they ......