The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-09-07
ACT OF DEFIANCE.
Pres. Kruger Wants to Know
What England Means
By MObilizing Troops on the
TranSVaal Frontier.
SIGN OF IMPATIENCE.
His Query is So Regarded In
London.
Both Sides Continue Prepara-
tiOns For War.
SIGN OF IMPATIENCE.

Pretoria, Sept. AT the desire of
the Transvaal government there has
been transmitted through Cunningham
Greene, the British diplomatic agent
here, to Sir Alfred Miner, the British
high commissioner OF South Africa an
inquiry as to whether an explanation
would be given in regard to the mobili-
zation of British troops on the Trans
Vaal frontier.
CHANGE FOR THE WORSE.
London, Sept.7-If the TransvaaI sit
uation has changed at all since yester-
day it is for the worse. The Boer re-
quest for an explanation as to the
massing of British troops, on the 'front.'
Ter of the TransvaaI has an ominous
note of irritation and impatience, Which
at such a critical stage can scarcely be
interpreted as anything but a defiance
Both here and in Cape Colony the ten
sion and the arming continue Wheth-
er the Transvaal cabinet will formu-
late plan of immediate relief is
still a question of great doubt. The
more conservative believe that the cab
met will only put time limit upon the
negotiations and that the interim Will
merely be repetition of the anxious
times which have marked the past few
weeks.
Cape Town advices say the Afrikan-
ders regard the latest Boer reply as
evasive while others regard it as de-
signed to entangle the two govern
mentS in further negotiations. The aV-
erage opinion of the British press is in
clined to regard it as the straw which
would break the back of the most long
suffering diplomatic camel
The second edition of the Morning
Post today contains a special dispatch
from PietermaritZburg, capital of Ma
tai saying that an ultimatum would be
forwarded to the Beers today. This is
scarcely credible however. as every
we'll informed source here believes that
the cabinet will decide upon the advis
ability of ultimatun.
The same correspondent adds that
the Beers have received or will receive
a dispatch from Sir Alfred Miner, the
governor of Cape Colony and British
high commissioner of South Africa, de-
manding the release of Mr. Pakeman,
the editor of the Transvaa1 Leader who
was arrested on September on the
charge of high treason
Continuing the correspondent says 800
Beers have left Pretoria for Stander-
ton and declares that the Pietermaritz-
burg troops are ready to march at two
hours notice.
TROOPS FROM INDIA
Simla, Sept Three regiments of
cavalry, four regiments of infantry and
three batteries of field artillery have
been formally warned to prepare to
leave their stations in India at the
shortest notice for service in South AZ
rica.
The hospital outfits have received
similar orders
TWO POINTS OF VIEW.
London, Sept. THE London edition
of the Standard and Diggers News, the
official Boer organ, today says:
we can state that the diplomatic cor
respondence between the TransvaaI
and the colonial office is of a reassur-
ing nature and that the dispute has
now narrowed to an issue which should
make a settlement possible and even
speedy
The Transvaal is prepared for all
eventualities but remains hopeful of n
peaceful settlement
Nothing that can be learned here
tends to confirm the foregoing state
ment and owing to the pro- -Boer source
from which it emanated, it is regarded
with suspicion.
The special correspondent of the Pail
Mall Gazette at Cape Town, in a dis
patch dated today says:
I'll is believed in Afrikander circles
that the TransvaaI intends forcing
matters to a sudden issue and that war
may possibly break out wi hin 4S
hours. 1t is supposed that the first act
on their part viii be an advance on
Laings Neck, the sole route from the