Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-03
EXPECT # TIGHT TODAY
Alarming News From Durham, Natal,
Received in London.
Beers TO o; BEGIN POSSIBILITIES
England Moving Slowly About
Sending an UtimatumL
ONE EXPECTED FROM KRUGER

LONDON, October "a dispatch from
Durham, Natal, announces that the Beers
are expected. to take the aggressive today.
The most alarming rumors are afioat re-
garding their intentions.
While all the dispatches from South
Africa dwell upon the condition of wild
excitement there and the expected immi-
nence of Boer attack, there is in reality
little change in the situation, although
the massing of the Beers in all directions
inevitably increases the tension.
While constant military orders are being
issued here, progress seems very slow,
and it must still be weeks before Great
Britain will be in a position to strike, al
though it is believed that the British troops
now at the front or near it are sufficient
to protect British territory.
England Moving Slowly.
The government is certainly not show
ing any signs of haste in sending an ulti
matum. This is probably due to a recog
milton that Great Britain is not yet ready
to substitute force for negotiation. and the
cabinet therefore is giving the Transvaal
every chance to accept the latest British
proposals.
Mr.. Montagu White, consul general for
the South African republic in London, told
the Associated Press this morning that he
telegraphed President Kruger yesterday,
urging him to make a personal appeal to
Lord Salisbury, dwelling upon the iniqulty
of the and proposing a scheme as d
basis of further negotiations. He said he
was momentarily expecting to hear that
the Transvaal government was sending an
ultimatum to Great Britain. declaring the
dispatch Of troops casuS belll in which
event he would be- compelled to close his
offices. 3ot > -
Mr.. Whites Curious Statement.
Mr.. White added curious statement to
the effect that a representative of one of
the largest capitalists of the Rand had call
ed upon him this morning and asserted
that it was known in capitalist circles that
Lord Salisbury had determined there should
not be war, and had instructed the secre-
tary of state for the colonies, Mr. Cham
berlain. to wire to South Africa further as
surances with regard to the British desire
to respect the complete independence of the
Transvaal No confirmation of this is OBJ
tainable in official circles.
The dispatches from South Africa are
largely a Repetition of those Of last week.
Advces from n ewca stle, Natal, reportthat
telegra phief comm unication is Interrupted
beyond CharlestoWn, where the stores nave
been looted by the natives since the de-
parture of the Whites
Stories of the movements of Beers and
British, of. the; hurried muster and dis
patch Of troops rOn both sides. nave come
Natal, says that the Orange Free State
troops have occupied and closed 'Gotha's
Pass on the Free State border, and that
Commandant. AuFiche. chief of the. Free
State artillery, is proceeding In the dlrec-
ton of Kimberley with a considerable force
of artillery Another fierce of artillery, un-
der Comma fdant3 Boning,, has gore to Har-
rismith. while Commandment Smith com
mands force of artillery en- route for
kroonstadt. - =" q:
Europeans IeAve Johannesburg.
The latest news received from Johannes
burg, filed there Yesterday. Indicates that
the last rush of Europeans to leave the
town has occurred. They crowded the
trains like saraines, occupying every pos
sibie inch on the trucks. There is con-
siderable anxiety with regard to the few
who remain behind, as communication
seems to be .cut off. -.
The mining commissioner stated officially
that the proclamation of September %,
relative to the protection of miners. had
been withdrawn, and, he. therefore, advised
all Britishers to leave as soon as possible.
The British steamer Lalpoora, now in the
transport service, arrived last evening at
Durham, Natal, with field artillery, a hos
pital corps and commissariat stores, from
India. The troops We're promptly d1sem-
barked and sent by train up the country.
The Natal authorities have announced
that no more mails will be dispatched to
the Transvaal until further notice. Last
Fridays mail vas sent back from the fron-
tier. 81.
A Bloemfontein dispatch says that the
Orange Free State government has ga
Zetted an alien expulsion law, and also
law forbidding the export of grain, stock
and other neceSsaries without permit
Communicating is proceeding there at
lively rate. A commando from Bloemfon-
TEN is assembling today at Bainsolei.