The record-union., 1899-10-14

king, which seems to indicate that they
are endeavoring to get Baden Powell
between two fires
The gravity of the Boer advance can
be better estimated when it is realized
that they will thereby cut railway and
geographic communication to the
hofth, isolating several British posi-
tlons which must be speedily relieved.
Despite the optimistic reports of the
aolilty of Mafeking to repel attack, the
greatest anxiety prevails here regard
ing the situation there, as it is known
that the redoubtable Commandant
CronJe, who captured the Jameson
raiders has the strongest force yet put
INTO the held. with the exception of
Commandant General Joubert's force
|fon1es troops number between 5000
and 10000.
Inc position in Natal has not mater
lally altered. The reported inroad of
3'OOO Beers by way of Tintwa Pass is
PROBABLY Identical with the inroad of
the force reported yesterday as hav-
ing crossed Van Reenans Pass.
Inc IIntWa column, according to the
the last advices, had reached within
! twenty miles of Ladysmith. On that
| showing there ought to be speedy news
| OF hghting. Ladysmith is at present
the Aldershot of Natal.
dispatch from Cape Town saws
that no doubt is felt as to the LOYALTY
Oh Lerothidi and other native chiefs
| and the Basutos are still we'll in hand
| put the resident Commissioner has de-
clded to patrol the border in order to
prevent raids.
The latest direct dispatch from Mafe
KING says that although the Beers are
now moving restlessly in the vicinity of
theIr laager, there is no sign yet of
an attempt to cross the border.
AMERICAN CONSUL TO LOOK
AFTER BRITISH INTERESTS.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13.3The State
department was to-day notified of the
withdrawal from Pretoria of Conyng
nam Greene, the British diplomatic
assent to the South African Renublic
ana the existence of a state of war
petWeen Great Britain and that repub-
nc. Mr.. Macrum, the American Con-
SUI at Pretoria, has accordingly been
instructed to undertake the care of the
BRUSH interests in that section dur
ing the war.
The notification came TO the state
department in the shape of q note from
Idr. rover, in charge of the British
Embassy here. The de4 1ils ~ 80
transfer of British interes af
war had been previously
tiiSdt ali that was necessary was the
uIspatch Of brief cablegram to Mr..
Macrum at Pretoria.
rms officer is the superior in rank IN
the other Consular representatives of
the United States, not only IN the
Transvaal, but in the Oranase Free
State, and he has been Instructed to
give those officials the necessary direc-
tlons The only other Consular Off
Ger besides Mr.. Macrum in the South
African Republic, is a Mr.. Gordon, who
succeeded Mr.. Manion as Consular
Agent at johannesburg, Mr. Manion
having resigned a few months ago
In the Orange Free State the Unit
ed States is represented by Alfred Ell
lott, Consular Agent at Bloemfontein.
He is an Englishman and therefore it
is questionable whether he will re-
main at his post in his capacity as
American Agent or retire. In the lat
ter case Mr.. Macrum will probably Sc
lect some suitable American to take m
the duties of Consular Agent.
There is no present intention at the
State Department to issue a proclama-
ton OF neutrality. 1t is customary to
omit these proclamations until some
emergency arises calling for their is-
sue and such an emergency is not ex
pected TO occur in South Africa.