Evening star., 1899-09-16
Situation in the Transvaal Gives
Little Hope of Peace.
ENGLAND'S TERMS ARE REJECTED
Young Beers Are Anxious to Start
the Fight.
EXCITEMENT AT PRETORIA

LONDON. September 16. - Information
from all sources points to the extreme
gravity of the Transvaal situation.
Pretoria advices. emanating from Boer
source. say the Transvaals reply is uncom-
promising and that preparation for a
stanch resistance is proceeding continu-
oUsly-
Another Pretoria special dated Septem-
Der II, says the situation is now regarded
all but hopeless unless Great Britain re-
treats from her position.
The dispatch adds:
THE governments of the two republics
consider the Transvaal should refuse to
ccncede anything further, and it is believed
the Beers will have the support of all the
Afrikanders throughout South Africa
1t is now definitely stated that the Orange
Free State has agreed to unite with the
Transvaal in resisting the British claims.
OF all the numerous channels through
which South African news reaches London
not gives the faintest hope that the
Boer reply will be favorable, the majority
taking the view that war is extremely
probable.
The Boer representa- tfves here and on the
continent reiterate that the British govern
ment is allowing itself to be influenced by
those wanting British dominion over the
whole of South Africa, and that convic-
tion of the truth of this is so firmly rooted
in the minds of the burghers that 1t is i'm
possible tC hope that they will accept the
constantly proffered friendly advice regard
ing settling the matter Great Britains
present terms.
Troops Leave England.
The first battalion of the Northumber-
land Fusileers. 800 strong, and detach-
ments Of the army service corps and ord
nance corps sailed on the steamer Gaul at
pm today from Southampton, en- route
to Natal, amid great enthusiasm. The men
appeared to be in splendid condition and
openly anxious for fighting. The fusileers
went direct from Aldershot, but many of
the officers of that regiment and numbers
of special service officers started from Lon
don, receiving at Waterloo station an en-
thusastic send-off from the large crowd
present The porters cried ''All aboard for
Pretoria" which was taken up by the
crowd uproariously.
General Sir George Stewart White. V. c..
former quartermaster general who is 60
ing TO command the troops in Natal, sails
with his staff on the Tantallon Castle from
Plymouth. He left London subsequent to
the main body of the officers. Though Cen
White tried to keep private the hour of his
departure from London. a large crowd was
present and gave him an ovation.
Captain Sir Edward Chichester, who
commanded the British cruiser Immortalite
at Manila. is among the officers accom-
panying Gen. White. He is going to Cape
Town to command the second-class cruiser
Capt. Chichester said to a reporter of the
Associated Press:
This is my first march. 1t is difficult to
say which way events will turn. My work
is among the hewers of wood and drawers
of water. l am to hustle between Cape
Town and Delagoa Bay. the prospective
seat of war. in the Doris, with provisions
and equipment for the men.
Capt. Chichester's Views.
II look back with vast pleasure at my
Old American comrades now off on a diff
ferent scene of action. / am sorry I can
not the reception to Admiral Dewey or
join in welcoming such typical navy man.
Admiral Dewey is off to peace, while 1
fear l am off into the thick of war. The
scenes have changed, that is all. Good
bye"
The crowd cheered Justify as the train
pulled out and pressed around the cars
In order to get handshake with General
White
Young Beers Keen to Fight.
CAPE TOWN, September 16.-Further
kilograms from Pretoria today confirm the
forecast of the reply of the Transvaal to
Great Britain, which does not accept the
demands of the British government as a
whole. Great excitement prevails at Pre-
toria the consequences which may
ensue. The young Beers asking to be
led into the field Immediately. 1t is inn
possible to predict what will be the situa-
ton after the delivery of the reply in
London. The feeling here is that 1t will
be impossible for the imperial government
and undgnified upon its part. to again en-
ter upon interchange OF arguments
The Royal Munster Regiment has arrived