The Topeka state journal., 1899-09-28
STAND UNITED.
South African Republics Pre-
sent an Unbr0ken Front.

London. Sept 2s.-The decision OF the
VoIksraad OF the Orange Free State to
join with the Transvaal in the event
of hostflities although fully expected
is the leading news today and VIII
naturally stiffen the Beers independent
attitude. The raad's resolution has
made the brotherhood OF arms between
the sTransvaal and the Orange Free
State of which hitherto there was only
a strong probability, absolute Ger
tainty and the British will have TO face
the situation.
The Volksraad resolution was as fol-
lows: 1.-The raad having read para
graph two of the presidents speech and
the official documents and correspond
ence submitted Herewith.
Having regard for the strained state
of affairs throughout the whole OK
South Africa which has arisen in con-
sequence of the difference between the
imperial government and the govern
ment of the Transvaal which threatens
to lead to hostilities the calamitous con-
sequence of which to the white inhab-
itants win be inmeasureable-
Being connected with the TransvaaI
by the closest ties of blood and con
federacy.
And standing in the most friendly
relationship with the imperial govern
ment and fearing that should war break
out, a hatred between the European
races viii be born which will arrest and
retard the peaceful development OF ali
the states and colonies Of Africa and
develop a distrust of the future.
Feeling that the solemn duty rests
upon it Of doing everything possible to
avoid the shedding of blood.
Considering that the TransvaaI gov
ernment during its negotiations with
the imperial government v hich has ex-
tended over several months has made
To
solution of the differences raised BY the
aliens of the Transvaal and taken up By
the Imperial government as its own
cause, which endeaYOrs have unforrun-
ately had only this result that British
troops We're concentrated on the bor-
der Of the Transvaal and are stiH being
strengttened-
Resolved, That we instruct the gov
ernment to still use every means to
maintain and ensure peace and in
peaceful manner contribute towards the
solution of the existing difficulties. pro-
yided 1t be done without violating the
honor and independence of the Free
State and the TranSvaal and wishes the
ministry to make known its opinion
that there exists no cause for war and
that war against the Transvaal as now
undertaken or OccasiOned by the i'm
perial government. will morally be a
war against the whole white population
of Africa and in its consequences, Grim
inal; for, come what may, the Free
State will honestly and faithfully fulfill
by virtue of the political alliance be-
tween the two republics"
NO ESCAPE FROM WAR
Intense excitement continues to pre-
vail at Pretoria, where apparently, il
is believed that there is no escape from
war. The commission appointed TO con-
slider the matter, reported, today as to
what officials are necessary to carry on
the government in the event of war ana
fixing their salaries.
The field cornet at Pretoria is again
riff 1earfrea
lively proceeding and all preparations are
being made to take the field;
An Engltshman named Robertson has
with high treason. He is ALLEGED TO have
enlisted recruits for the Imperial light
The Burghers are getting uneasy at the
concentration of British troops between
Lady Smith and Laings Mex and espec-
tally at Glencoe and Dundee The nom
inal reason for the concentration is the
protection of the Dundee coal fields. but
real reason is the formation OF force
which Will advance across the Transvaa1
clared. The Beers do not intend TO be
caught mapping and are now nlassinss
around Nryhe1d, not however merely az
a protective measure but to be prepared
unless the British reinfOrcements across
the border cease TO make a dash IN 1orce
through portion Of Zululand. crossing
the Buffalo river at point below Rorkes-
In order to watch the portion Of the
railroad exposed to a Boer fncursiOn, a
British post will be established at
ROrkes drift.
A dispatch from Mafeking. in British
Bechuanaland. just across the Trans
vaal border. says a stream of destitute
people is arriving there from johannes
burg
A British infantry detachment with
some engineers has arrived at Deaar.
southwest of the Orange Free State and
an important railroad junction Exten-
sive fort1hcatons will be thrown up
there and the town will be made the
base of operations from that side
against the Orange Free State or the
Transvaal More troops will shortly ar
rive at Deaar.
From Cape Town comes the news
that at a meeting of the mfnisteriaIists
there today 1t was unanimously re-
solved to petition Queen Victoria,
deprecating the idea of war and urging
a joint inquiry into the effect of the
Transvaal franchise act as proposed by
the imperial government August and
accepted by President Kruger.
WAITING FOR RAIN
Cape Town says:
THE Beers would have taken
the initiative by now but
for the scarcity of wafer.
the rains not yet being sufficient Prob
ably there will be great difficulties in
providing food supplies for the people
remaining at johannesburg after hos
tilities have commenced
Several responsible people here who
have long clung to the belief in an uIti-
mate peaceful settlement, now regard
war as inevitable"
The Birmingham Post says Two
cargoeS of arms and ammunition leave
Hamburg or Rotterdam Friday for the
Transyaal comprising $4,000 improved
Mausers, 500, 900 cartridges and several
mortars for dynamite charges"