The Topeka state journal., 1899-10-10

and rommander-in-c of New South
Wales was present sergeant major
den's attention to the fact that he was
wearing the same sword used by his
lordship whe the latter belonged to the
New South Wales Lancers. Lord
Hampden was also about to examine
the weapon, when the sergeant major
cautioned him saying: That sword
has been sharpened and is ready for ac-
tive service
ENGLAND IMPROVES HER TIME.
The reports from all military centers
show that the mobilization orders are
received with the greatest enthusiasm
now that President Kruger has crossed
the RubicOn and taken the irreVocable
step of issuing an ultimatum.
The only wonder is why II President
Kruger is resolved upon fighting, he
has waited so long The explanation
seems to be that his hand has been
forced by the fact that the Beers have
got out of control, or that if he awaited
the arrival of the British army corps
the chances of military success for him
would be of the slimmest possible char
The expiration of the time limit of
the ultimatum tomorrow evening does
not leave Great Britain much time to
strengthen the present military posi-
ton although there are still few
troops at Durham, Natal, available for
dispatch to the front but the govern
ment will doubtless now adopt the sug-
rand into volunteer regiments.
NEWS STEADIES STOCKS.
London. Oct. 10--The effect of the
news of the Transvaal ultimatum on
the stock exchange was steadying. Kaf-
frs were firmer in the belief that the
most gigantic gold industry in the
world will be Incorporated in a British
colony as the outcome of the war
Outside the mOmentOus news of the
ultimatum nothing of moment has been
received this morning from the scene
of action except the announcement thdt
the Beers have constructed forts COM
manding Laing's Mex and that guns
have been mounted on Mount POgatane
and Mount Prospect.
DELAGOA BAY SOLD.
London, Oct. 1O.-It is reported that
al the coming session of parliament
formal announcement will be made OF
the cessiOn of DelagOa Bay and the
surrounding territory in Portuguese
East Africa to Great Britain The
price is said to be 100000 pounds
WAR TO BEGIN TOMORROW.
London. Oct. 1O.-The text of the
Transvaal ultimatum it is understood
is on the way to the British foreign
office. According to the latest adVices
the time limit expires tomorrow after
noon at > O'Clock when, if the demands
of the Beers are not complied with, the
further landing or dispatch of troops
will be considered an act of war and
hOstilities will commence Immediately
In ordinary circumstances as Great
Britain is the government making the
demand she would be the dispatcher of
the ultimatum and the fact that the
Beers have taken the initiative is re-
garded as rendering the situation more
serious and increasing the hOpelessness
of averting war
TERMS OF ULTIMATUM.
London Oct. 10.-The Transvaal ulti-
matum, which is signed by F. w Reitz.
secretary of state, concludes with the
following four demands:
''First-That all points of mutual
differences be regulated by friendly re-
course to arbitration. or by whatever
amicable way may be agreed upon by
this government and her majesty's
government
ASecond-That all troops on the bor-
ders of this republic shall be instantly
Withdrawn.
.'Third-That all reinforcements of
troops which have arrived in South At
rica since June 1, 1899. shall be removed
from South Africa within a reasonable
time to be agreed upon with this gov
ernment, and with the mutual asSur-
ance and guarantee on the part of this
government that no attack upon, or
hOstilities against any portion of the
possessions of the British government
shall De made by this republic during
the further negotiations within a period
of time to be subsequently agreed upon
by the governments; and this govern
ment will on compliance Herewith be
prepared to withdraw the armed burgh-
'-FOurth-That her majesty's troops,
which are now on high seas, shall not
be landed in any part of South Africa.
To these demands is appended the
definition of the time limit for a reply:
The government presses for an i'm
mediate and an affirmative answer to
these four questions and earnestly re-
quests Her MajeSty'S government to re-
turn an answer before or upon Wednes-
day, October II, 1899, not later than 5
o'clock p. m. It desires further to add
that in the unexpected event of an an
sWer not satisfactory being received by
it within the interval, it will, with great
regret, be compelled to regard the ac-
ton of Her Majesty's government as a
formal declaration of war and Will not
hold itself responsible for the cOnse-
quences thereof and that, in the event
of any further movement of troops Oc-
curing within the above mentioned
time in a nearer direction to our bOr-
ders, this government will be COM
PEELED to regard that also as a formal
declaration of war.
I have the honor to be, respectfully
your, F. w. REITZ,
f'State Secretary
LAST WORD IS ON BOTH SIDES.
The diplomatic circumstances sur
rounding the presentation of the ulti-
matum are probably without precedent.
Ordinarily a foreign power, when ad-
dressing peremptOry demands to an
other, sends them through an ambas-
sadOr, or minister accredited to its ad-
versary.
The Transvaa1 government. however,
has no diplomatic representative recOg-
nlzed by Great Britain. Montague
White, the TransvaaI consul general in
London, would not be received by either
the foreign office or the colonial office.
Consequently President Kruger was re-
duced to handing the ultimatum to
Conyingham Green, al Pretoria who in
turn wired it to Sir Alfred Milner. Brit
ish high commissioner in South Africa
{ r
Chamberlain, who thus becomes the
first secretary of state for the colonies
to receive an ultimatum. As soon as
the communication is translated from