The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-10-18

London, Oct. IL, lis p MP to
the present hour DO dispatches have
arrived fror, the Cape timed since the
expiration of the ulsimasum, so it is not
vet known whether the first shot bae
been fired.
A telegram from Pretoria, timed
7 80 yesterday evening says: "fhe
situation is becoming more critical
hourly. Numerous Americans. Ger
maus, Frenchmen. Swedes, Belgiaus.
Norwegiaos. Danes, Italians. Dutch
men. Swiss and Cape Afrikanders have
gone to the border TO fight for the
Transvaal, although they are not
burghers, while many British residents
also have taken the oath of allegiance.
The hope is expressed by many tdat
war will yet be ayersed.'
Nothing since this has been received
from Pretoria and doubtless telegraph
communication with the Transvaai is
now cut.
The absence OF news from the Cape
since early morning is not due to an
interruption of the cable, but to the
immense pressure Of worg, the cables
being nearly monopolized by British
goverumens dispatches, which take
precedence of all others. Only two
cables run to Cape Towo from Europe
and the one on the eastern coast Is very
slow, SO that practically all the work is
throwo on one Atlantic cable which
means that the present exaspereting
delay will recur repeatedly during the
progress of the war and that .hs uews-
paper dispatches will probably be very
mesgre.
Further particulars regarding the
correspondence between President
Steyn of the Orange Free State and
Sir Alfred Miner, governor Of Cape
Colony and British high commissioner
10 South Africa, cabled from Bloemfon-
teiu, show that Sir Alfred on Oot. I
stated that the imperial government
was reconsidering toe situation in view
OF the grave fact that both the republics
we're oa a var footing, apd was even
then prepared to consider definite
suggestion for the term in alton Of the
crisis. 10 another dispatch ne says :
INV object 10 all communications since
October has been TO leave nothing
undone to prevent such action on the
part of the Transvasl as is calculated
to make pacific solution finally impos-
sible. I cannot, however. ask the
imperial government for q pledge either
regarding the disposition of troops il
British territory in South Africa or
their dispatch from other parss Of the
empire"
President Steyn replied ''The rea.
sons for armiog the Traosvaal we're the
presence of an alien. hostile population
in its midst which was always stirring
up hatred and endeavoriug, for political
or financial reasons. to undermine the
independence of the State. The Beers
have never taken the offensive, not
even after the Jameson raid. when the
Trapsvaal was strongly arued and there
we're few British troops there.
Regarding the Free State army. it
will be remeu bered thas toe Free State
always lived at peace and iu barmopy
with its neigbbors, and has everything
to lose and nothing to gain by rupture.
The burghers will certainly Dot be
called out unless the government is
thoroughly convinced tba: the British
troops on the borders of both states are
decided menace to the independence
of the Transvaal, which the Free State
is bound to assist F."
Great preparations are being made at
Southampton for the departure Sasur-
day Of Gen. Sir Redvers Butler, aud
great demonstration is anticipated
The Duke of Conuaught, the Duke Of
York Lord Lansdowre. Gen. Lord
Wolsley aud Sir EveIyn Wood are ex-
peo,ed to accompany him to Soatbamp-
ton from London.
it is announced that the feet Of
transports conveying Geo. Sir Redvers
Buller's army corps will be escorted by
warships, while further dispatch boats
aud gupboats will be seus to South
African waters.
The government has already expend-
ed se5, 100000 90 naval and military
preparations. the orders placed with
contractors this week amounting to
5000 900. The authorities, autlcipat-
ing serious reduction 10 the output of
South African coal miEes, mas ordered
5000 soos of English steam coal TO be
sent TO the Cape for the use of the war
ships
The outbreak of war has cent up the
price of English wheat ou various
country markets. The farmers have