Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-09-14
VICTORIA FOR PEACE
QUEEN STRONGLY OPPOSED TO
WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.
Beers AGREE TO CONFER

British Representatives-Volksraad
Discusses Situation and Declares It
self Determined to Maintain Rights
and Independence of Republic
London, Sept. 9.-Montague, a while
consul-general Of the South African
republic, is in London and said last
evening: L assure you on the author
ity of cabinet minister there will be
no war with the Transvaal-in fact the
queen will not permit war. 1 received
telegram from Pretoria Friday as
surfing me that the Transvaal govern
ment quite understands the position of
the peace party in England"
The AngloTransvaal situation wears
a more peaceful aspect. The Associ-
ated Press account of the decision
taken at the cabinet council
is confirmed from the best
sources Of information. In
addition to the troops from India a
brigade of four battalions of infantry
is under orders to start for South
Africa Immediately, one from home and
three from the Mediterranean states.
The sailing Of the Castle liner Harlech
Castle has been Cancelled. The steamer
will probably be employed to transport
these troops. A semi-official statement
comes from Pretoria through Cape
Town to the effect that the Transyaal
government has explained to the Brit
ish diplomatic agent, Mr.. Greene, that
its last dispatch was meant as an ac-
ceptance of the proposed joint inquiry.
Volksraad Is Firm.
Pretoria, Sept. 9.-In the volksraad
Friday the debate was resumed on the
Interpolation of the government re-
speeding the concentration of British
troops on the border and the stoppage
Of ammunition assigned to the Trans
wall. 1t adopted the following resolu-
ton unanimously:
"The volksraad, having considered
that friendly correspondence is still
passing between the two governments
and that the concentration of troops in
great numbers near the border has a
detrimental and restless effect on the
inhabitants of the states and that the
Transvaal has lived in friendship and
peace with all nations and desires 10
continue to live in such friendship, and
now declares it regret at the fact of
the concentration and expresses
the opinion that in case of
eventualities, which might lead
to enmity or war between the
governments the cause would not lie
with the republic. AS regards the stop
page of ammunition at Delagoa bay,
the volksraad trusts that the govern
ment will act according to circumstan-
ces. The volksraad further resolves
TO drop the matter Of concentration of
troops on the border for the present,
until the government shall supply fur
Their information to the raad The
raad declares itself determined in the
meantime to maintain the rights and
independence of the republic"
Bloody War Certain.
Chicago, Sept. 9.-"England wants
our country and we do not intend to
lose it. There will be war in South
Africa and war of the most awful
bloody character" This opinion and
others were Friday expressed by H. S.
Bosnian, pastor Of the Dutch reformed
church in Pretoria, Transvaal. Bos-
man is on his way to the assembly of
Presbyterians which convenes in
Washington on September 81. ITO the
loyal people of the Transvaal will be
added the people of the Orange Free
State, Cape Colony and NataI," con-
tinued he. 'The Afrikander people
will fight to the last gap and if Eng
land winsit must be by utterly ravaging
the country, and the determination of
every loyal Afrikander. Every man
is certain that England means moth
ing less than the seizure OF the coun-
try. She has had that intention since
1878. The question of franchises is
only one reason for the strained rela-
lions. The real cause lies in Eng
lands realization that if she does not
crush rapidly the developing union of
the Transvaal, Orange Free Stete,
Cape Colony and Natal into a single
republic it will soon be too late. Ny
people are fearless and skilled in war
fare and well equipped. There is al
offensive treaty between the Transvaal
and Orange Free State which compels
the latter to furnish troops. To 10000
burgers will be added 10000 from the
Free State and $4,000 from Cape Col
ony. To combat this number England
will need 555, 0o0."