Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-09-20
BOERS ARE READY
But England Is Disposed to Go Slow
at the Present Stage Of
Affairs.
BRITISH In AFRICA ALARMED
A Report That England Demanded That
the Boer Forts Be Dismantled and the
Armament Reduced, But the Bluff
Had No Peroeptible Effect.

Loudon, Sept. so.-Great Britaln's re
lations with the Transvaal remain un
changed and so far as the former is con
cerned the situation is not likely to take
on new phase until after Fridays cab
met council. Whether the Beers vii
| be content sf9swsIt 81 long without end
ing the suspense with hostilities de
pends upon circumstances.
The Morning Post contains dispatch
from Pietermaritzburg, Natal, dated
September 10, saying: II never have
known the situation to be graver. The
Beers only await two days rain on the
veldt before beginning hostilities. They
have determined on war and consider
they can expect nothing else after the
last dispatch and are prepared to face
the consequences"
The correspondent then describes in
detail the Beers elaborate border pre-
parations which appear more thorough
and formidable than heretofore believed.
He says the Orange Free state officers
at Pretoria decided on combined plan
of action which; he adds, includes seiz-
ing Majuba, Laing's Neck and New
Castle, Natal, the moment the ultimatum
arrives.
Continuing, the correspondent as
serts that Portuguese officials at Risanio
Garcia have arrested some Boer officials
on the charge of constructing laager
in Portuguese territory.
The Outlander council, as result of
meetings held at Pietermaritzburg and
Johannesburg, has decided to address
=, To vi ich
missioner Sir Alfred Miner, urging the
imperial government to break off negotia-
tions with the Transvaal. The reason
for this action are that 'the severe dis
tress prevailing may compel the re-
naming Outlanders to accept any COM
promise offered. Loyal British sub
jects are becoming discontented and
great unrest exists among the natives" +"
1t should be borne in mind, however,
that Pietermaritzburg has been the
mecca of alarmists and the Morning
POSTS dispatches are inclined to be sem
sational
Secretary of State for Colonies Joseph
Chamberlain, spent the day at the colo
nial office. He looked completely worn
out by anxiety.
A dispatch from Pretoria says that at
meeting of Belgians there, a corps was
enthusiastically formed to help the
Beers in case of war. Secretary OF State
Reitz is quoted as saying in case of war
aliens could remain in the Transvaal
provided they guaranteed good behavior.
The presence of Orange Free State
officers at Pretoria is confirmed. There
are numerous field cOrnets at the Boer
capital
The second edition of the Times prints
a dispatch from Johannesburg dated
yesterday saying: "Outwardly Johan-
nesburg is quiet. The prevailing feeling,
however, is one of intense uneasiness,
owing to the possibility of martial law
being proclaimed at the end Of the week.
1t is said when this is done the govern
ment will insist ON all persons unfavor-
able to the Beers leaving within 4S
hours"
The same correspondent says person
having access to the inner circles of
Pretoria tells him dispatch from Sec
retary of State for Colonies Chamberlain
was handed to the Transvaal govern
ment Sept. 1S demanding dismantlement
of Boer forts, and reduction of arma-
ment by rs per cent. The Beers are
perturbed and are keeping the matter
secret until they have decided on a plan
of action.
The same rumor was current in Lon
don yesterday but nothing has been as
certained tending to confirm it. and in
spite of the Times correspondents re-
iteration 1t Is looked upon as improbable
Cape Town, Sept. s0.-The arrest OF
Boer officials by the Portuguese is re-
sarded as likely to create serious COM
piications. A bund of women is pre-
pairing peace appeal to Queen Victoria.
Durham, Natal, Sept. 20.-The first
battalion Of the Manchester regiment
arrived here on the steamer Goth and
Immediately proceeded to Pietermaritz-
burg.