The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-28
WITHIN ONE WEEK
FLASHING OF ARMS MAY BE HEARD
IN THE LAND OF THE BEL
LICOSE ROER
MAR SEEMS UNAVOIDABLE
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE BRITISH
CABINET CALLED IN A CIR
CULAR TO MEMBERS
CONVEYING OF PARLIAMENT

That Is the Subject to Be Discussed
by the Cabinet Ministers-Latest
Advices From the TransvnaI Are
UnfavorabIe to Peaceful Solution
of Existing Differences - Safe
guarding Natal Approaches.
LONDON, Sept. 27.-Notices for the ad-
9ourned cabinet council were forwarded
this afternoon, and the chief government
whip will be on hand to give immediate
effect to any decision arrived at regard
ing the reassembling of parliament
Information from BloemfonteIn this
evening leaves little doubt that the
Orange Free State volksraad is unani-
nous in supporting the Transvaal.
Most important light IS thrown upon
the situation by frank statement to-
day to the Associated Press by Sir Walter
Peace, agent general for Natal in Lon
don, who fought against the Beers in
former years. He said:
1.-The attitude of the Orange Free State
means its inevitable acquisition by Great
Britain. Peace in South Africa can only
be accomplished by war. In my opinion
war would not last more than two
months. In order to make pacification
effective, Great Britain must assume ab-
solute control over the whole OF South
Africa.
80 far as the position Of Natal IS con-
cerned, all this talk about Ioor, unde
Tended Natal is nonsense. There viii be
little or no fighting in Natal, if 1t comes
to a war, and I fear that no other issue
is now possible. What do you think 49,
600 British troops would be doing while
this much-talked-of Boer raid was in
progress? Our eyes are in good working
order, and our troops can be transported
quickly. The bad weather conditions have
been magnified. A campaign could be
carried on now just as we'll as in any
otkel season.
WILL END QUICKLY.
1.-TWO months from the date Cen. Sir
Redvers Butler lands the fighting Will he
over If the Free State mad been loyal,
fighting would not have lasted fourteen
days. 1t is the luckiest thing in the
world, however, that the Free State has
been foolish enough to take a hostile at
titUde, for that means her addition to
British possessions. The Free State would
always have been a disturbing factor in
the quiet of South Africa
Great Britain has the power to work
out ultimate peace. 1t remains tc be
seen whether she has the spirit Upon
the concession of war, which must be
unflinching iii order to be effective Brit
ish control must be absolute over all
South Africa in Cape Colony, Natal and
other sections. Half measures would only
prolong unrest and produce more disturb
ances.
Il have known the Beers as well as
any man. l have lived among them, and
I have fought them. To exist peacefully
so close to them is an utter impossiUility
Negotiations are well enough IN their
way, but British control of the Transyaal
must come eVentualIy For years the
Beers have been crying Throw the Out
lander into the sea and Out with him
Possibly they are not so viruIent as dur
ing the last war, but there is little DIFF
ference My idea is that if the Beers
We're caught in the open once or twice
the thing would be ended Kill 500 of
them, and all that would remain for Eng
land to do would be to send few ship
loads of Grape. They never have stood
In the open, and if war comes now they
viii have to do more than stay in the
hills This is not optimistic twaddle but
an opinion based upon my experience in
campaigns against the Beers l have not
the slightest fears for the safety Of nv
colony or its towns. 1t is possible that
few BOer incursons might get few
mics into Natal, but no further, and it
must be remembered that many of those
Twins on the edge of the Natal border
are themselves Beers"
DEVELOPMENTS DUE.
Important developments are expected
today. The vOiksraad was sitting in Sc
cret session last night (Wednesdav) and
the burghers doubtless have tie assist
ance of the Orange Free States voIl1sraad
to aid tne1u in making & decision as TO
the reply to Mr. Chamberlafn's latest dis
patch, which Will probably be handed n
the British diplomatic agent at Pretoria
Mr.. Conynghan Greene, to day. and be
discussed by the British cabinet tonlor-
row.
The secretary of state for war. the
Marquis Of LandsdoWne, was busy until
late hour last evening at the war office
A telegram from Naples shows that the
British government is buying mules
there, as well as in the United States. If
is understood that 10000 will be nrr-
chased altogether, but as it will take at
least month to get them to Africa. and
q similar time to get an arm corps to the
frcrt, 1t is evident that to begin OPERA
tons will be impossible until the end Of
JNONGlIIDtI
1t is said the Beer note will demand the
fullllmeur Of the conventions of 1881 and
1884, which have been violated in various
points, but will accept a ffve-year limit
franchise.
According to the Pretoria correspondent
of the DAILY ChrC nicle it is believed in
higher circles there that peaceful settle
ment is yet possible if Great Britain will
propose modified terms and make ii clear
that they are final Other dispatches
from South Africa are more gloomy and
say that President Kruger is obdurate.
dispatches from Pretoria and Johannes
burg say hosttlities are expected to begin
within a week. One correspondent says:
''Rritish subjects will be given a GER
tain peciod in which to quit the country
II hey desire to remain they must make
application to that effect and the appii-
cation VIII be considered on its merits
Another correspondent says:
-Four thoust I'D rifles and a quantity of
ammunition ha re just arrived at Johan-
nesburg and ar being distributed by the
field comets. The burghers of Pretoria,
4OCO in number, are equipped and waiting
the order to advance"
LOOKS LIKE WAR
The Daily Telegraph publishes the fol-
lowing from it's correspondent in Cape
Town
II regret to note a universal opinion
that war is very near. Everywhere the
Beers are active and bellicose. They are
arming, equipping and storing supplies
for a protracted struggle"
1.-THE Transvaal government has failed