The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-09-23
WAR VERY NEAR.
Little Hope OF Peaceful settlement OF
the south African TroubIe-sit-
uation Extremely Grave.

London, Sept. iS.-All the dispatches
from South Africa talk of the imm,-
nence of hostilities and the prepare
tons for them. In johannesburg it
seems to be taken for granted that the
Orange Free State has approved Pres
ident Kruger's note and promised ac-
tive assistance in the event of war;
An official telegram posted at Nolksruss
says that the Transvaal, with the as
sent of the Orange Free State, repu-
dates British suzeranty and adheres
70 the seven years franchise. At Cape
Town il is reported that Mr.. Ilofmeyr,
the Afrikander leader, sent a com
munication to President Steyn, of the
Orange Free State, entreating him 10
do his utmost to preserve peace, but
that he received in answer the words
TOO late" All military men agree
that il is out of the question TO begin
hostile operations before the middle of
next month, no rain having fallen and
| the veldt being still bare. .
Cape Town, Sept. 1S.-Great excite
ment prevails at Pretoria over the con-
sequences that may ensue from the re-
ply to the British government. The
young Beers are asking to be led into
the field Immediately. 1t is Impossible
| to predict what will be the situation
after the delivery of the reply in Lon
don. The feeling here is that il will
be impossible for the imperial govern
ment and undignifed upon its part
again to enter upon an interchange of
arguments.
London, Sept. iS.-The reply of the
| Transvaal government to Mr.. Chamber
| lain's latest note is said TO cover niHe
pages. 1t is eminently of the negative
and inconclusive" character, which Mr..
| Chamberlain declared would compel
! the imperial government to consider the
situation afresh. 1t practically repudi-
ates suzerainty, reverts to the seven
years franchise, and declines to give
equality TO the Dutch and English lam
guages in the volksraad. 1t says the
Transvaal government ardently de-
sires and gladly accepts arbitration, as
its firm intention is TO adhere to the
terms of the London convention OF
1854. The dispatch concludes by trust
ing that the British government, on re-
consideration, may not deem it fit 10
make more onerous or new proposals,
but will adhere to Great Britain's pro-
posal for joint commission of inquiry,
as previously explained by the secre-
tary of state for the colonies to the i'm
perial parliament
In short. il is positively negative and
defiant. The full text may not be avail
able for day or two, but il will not
change the aspect of affairs. The cab
met will probably meet on Wednesday
or Thursday to consider the next step.
London, Sept. 1s.-The Morning Pos,
says: The Beers mean to fight. That
is the plain English of il. The Stand
ard says: The Transvaal note is un-
satisfactory and, indeed. n dangerous
composition. 1t might be going too far
to say that the last hope of peace has
vanished or that diplomacy has said
its final word, but it is idle to deny that
the rulers of the Transvaal have
brought their country very close to the
brink of disaster which the British
government has done its best to avert
The Daily Mail says: President Kru-
gers defiance has terminated q long
period of unrest and uncertainty in
South Africa, for, whatever may be the
issue of the present situation, one thing
il certain. that duaism in South Africa
will end forever The Daily Chronicle
says: We regret that the Beers, by
re jecting a fair offer made in fair lam
guage, have taken n line giving fresh
point 20 the argument of their enemies
| that President KRUGER is shifty and
impracticable politician, fit only TO be
spoken 10 across a line of bayonets.
These extracts fairly represent press
opinion in London.