The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-09-08
Xll PREPARATIONS
Making by England and
TraDSyaa1
KRUGER ON THE OFFENSIVE

To Make q Dash for British Territory
on First Suspicious Move by EaEland-
More British Troops Ordered 70 be
Ready TO Move Oh -Four
Hourss Notice-The situation Sopssd-
cred Very Grave-News from h
Transyaal Vague.
London, September 5.-Tha latest
news received in this city from various
points in South Africa Is vague and
contradictory. Nothing more Is known
regarding the status Of the negotiations
between Great Britain and the Trans
Vaal than that learned yesterday.
The officials Of the British wal Office
emphatically deny that the reserves
have been called out or that any steps
have been taken to that end.
The afternoon newspapers follow the
lead Of the morning papers in taking an
extremely grave view OF the situation,
although the war Office denial some
What tends to allay the wildly alarmist
reports current late last night
The opinion of those who regard the
beginning OF a wal between Great Bri-
tain and the Transvaal as only a mat
ter Of a short time is voiced by The ST.
James Gazette which says today:
The news concerning the crisis is
very grave. We learn that three more
Infantry brigades have been ordered to
Cape Colony including the Gordons, of
Dargai fame; one battalion Of the
Highland Light Infantry, who fought
in Crete; the second battalion of III
Blackwatch, and the second battalion
of the Cameronians. These regiments
are under orders to be ready to leave
at twenty-four hours notice. The Off
GERS and men are delighted at the pros
pect of active service.
"In service circles war is considered
absolutely certain The admiralty have
a number of transports ready to convey
troops to Cape Colony.
"The Beers, while prOcrastinating in
regard to their reply, have been making
every preparation for war and contem-
plate raiding the Natal frontier. La
ing's Neck which is the sole route from
the Transvaal to Natal is undefended."
Capetown, September 5.-Arrange-
ments are being completed for safe
guarding Geographic communication
with the Cape in case war between
Great Britain and the Transvaal. Refu-
gees to the number of lat have arrived
here.
+ A unillion cartridges have been for
warded to Pietermaritzburg, capital OF
the British territory of Natal.
Many Dutch farmers are leaving
BechuanIaland for the purpose of form
ing a laager across the frontier.
London, September 5.-Right Hon.
John Morley, liberal, member Of par
Lament for Monteroseburgh, address
ing his constituents this evening at
Arbreath, dwelt upon the necessity of
SO shaping British policy in dealing
with the Transvaal as not TO divide the
white races.
There could not be-" said Mr.. Nor
ley, "a more i~nsensate example of hui
man folly than a war that would bring
added burdens. We do not wish to be
a pirate empire, ard war with the
Transvaal would mean deep dishonor."
PREPARING FOR WAR.
London, September 6.-The premier,
the Marquis of Salisbury, will come 10
London today "wednesday from Wal
mer, to confer with the secretary OF
state for the colonies, JOS. CHAMBER
lain, and a cabinet council has been
summoned for Friday Urgent mes
sages have been sent to all the minis
ters requesting their attendance. There
is great activity at the admiralty, the
war Office and the colonial Office.
General Lord Wolseley, field mar
shall, and commander-tn-chief, is in
daily communication with the wal
office, as are also General Sir Evelyn
Wood, adjutant general to the forces;
and Colonel Hector Archibald MacDon'
aid, aide de camp to the queen.
The Daily Mail expresses the cpin,
ion that the next move will be an I'll
timatum, unless President Kruger
Yields" 1t declares that $4,000 men il
the outside number that the Transvaa
government can put into b field.
The Berlin correspondent of th'
Daily Mail says: / learn from Boo
sources that reliable news has been re
ceived at The Hague from Pretoria t.
the effect that President Kruger will
not give Mr.. Chamberlain time to senc
an ultimatum, but will take advantag'
of the first suspicious nov of tn
British troops on the border to assum
the offensive.
The johannesburg correspondent D
The Standard says: There seei,'s Il
be some ground for supposing that tn
peace party at Pretoria has gained
temporary advantage as the result o
the influence of Mr.. Fischer, the specia
representative of the Orange Ere
State"
;. Berlin, September 6.-The Neusest
Nachrichten, commenting upon tn
news that the Germans in the Trans
} vaal are forming a league to help tn
Beers says: I'VE fear that this one
will entice the Transvaal government
to carry their resistance against Eng
land further advisable"
Other influential German papers con
tinue to warn President Kruger tina
he need not hope to receive the leas
, help from Europe.