The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-09
OPEN ACT OF WAR IN AFRICA
MAY COME AT ANY
MOMENT
nlCHIlE9Y Is IN MOTION
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AS
busy AS THOUGH ACTUAL HOS
TILITIES HAD BEGUN
EASsING MEN AT MAFEKING

Hx Thousand Burghers Are In Posi-
ton to Advance Upon the Town,
which the English Are Equally
Well Prepared to Defend-The
ROers Chatting Under Delay and
Eager to Take the Offensive.
LONDON Oct. S-Whatever may be
the result of Great Britain's controversy
with the South African republic, every
department of the government today is as
busy as though actual hostilities had be-
gun. The electric flash that announced
the mobilization of the army reserves
and the summonlng of parliament set
every wheel of the government machin-
cry in motion. An hour after the Gazette
appeared executive orders were being dis
patched from the war office to every sec
ton of the kingdom, and the 10000 bulle-
tins which appeared posted throughout
the country today are said to have been
identical with the proclamation prepared
for use when the Fashoda incident re-
quired such a step.
Mr. Balfour were issuing the necessary
orders for the reassembling of parlia
ment, the admiralty was concentrating
its transports, twenty-four of which are.
now secured at Liverpool alone. So
complete were the preparations that 25,-
900 reserves have already individually re-
ceived coupon tickets which contain in
structions when each man shall report
for railway transportation to the place
designated and money order for three
shillings for provisions en- route.
At Woolwich today it was asserted that
95 per cent of the reserves could be fully
equipped within six days. In the mean
time the members of the two houses of
parliament are arranging to return to
London. A force of men is busiy en-
gagged in completing the Improvements
at Westminster.
MEN AT ARMS.
The most important news from South
Africa comes from Mafeking, where twice
on Saturday the British camp was
aroused, the men stood to their arms,
guns were ltmbered and patrols were dis
patched in the direction of the border.
No hostflities have occurred as yet but
border, eight miles from Mafeking, in
force, estimated at least 5000, comprising
five commands. The garrisoning and for
tifying of the town are practically COM
pleted.
The streets are barricaded and perfect
system of mines has been laid. Two ar
mOred trains have arrived at Mafeking,
consisting of three bullet-proof cars the
first of which carries a searchlight, while
Of he NJ cor lad
Each train is complete in itself and car
ries its own provisions Experiments with
Lyddite in the mines prove that it is an
extremely powerful explosive.
Col Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden
Powell, commanding the Fifth dragoon
guards, has issued a notice that the Beers
who are massed on the Natal and Be
chuanaland frontiers have orders not to
fire until the British begin, and that the
town IS we'll provided for eventualities,
but as the Beers may shell the place
every endeavor should be made to safe
guard the women and children.
An armored train was inspected at
Kimberley Saturday. A signal station has
been erected with a coming tower at
the top, 13O feet above the tracks. Com
munication by telephone is had with a
central office, and signals to the troops
by flag. By this means maneuvers were
successfully conducted Saturday. The
troops number 5000, including the bicycle
corps
train was also officially tested at
Mafeking. 1t patrOlled to the north and
pracdced firing at targets.
BOERs IN CAMP
dispatch from Kimberley to the Cane
Argus says that 5000 Beers are encamDed
midway between Boshof and Kimberley
Ihey are well armed, and great religious
fervOr Is shown in the camp. The Beers,
however, are chafing under the deay.
They patrol the border nightly and have
been ordered not to permit a British uni
form to approach the frontier.
A special order was gazetted on Satur-
day announcing what British residents
would be allowed to remain in the Trans
Vaal and under what conditions
FREE STATES STAND.
BLOEMFONTEIN, Orange Free State,
Oct 8-The correspondence between
President Steyn and Sir Alfred Miner,
British high commissioner in South Afri-
ca, and governor Of Cape Colony, has
been published In a communication
dated Sept. 26 President Steyn pointed out
that the tone of the British dispatches
was altered; that the imperial govern
ment had departed from the original
basis of negotiations with the Trans
agreed to the holding of an inquiry, and
the Free State was greatly disappointed
to learn that it's efforts in favor of a
peaceful solution had not proved availa-
BILE.
The Free State, Mr.. Steyn said, was pre-
pared to tender its services to procure
a solution Of the difficulties on fair and
reasonable lines. 1t felt hampered, how
ever by want of knowledge of the def
mite object and the extent of the desires
or demands of the imperial government
and further by the fact that notWith-
standing repeated assurances that the i'm.
perial government does not wish to inter
fere with the internal affairs of the
Transvaal to disturb its independence
1t has pursued a policy justifying contra
ry conclusions.
trusts the imperial government may see
its way clear, pending further negotia-
tions, to stop further movements for the
increase of troops and that he would be
glad to be favored with the views Of the
imperial government regarding the pre-.
else nature and scope of the concessions
or measures which it suggests as neces.
sary sufficient to secure satisfaction
and a permanent solution of the existing
differences.
TO ALLAY EXCITEMENT.
On Oct. President Steyn informed ST,
Alfred Miner that he deemed it advisa.
BILE, In order to allay the intense excite.