The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-10-03
THE TRANSTAAL PUZZLE
Premier Salisbury Insists That He
Is For Peace.
YET WAR PREPARATIONS 60 ON.

Have Nine Generals Ia Command OF
Columns-A plan Of Campaign with
the Orange Free state.
London, oct 3.-No confirmation is
obtainable from any source OF the re-
port contained in a dispatch to the
Exchange Telegraph company that the
Beers have captured Dundee.
No exceptional activity was shown
at the government Offices yesterday.
Lord Lansdowne, General Lord Wolse-
ley and General Sir Evelyn Wood,
however, were busily engaged at the
war Office. General Sir Redvers Butler
called at the war office In the afternoon
and special board meeting was held.
Naturally nothing of the discussion
was made public, but It is understood
that General Sir Redvers Butler will
not proceed for the Cape until next
week, except in case OF unforeseen de-
velopments.
Many members of parliament are re-
turning to town in anticipation Of an
early summoning of the houses of par
lament II is the general impression
that, although some speakers may eX-
press disapproval of the government
policy, few will go to the extreme Of
voting against the required credit.
Sir William Vernon HarcOurt, the
Liberal leader. having, in a speech at
Tredegar said. THE first and last
word of these gold hunters is war In
order to lead to annexation" a corre-
spondent wrote to Lord Salisbury ask
ing If It were not true that the gov
ernment would make every effort to
avert war and had no desire to annex
the Transvaal If a settlement could be
obtained peacefully. Lord Salisbury
replied, answering affirmatively.
The Duke of Argyle, in reply to an
inquiry, said Sir William Vernon Har-
courts words we're pure party clap
trap.
A letter from an outlander received
in Birmingham was published yester
day If it reflects the general feeling
of the British residents in johannes
burg they must be in an awful funk.
The writer says:
"If it comes to a fight l believe the
Beers will make a massacre of it, blow
johannesburg to bits and shoot US on
sight. In fact. have been told so by
one in Office"
Reports from various arsenals and
garrisons in Great Britain testify to
the active continuance of military
preparations. The reserves have re-
ceived preliminary notice to be pre-
pared. and several regiments have
been notified to hold themselves in
readiness for active service.
The rumor that fighting had already
commenced seems to have originated
at the Woolwich arsenal.
Matters are at a standstill, and prac-
tically no dispatches from South At
rica have been received this morning.
The Morning Post again complains
editorially that, although the govern
ment put their hands to the plow In
| July, October has arrived without Wis
! ible progress having been made The
paper asks what they are waiting for,
and expresses the opinion that the
| expectant attitude maintained is hard
| ly consonant with the high sounding
| words that have been used
1t is understood that the colonial Of
| flee received an important dispatch
from Sir Alfred Miner, British high
commissioner for South Africa, yes
| terday, the contents of which, how
ever, have not been made public
The Chronicle, which has lately been
advocating the policy of sending an
| imperial commissioner-sugge ggesting for
| the post the Marquis of Dufferin and
| Ava-to meet President Kruger and
| try to arrange matters, today argues
| that the ministers now see the mis-
chief which Mr.. Chamberlain has
/ brought on the country.
The paper goes on to comment on
the speech made by the Duke of Devon
shire on Saturday last. which it char
acterizes as a remarkable appeal to the
peace party, and asks why Lord Sails
| bury and the Duke of Devonshire did
not interfere before. 1t then suggests
that the Duke of Devonshire be sent
as high plenipotentiary to negotiate
with President Kruger.
A special dispatch from Pretoria
says that General Jan Kock will com
mand the Boer forces on the Natal
| border, Commandant Cronje on the
southwestern and General Schalkbur-
ger on the eastern frontier, while Gen
eral Malan will be in command al
Rustenburg Altogether there will be
nine generals in command of columns.
A complete plan of campaign has
been arranged with the Orange Free
State.
A rigorous censorship is maintained
over all press kilograms
President Kruger addressed the
troops which started for the Natal bor-
der on Saturday, appealing to their
patriotism and wishing them godspeed
Fighting is expected by tomorrow.
a rumor, which, however, lacks con-
frmation, is current at the clubs tnaJ
the Duke of Connaught will accom-
pany Sir General Redvers Butler to
Africa as imperial commissioner to
confer with President Kruger and
President Steyn.