Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-10-02
SILENCE THAT IS OMINOUS
With Reference 10 krusers Reply to
Chamberlain War Preparations.

London, Oct. at is said the
question of the meeting of the cabinet
tomorrow depends largely on devel-
opments in the Transvaal. The re-
markable absence of news from South
Africa this morning leads to the be-
lief that there has been widespread
cutting of the wires or extra censor
ship. Had the beers not determined
to fight it out they would, it is
thought, have sent some temPorizing
reply. All the hanging back seems to
be on Briton's side. The work of
mobilization of the army corps is ap-
parently proceeding in 4 curiously
leisurely manner. 1t appears the
calling out of the first-class army re-
serves is hoax.
An advertisement appeared this
morning announcing the formation of
corps of gentlemen rough riders,
patterned after Roosevelt's, for ser
vice in South Africa.
London, Oct. There is great ex-
citement at Capetowu, where it is re-
ported the Beers have occupied La
ings Mex.
New York, Oct. 2.-Charles ID.
Pierce, consul general of the Orange
Free State. today received cable
gram relative to affairs in the Trans
vaal. Pierce declined to make it pub
lie, but declared that the president of
the Orange Free State mad made an
Intellectual effort to induce President
Mckinley to request the other power
full nations to act with the United
States as arbitrators between England
and the Transvaal.
London. OCT. THE Berlin CORE
spondent of The Daily News says: Ac-
cording 10 advices from The Hague
DIR. Leyds. the European representa-
tive of the TransvaaL has named Tues
day as the day for formal decIara
tion Of war 10y the Beers.
London. Oct. Not the faintest
hint iS allowed to escape aS 10 what
diplomatic communications. if any. are
passing between London and South
Africa. So far as the public is con
eerned matters have not advanced
since Friday. II is noticeable that not
even the Brussels agency of the Trans
Vaal government has yet given Kru-
gers latest note TO the press. The
silence maintained on both sides is
regarded as ominOus. From South
Africa the news is wholly concerned
with fevcrish preparations for hostili-
ties. Late Saturday the Beers eStab-
lished a camp at Scheepers Mex. near
Vryhoid. and they will mobilize a great
force on the Buffalo river today. which
the authorities At Dundee expect will
move across the border ro that spot.
probably at once. Ii is believed that "A
conflict at this point will certainly oc-
cur early in the week.
The British camp in the vicinity of
Dundee consists of 5000 men. with
twenty-four guns in strong position.
Telegraph wires between Natal and
Johannesburg have been cut since
Friday. According to dispatches from
Pretoria complete chaos regins there.
The government has declared mora
torium Gan emergency act of legisla-
tom authorizing the government bank
TO suspend specie payments for Civ
en- period. closed all the courts and
suspended the English papers II is
said that there will be nearly 10000
burghers along the borders by this
evening. In johannesburg warrants
have been issued for the arrest OF I
some fifty prominent outlanders and
journalists. but all received timely
warning and got safely away