New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-06
WILL BE A SHORT WAR.
Continued from nrst page.
tically safeguarded against the risk Of sue

FEAR tho naSSlDB Ol tut Dotlo H''Hb N''N
and in fact It has been provided that the
Beers shall not make sudden invasion In the
territory The Natal authorities are rather
pleased with this because. they argue. the ten
sion Of waiting will tell severely on the Beers
discipline Moreover they will soon exhaust
what little forage there ~ near the border and
be compelled TO fall back on their base. because
in view Of the defective commissariat. they are
unwilling to advance into Natal. leaving behind
them a forageless veldt.
Advlces from Adershot convey the informa-
ton that General Sir Redvers Butler, who IS to
assume the chief command OF the British forces
IN South Africa is opposed 10 the presence OF
a large number Of war correspondents with his
forces. and wishes to limit the correspondents
to twelve representatives OF the leading British,
Indian and Colonial agencies and newspapers.
including in this number the foreign correspond
ents
4 dispatch from Perth. capital Of West Aus
tralla Announces that the Government Of the
colony has decided to dispatch a West Austria
liam contingent to the Cape.
Advices from Cape Town received last night
assert that both J. H. Hofmeyr, the Afrikander
leader in Cape Colony, and ex-Chief Justice
Kotze have expressed the opinion that the In
perial Government acted in the interests OF peace
I'm demanding the suppression Of the Transvaal
agency in Brussels and the recall Of DR.. Leyds.
the Transvaals European representative. Sir
Alfred Miner British High Commissioner in
South Africa, has already reported in this sense
to Mr. Chamberlain.
Increased activity IS being shown at Wool
wich. and It IS alleged that provision is being
made there to send supplies for two army corps.
Four hundred tons Of material and munitions Of
war have already been shipped FOR Africa
ffo..- QIrra f,v
ham last evening were scenes Of much disturb
ance At the Birmingham meeting crowds OF
jingoes invaded the hall, cheering Mr.. Chamber
lain and singing Rule. Britannia" and the ora
tors had to be content to shout their speeches
into the reporters ears. The meeting ended alb
ruptIy without any resolutions being put.
A special dispatch from Pretoria says that
President KRUGER expresses himself strongly at
being prevented by the Executive Council from
going to the front. He is reported to have said:
Some people say I am the cause Of the pres
ent trouble, and I want to take my share Of
fighting with my people
The same dispatch announces that Command
ant General Jouhert's wife has started to Join
her husband on the border.
Heavy rains have fallen and the sandspruit
River is flooded.
Intelligence from Cape Town includes an ON
cia denial OF the rumor that the British have
crossed the Transvaal frontier near Kimberley.
There is very definite feeling throughout the
Cape that the British delay IN forwarding rein
forcements is dangerous. The utmost enthu-
sasm prevails and many are anxious to place
their services at the disposal Of the Government
Some Of the refugees from johannesburg now
in Cape Town are resorting TO acts OF Violence
smashing windows and thieving
It is reported that another Rand shipment OF
bullion to the value OF 100000 Is In danger Of
connscaton by the Transvaal authorities.
PETITION TO THE QUEEN
A petition to Queen Victoria. signed by fifty
eight members Of the Cape House Of Assembly
has been forwarded through the British High
Commissioner. Sir Alfred Miner pointing out
that the petitioners. who arc related by blood
and through marriage TO residents OF the Trans
vaal are materially interested in the mainten-
ance OF peace, urging the abandonment OF war
Ike measures. "as the Transvaal Is now fuly
awakened 10 the wisdom Of liberal CONCESSIONS
and praying Her Majesty to appoint commits
sion forthwith 10 confer with the Beers as the
petitioners are convinced that II the present
franchise act is inadequate the Transvaal GOV
eminent is prepared to make further conces-
sions TO the Outlanders. The petitioners IN
closing declare thtI lOytl uSNO'4o4 ~ '''~ N'''0
and person Of the Queen.
MR.. CHAMBERLAINs REPLY.
To-day the Secretary Of state for the Colonies
AR Chamberlain. sent the following reply:
Tho immortal Government is not unmndful Of
the svnpathies and interest Of British subjects OF
Dutch descent in South Africa. one OF the main
objects Of the imperial policy IS 10 secure Tor me
non Dutch inhabitants OF the IransVadl rsn1s
+ qfr1flor O those enjoyed Dy the
Dutch in Cape Colony. The Imperial Govern
mont has shown the Transvaal every consldera-
lion consistent with this object and deeply re-
grets that It's efforts for q peacelui settlement
have hitherto been unsuccessful
The imperial authorities are unable to ADOPT
the suggestion of the petition for the reasons
1901 IN the note TO the Transvaal Of Septem-
her 70 In view Of the refusal or me IrahsNadl
| IN entertain that moderate and conclliatory oler
the imperial authorities nave Deen coinpele 60 ~
formulate their own proposals regarding ma
eattIen,ent which Will shortly be communicated
10 the TransvaaL
Stories Of outrages committed by the Beers
mon refugees from the Transvaal continue 10
nour in. A bad incident occurred at krons'ad'
where a deputa'ion from uainload or TWO
thousand refugees attempted to buy provisions
hut were driven out by Beers armed with
"blacksnake" whips.
Although to-day's news from South Africa Is
Enthusiastically grave, the advocates Of peace sun
derive a glimpse Of hope from some Of the dis
patches that the stage Of negotiation Is not yet
finally terminated.
UNTRUSTWORTHY INFORMATION
The news is contradictory. Side by side with
the announcement that the Beers have occupied
Laings Mex printed dispatch from Pre-
toria stating that the Transvaal Government
has issued strict niunctons to the command
ants that British territory must not be invaded
and that Commandant General Joubert has Is
sued a proclamation threatening 10 shoot any
man who crosses the border.
Scarcely had tho advocates Of peace exchanged
congratulations over the announcement from