Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-24
TRAIN IS
FIRED ON.
The Beers Said to Have Be-
gun Hostilities In Trans
vaal In Earnest.
DUTCH ARE WE'LL ARMED
Heavy Orders for NIsuser Cartridges
Sent to Birminghan-It is Report-
ed That the Beers VIII Des-
troy n Railroad Bridge.


burg correspondent of the Times says:
'Disquieting reports have been receiv-
ed here from Natal. 1t is said that on
Sunday train from johannesburg
was fired on in Transvaal territory.
The feeling near the border is Bit
ter, and the disloyal Natal Dutch are
armed with Mausers.'
Birmingham, Eng, Aug. PA firm
of this place has received an order for
$4,000, 900 Mauser cartridges for urgent
delivery to South Africa.
Secrecy is being observed as to the
exact destination of the cartridges,
but it is said that the Beers alone use
Mauser rifles in that territory.
Lorenzo Marques, Delagoa Bay, Aug.
24.-The detained ammunition intend
ed for the Transvaal has been removed
to the Portuguese troopship India.
1t is reported the Beers contemplate
sending commands for the ammuni-
ton.
To Guard a Railroad Bridge.
Pietermaritzburg, Natal, Aug. "a
A force of police has been ordered to
Colenso owing to rumors of the inten-
ton of the Beers to destroy the rail-
road bridge at that place.
In connection with the rumor that
there are many Beers who are British
subjects and who outwardly sympa-
thize with the British while in reality
they are secret agents of President
Kruger of the Transvaal Republic, the
premier of Natal declared last evening
that it was the intention Of the gov
ernment to take steps to detect and
punish any British subjects co-operat-
ing with the enemies of the queen.
Ut is alleged that much secret infor-
nation has been conveyed to Presi-
dent Kruger, and that even ambas-
cades have been prepared for the Brit
ish troops i'll the event of war BY these
secret agents.
( Troops Being nobilized.
Cape Town, Aug. 24.-The Mafelling
Horse Regiment is lnobilizing rapidly.
Several hundred recruits have arrived
and been equipped here and have join
ed Viyiau's camp. Every train is
bringing fresh recruits at is rumored
that 400 Beers have formed laager
on the border.
From an excellent unofficial source
it is ascertained that the substance of
the Transvaal's communication to the
British government is concession of
I a five years (retro-active) franchise. u
share in the election of the president.
and an increase in the representation
of the gold fields, probably eight addi-
tional seats. and stipulation that all
other questions are 10 be submitted TO
arbitration-but not to Il foreign pow
err that Great Britain shall not use
the recent interference as Il preee-
dent. and that the British govern
ment shall relinquish all suzerainty
rights.
Dispatch From Chamberlain.
Pretoria, Aug. 24.-Conyngham
Greene, British agent and charge DAFT
fairs at Pretoria, today presented to
the government a further dispatch,
from Secretary Chamberlain the ma
ture of which has not yet been di-
vulged. The presumption is that it
| is connected with the recent pour par
! leur.
The members of the executive are
apparently more cheerful.
London, Aug. 24.-Secretary Cham
berlain has received the text of the
| Transyaal's reply to the. proposals OF
the British government. and now has
them under consideration. The mem
bers of the cabinet are wNhin reach,
but until the government has deter
mined on what course to pursue -r.
Chamber is unwilling to divulge the
contents of the message from South
Africa.
Ordered to be In Readiness.
Durham. Natal, Aug. 24.-(By Asso-
ciated Press )-,rhe men belonging to
the British first class reserve have been
ordered to hold themselves in readi-
ness to rejoin their regiments.
VIII Volunteer.
Johannesburg, Aug. 24.-(By Asso-
ciated Press.)-At meeting OF 200
Germans, a committee was appointed
to inform the Transvaal government
that the Germans are willing to vol
unteer for service in case of war.
More Troops Sail.
Southampton, Aug. e4.-(By Associa-
ted Press.) steamer Arundel
Castle sailed today with thirty officers
and 7T0 men OF the various regiments
for Cape Town.
Queen In Consultations.
London, Aug. 24.-(By Associated
Press .)-Pnmier Salisbury spent the
Iafternoon and evening with the queen.
IL is believed the grave situation in
the Transvaal matter was the cause OF
the conference.