Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-26

skirts OF the city. Yet all business rs
dead except that dealing with the nee
essaries of life.
In all big cities of the Transvaal
fresh meat is scarce now and milk and
eggs fetch excessive prices Potatoes
and vegetables have trebled in price.
Still the Beers feel this less than the
foreign residents. first because their
habits are very frugal and again be-
cause, having anticipated warlike trou-
bles. they laid ia large consignments of
canned goods In time. The above ap-
plies TO Eoiksburg and Krugersdorp
as Well
The latest arrivals from Johannes
burg report that there and N ali other
big cities martial law has been de-
clared. though there seemed 10 be little
reason for harsh measures in VoIks-
burg and Krugersdorp. owing. TO the
preponderance of the German and
Dutch population il these towns. In
johannesburg volunteer companies are
being formed by the foreign inhabit-
ants. each contingent 10 protect the
property of the people of the:r nation
ality. AS johannesburg covers a great
deal OF ground and as the auXiliaries
may be needed elsewhere sooner or lat
er, this seems to be very wise step.
Pretoria is said TO be quiet. There is
40 floating population, and the whites
form three-fourths of the inhabitants.
For 40 miles TO the east and west of
Johannesburg the mines are closed.
AS soon as the situation portended war
the government ordered the blacks
confined to their barracks. They We're
disarmed without difficulty and paid
off. That done, they were escorted by
the thousands to the frontier. Any
black who returns before peace is es-
,,ablished will be summarily shot. Most
of the white miners have been retained
to do guard duty. They are we'll arm
ed and numerous enough to offer stub
born resistance to British or black in
vaders. The government deserves great
credit for the stand it has taken
against the liquor evil That the bars
have been closed has already been
stated, but Dom Paul did not stop
there. He has just issued an order
which makes the sale of the smallest
quantity of liquor to a, black person a
penitentiary offense. If liquor is sold
loses his life.
The Beers, say the refugees, form
probably the worst looking armed body
that ever took the field. There are as
many boys of 10 and 16 in it as men
over 60. with long, flowing white boards.
Among 1000 of them you hardly see a
single uniform. Even the field comets
abhor gold lace and brass buttons. But
their arms are of the best and lat
est pattern, Martini Henry, Mauser or
carbines. whatever the owner prefers.
Each man, too. carries a fine revolver.
It's the only luxury they allow them
selves, and many pay as much as 500
for their six shooters.
=. In the mobilization the German and
Irish corps distinguished themselves.
particularly for swiftness of move
ment. but it's doubtful whether they
will adapt themselves to the Boer tao
tics, which are similar TO those of the
Zulus. Our refugees heard during their
journey endless repetitions of the in
structions: Shoot the officers first.
Never shoot unless you are sure to
bring down a man." The general in
struction seemed to be. Look out for
yourselves and run if it's advanta-
geous."
The average Boer has a very poor
opinion OF English craftsmanship. it
seems. The refugees tell many stories
and anecdotes illustrative of Boer con-
tempt for British shooting records.
Here is one of them going the rounds
among the Dutch warriors: Some little
time before the ultimatum was issued
the English at Ladysmith determined
TO try the effect of artillery fire on liv-
ing objects. They secured 30 goats
and. after lettering them in an aban-
doned kraal.. began pouring shrapnels
and bombs into the place from a dis
lance of quarter of mile. They had
10 cannon. and the kraal stood on
considerable elevation. The lombard
ment lasted one hour, and after it was
over the goats, much to the Britishers'
surprise. were found to be uninjured,
only instead of 30 there We're - now.
a nanny having given birth to kids
during the excitement.