The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-21
BOERS NOW LOOK FOR WAR.
EVERY PREPARATION BEING MADE
FOR STUBBORN DEFENCE.
Said to Have Announced That Further
Movement Of British Troops Toward the
Border VIII be Considered an Unfr iendiy
Act - Some Boer Omcers Arc Urging
the Beginning of Hostiiitiss at Once.

Border VIII be Considered an Unfr iendly
Act - Some Boer Oficers Arc Urging
the Beginning of Hostiiitiss at Once.
Special Gable Dsipatehes 10 THE Sun.
LONDON. Sept. 20.-A despatch to the Central
News from Pletermarltzburg. Natal. says 1t is
stated on good authority that the Transvaal
has notified Sir Alfred Miner. the British High
Commissioner. that any further movement OF
troops toward fhe Transvaal border will be re-
Rarded as an unfriendly act.
The London ONCE ofthe johannesburg Sand
ard and Di9oers' Netcs has received the follow
Ing despatch: Every preparation Is being
made for a stubborn defence. The whole
aim Of the Transvaals negotiations is to
secure nnality regarding the questions
raised. Bitter complaint 10 made OF Sir
Alfred Miners reservations and undisclosed
matters. The South African Republic sim
cerely desires q peaceful settlement. but be-
lieves that influential capitalists are de-
termined to obtain possession OF the country:
otherwise. Mr.. Cham berlain would agree to
arbitration"
Sir Walter Peace. Agent General OF Natal. in
a speech to- light at a banquet given by West
ralian mining officials in London. referred to
the Englishmen In the Transvaal. who. he
said. did not dare to speak above their
breath. They were oppressed by the wick
euebb kONoEum0ut uuueE tuo IL tho
British Government proceeded OH the lines al
ready laid down. South Africa's future would
be settled in three months. He added: There
may be- q chancc-God grant it-of q peaceful
solution. but II this cannot be found then God
send war" This sentiment evoked prolonged
cheers from the banquetters.
Continuing. Sir Walter declared that in the
event OF war many OF his relatives aud friends
would. perhaps. be ruined. but they could start
life afresh. He would not abandon tho hope
| OF peace. but II the sword was drawn he prayed
| that 1t would not be sheathed until Ii had gone
to the root OF the evil
Sir William Vernon Harcourt. formerly
| Chancellor OF the Excheauer and leader Of
| the Liberals in the House OF Commons
made an important speech on the Trans
vaa difficulty to-day at New Tredegar. He
| denied the Transvaals right to be treated
| as a sovereign International State. but said
| the Beers could not fairly be accused
| Of obstinacy or undue delay In agree
ing to settlement. Their reluctance
| to grant o wide franchise reform was
natural In view OF the Jameson raid. and
the efforts OF the league pledged to destroy
| their independence. He did not think
that the Transvaals offer OF a Ave years
in consequence OF the conditions at
tached to it. These conditions were not
unreasonable. They fully accorded with the
| Convention OF 1884. and should have been
accepted. Unfortunately. the Transvaal had
| now Withdrawn the offer. In this he
| thought tho Transvaal was wrong, but he
was convinced after the deepest reflection
there was no easus belli and should be no war
| over the franchise question. War would leave
an inheritance o; undying hatred. 1t would
be a dreadful close OF the expiring century and
| ~ oil rail Ha honal ha y0ipa n
reason would prevail and such a shameful
catastrophe be averted.
| The Morning Posts Pietermaritzburg. Natal,
| correspondent sends the following despatch
Letters from johannesburg and Pretoria
/ say the Beers are determined on war They
consider that they can expect nothing else
after the last Transvaal despatch and are pre-
pared for the consequences.
IAN their arrangements are complete, and
they only await two days rain for the begin
ming OF hostilties. The Beers are conRregat-
ing at Standerton with the express intention
OF selling Maiuba. Laing's Neck and Newcastle
the moment an ultimatum arrives.
"Boer artillery Is distributed along the Natal
border and deiences have been prepared at the
| lead mines thirty miles south east OF Jacobsda
| to resist the English In case the MafekinR col
umn should follow DR.. Jameson's route"
A despatch to the Times from Johann burg
states that well-intormed burRhers are advs.
ing their Utlsnder friends to leave Inn med.
lately as martial law will probably be
proclaimed before the end Of the
Government will insist that all persons
not favoring the Beers shall leave the
TEansvaal within forty eight hours. "A gen.
tlsman having access to the inner circles Al
Pretoria" confirms the story that a despatch
has been received from Colonial Secretary
Cham bsrlain demanding the dismantling o.
the Boer forts and the reduction OF a-mamsnts
Seventy five per cent. OF the leading Pretorif
officials talk OF nothing but war which 10 70
garded as a foregone conclusion.
Tho Colonial Office officially denies AM
knowledge OF the reported despatch from Col
onial Secretary Cham bsrlain to tho Transvaa
Govern ment. demanding the dismantling o
the Boer forts and tho partial disarminE OF tn;
burRhers
The corn market farmers OF Yarmouth ar,
holding their wheat as they believe war will
the Transvaal Is imminent. In such an even
they anticipate q big advance in the price o
wheat.
LONDON. Sept. 2l.-Ths Johan nesbure cor
respondent OF the Morning Post cables unde
date OF Tuesday that Boer officers are urg
ing the Government to begin hostilitie
before the British re-inforcements arrive
II appears that only a feeling of su
perstition prevents the adoption o
this course. 1t is stated unofflclally
that II the next British despatch refuses ar
bitration the Beers will begin war. II no rer
Ia received by Thursday tho BoerS will regar'
the forwarding OF British troops as casu
bolIi. Commandant- General Joubert state
that he will not allow correspondents to ac
company the Boer troops in the event Of war.
CAPE Town. Sept. 2O-It is stated thai 81