The record-union., 1899-09-27

LONDON, Sept. 26.-The general
feeling, including that of the pro-Boers,
as indicated by articles in the after
noon papers to-day, is that the pup
lished dispatches of the Secretary for
the Colonies, Mr.. Chamberlain, to the
British High Commissioner in South
Africa, Sir Alfred Miner, clears the
way for peace, if the Beers desire It.
In any event, it is pointed out that 1t
affords further delay, which in the case
of Great Britain is certainly advan-
tageous, as it gives time for the rein
forcement of the garrisons at the Cape.
The papers generally, however, express
the hope that President Kruger Will
now see his way to meet Great Brit
aims views, and the Westminster Ca
zette," which is not an anti-Boer paper,
says: president Kruger and his ad-
visors still have a chance of securing
peace with independence.
In the meanwhile. the dispatch of
troops to South Africa proceeds unin-
terruptedly Three field batteries ar
rived at Birkenhead to-day, and will
embark for Durham, Natal.
A cablegram from Capetown says:
are leaving here daily The movement
of the troops to Natal is merely a pre-
cautionary measure to secure the coal
mines, and is in nowise in the nature
of menace. There are no imperial
troops on the immediate border. Ru-
mors of collisions should be received
with caution
A dispatch from Pretoria says that
a Mauser rifle in the hands of a burgh-
er, who was practicing with it, burst
recently, and nearly killed him, with
the result that a great number of the
burghers are gravely concerned at the
apparent insecurity of the new weapon.
They assert that the cartridges are
worthless, and are appealing to the
Government to revert to the Martin,
or investigate and remedy the griev-
ances.
The Times" has a dispatch from Jo-
hannesburg which asserts that the de-
lay is creating the worst possible i'm
preston in the minds of the burghers,
who tauntingly boast that while Great
Britain deprecates delay upon the part
of the Beers, she Intentionally and un-
necessarily prolongs the controversy
because she is afraid to follow up her
own game of bluff with the arguments
of force.
Reports are heard on all sides of the
eagerness of the Beers to start hostih-
ties, and their postponement is said to
be wholly due to the restraining inf1u-
ence of General Joubert. 1t is added
that it is believed that this ,inf1uence
cannot be exercised much longer There
is a circumstantial rumor that General
Joubert has received imperative orders
from the armed burghers that unless
he is prepared to take the initiative
within brief period he must relinquish
his command of the army. This is
looked upon as an indication of the
Boer feeling.
The Times" to-day has a dispatch
from Pietermaritzburg, Natal, report
ing that a meeting which has aroused
strong feeling among the loyalists.
was held by the Afrikanders. A strong
ly worded resolution was passed ask
ing the Government to recall the COL
onist forces on the border, as their
presence there is inimcal to peace and
is calculated to cause trouble with their
fellow Afrikanders. A telegram from
Premier Schreiner was read saying the
Government was working for peace.
The meeting, notwithstanding, passed
the resolution, which was supported by
two Justices of the Peace.
The indications at the agency of the
Transvaal Government in this city
point to the belief that war is inevit
able. Preparations are being made for
removing the furniture from the head
quarters, and the gloomiest impression
in regard to the outcome of the crisis
seems to prevail
Montague White, Consul General OF
the South African Republic at London,
wishes to return to Pretoria, but was
informed by his Government that in
the event of war he would be more use,
full at Brussels.
HOPEFUL SIGNS.
CAPE TOWN, Sept 26.-The South
African News to-day prints dispatch
from Pretoria saying the alleged change
in British public opinion and the alarm
ing reports subsequent to the meeting
of the Cabinet are considered hopefui
signs
There is no official news from Bloem.
fontein. There is not the slightest
doubt though, about the attitude OF
the Orange Free State. At meeting
of Scandinavians it was unanimously
decided to support the Government.
Only twenty members of the First
Rad are in town, and it is expected
that the Legislature will dissolve at
any moment. The Jews, at meeting,
have resolved to support the Govern
ment, and have offered to equip ana
provision police corps of 200 men.
Pet Kruger, grandson of the Presi-
dent of the Transvaal, in letter to the
''Volkstein," asks whether or not it is
the Governments duty to inform the
Imperial Government that any further
landing of troops will be considered a
casus belli
There is feverish activity in all the
departments, and the dispatch of rid
ers, carrying instructions to towns re-