The Topeka state journal., 1899-09-27
OEEPENS.
Great Britain and the Trans
vaal Each Convinced
That the Other is Determined
on War.

London, Sept 27.-The Transvaal sit
uation remains unchanged though IL
anything the feeling of gloom has
deepened.
Cablegrams from Pretoria and Cape
Town show that the general impression
prevails there that the Beers viii not
Fecede from their position and that the
feeling of unrest at Pretoria has been
intensified. A dispatch today announces
that the TransVaal government has be-
gun TO appoint officers to go TO the
front in case of hostilities.
The executive council of the Trans
Vaal had a prolonged sitting yesterday
and has been in constant telegraphic
communication with the Orange Free
State
No decision, it is now said. regarding
the attitude of the Free State has yet
been reached
The TransvaaFs reply to the dispatch
of the secretary of state for the COL
Onies, Mr.. Chamberlain. Will be drafted
today and submitted to the raad in
secret session. The members appear
convinced that Great Britain is de-
termined on war. Being anxious NOT to
force Great Britsin's hand, the Beers
will not take any definite steps until
the draft of their reply is cOnsidered-
but notice has been issued TO the
burghers to be in readiness for com
Wandering, which commences shortly
A quantity of arms chiefly Martini
rifles, have been distributed
The Orange Free State raad contin-
ueS in secret session
A telegram from Johannesburg says
an American named Blake is raising an
American corps of five hundred men
for the Beers on the Cape side the
dispatches show great military activi-
ty in the direction of the frontier The
camp at Dundee now consists OF two
regiments of infantry. a HuSsar reef-
ment, two field batteries. one mountain
battery, and a detachment Of engi-
neers.
The Kings rifles are now eneamped
at Lady Smith and the Fifth Lancers
are arriving there
The authorities have been unable to
overcome the trouble with the Cape
drivers, who refuse to accompany the
mountain batteries to the front from
Lady Smith which is one of the bases
of operations.
An armored train hurriedly completed
at Cape Town left there at midniRhE
for Lady Smith. It consists of a pow
erful engine with a q inch boiler q
tender and three cotton cars The whole
outfit is painted Khaki color. is loop
hoIed for rifles and a machine gun. and
is capable of carrying 120 men
The Bechuanaland border is closely
patTolled, day and night.
Most of the British residents have
left Pieterma aritzburg. Natal and the
it is announced. comma nds of 250 burg
hers will shortly proceed.
It is reported that the Boer agents
have made large purchases of grain at
Durham
The inhabitants of several townships
on the frontier have appealed to Sir Al
fred Miner. the British high commits
sioner in South Africa to send them
military protection
A dispatch to the Pail Mall Gazette
from Cape Town reports evidences OF
unrest among the Griquas and Pondcs
and a section Of the Bechuauas and
MatabeIes. It is feared they will revolt
in the event Of war
The war Office has ordered the whole
transport and supply for an army corTss
to prepare to proceed to the Cape This
is a very important order and implies
the early dispatch of any army corps
The men of % companies are being
medically examined at Aldershot toGav-
The Currie line has just received an
order from the admiralty to prepare the
Braemar Castle of that line to sail for
the Cape October 6, with 1.4OO officers
and men. This is an entirely fresh
batch of troops and the composition OF
it is unknown.
The Currfe line has been compelled to
cancel its passenger list which was
made up and wOrkmen have been sent
to transform the Braemer Castle Into a.
transport.
In spite of these war like preparations
South African circles in London stfll
believe there viii be no war and that
| the Beers will finally concede the Brit
ish demands.