The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-09-18

for the Colonies &c. the imperial pariia-
ment."
MEAN TO FIGHT.
London Papers Consider War to Ne
Assured.
London, September IS.-Ths Morning
Post says: "The Boers mean TO fight.
That is the plain English OF it.s
The Standard says; "The Transvaal
note is unsatisfactory and indeed q
dangerous composition. 1t might be GO
ing too far to say that the last hope OF
peace has vanished or that diplomacy has
said Its final word; but 1t Is IDLE to deny
that tine rulers of the Transvaal have
brought their country very close TO the
brink Of O disaster which the British
government has done Its b,st to avert"
The Daily Mail says: president
Kruger's defiance has terminated long
period OF unrest and uncertainty In South
AFRICA, for whatever may be the Issue Of
the present situation, one thing lie cer-
tain; that dualism in South Africa will
end forever
The Daily Chronicle says: 1--WE regret
that the Roers by rejecting fair offer
made In fair language have taken a line
giving fresh point to the argument of
their enemies that President Kruger is q
shifty and impracticable politician, at
only to bs spoken to ACROSS a line OF basil
nets"
The extracts fairly represent press
m tt4o In Il
acterizs the attempt to represent Mr..
| Conyngham Green as suggesting the
Transvaal's former proposals as mere
shifty prevsrication.
The Cape Town correspondent of the
Daily Mall says: "Afrikander Bund cir
Giles profess to have information that
President Mckinley has interviewed bs-
tween Great Britain and the Transssa,. .
London, September is.-The reply Of
the Transvaal government to Mr.. Cham
berlain's latest note is said TO cover nine
pages. 1t is eminently OF the negative
and inconclusive' character which Mr.
| Chamberlain declared would compel the
imperial government to consider the sit
uation affesh. 1t practically repudiates
suzeraiuty. reverts to the ssven years
franchise and decli mes to give equality to
the Dutch and E ng lish languages in the
Volksraad.
In short. it is politely negative and
defiant. The full text may not be avail
able for a day or two, but 1t will not
change the aspects Of affairs. The cabi-
net will probably meet on Wednesday or
Thursdav eo oonsIdor tha uaxt aAan
PREPARING FOR WAR.
London, September 1s.-AlI the de s.
patches from South Africa this morning
talk of the imminsnoe of hostIlitiss and
burg 1t sesms to be taken for granted that
the Orange Free s.ate has approved Presi-
dent Kruger's note and promised active
assistance in the event OF war.
An official telegram posted at Volksi u st
says that the Transvaal with the assent
of the Orange Free state, repudiates Brit
fish suzerainty and adheres to the soven
years franchise.
At Caps Town 1t Is said that Mr.. Hof-
meyer, the Afrikander leader. sent a com-
munioation TO President Steyn Of the
Orange Free state, entreating him to do
his utmost to preserve peace, but that
he received in answer the words "too
late"
All military men agree that 1t Is out of
the question to begin hostile operations
bsfore the middle of next month, no rain
having fallen and the vsldt being stiI
bare.
1t Is supposed that the next move CON-
templated by the Transvaal is an appeal
to the powers. begging them to recon-
mend arbitration on the lines or the CON-
ference at The Hague.
A despatch from Charles Town says the
widest rumors are current there and that
great alarm is felt owing to the unpro.
tscted state of the town especially as Roer
signalling is plainly visible ON the ada
cant mountains.
There was serious disturbance In the
market square Of Jonnesburg on Satur-
day. meetlng called By labor agita.
tor named Balm, to condemn British poll
cy and TO en.oll volunteers to fight for the
Beers. led to serious fights with the police
lasting two hours. Many persons were
injured, among them the recently notori.
Gus DR.. Matthews who led a charge
against mounted policeman. An i'm
mense crowd singing "Rule Britannia, >"
accompanied him to the police Office.