The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-22
WILL 1T BE WAR OR PEACE?
THE TRANSVAAL SITUATION Is
MOST PUZZLING.


ItSelf-LOOlSs From StcSn's speech
as If 1t VIII side With Beers.
London, Sept. 22.-While the precise re.
suit of the secret session of the Rnad of
the Orange Free State is not yet known
here. President steyn's speech at the open
ing Of the session is regarded as an almost
infallible indication of the attitude which
the Free State will take
Commenting from this point of view, the
London morning papers are all impressed
with the added gravity of the situation,
and murmurs are beginning to be heard
regarding the dilatoriness Of the govern
ment in getting troops forward.
Military men are said TO be impatient
They assert that everything is ready and
that they are only waiting for orders.
Ii is recogn zed that the attitude of the
Orange Free State makes The original esti-
mates based upon Dutch neutrality too
small. Evidently a much larser force will
be required.
The government is faced with something
like dilemma The 9eader Of the opposi-
ton has publicly denounced the precipi
fancy of the colonial office in forcing a con-
hict. Therefore ministers are disnclined
to convoke Parliament
If, on the other hand, so large an expen-
diture as the apparent attitude of the
orange Free State would involve, should
become necessary, the government would
lie obliged to summon Parliament in order
to get adequate supplies. 1t is understood
that the money question accounts for the
dribbling manner in which the troops are
being brought forward.
Preparations Are Behind.
German military experts, realizing the
seriousness of the campaign before Great
Britain, are commenting with astonsh-
mont upon the fact that England is so be-
hind hand in her preparations. In Berlin
it is also believed that DIR. Leyds Is acting
as President kruger's evil genius and mis-
leading him by reports that he is likely to
get sympathy, If not assistance, from some
of the European Powers
A member of the Cape cabinet was pres-
ent at the meeting of the Afrkander mem
bers of the Cape Parliament yesterday.
A dispatch from Pretoria announces that
arms continue 10 be served to the bur
gheTs.
Were Like Red Rags.
London. Sept 21-The speech OF Sir Will
leader to his constituents al New Trede-
gar, dast night and the message of the
Care Town Alrikander members Of Par
lament 10 President Kruger have proved
red rags to the "war-at-any-price party.
The Cape papers declare the action of rle
members of Parliament amounts almost 10
treason, and the same terms are applied
to Sir william Harcourt's remarks by the
English anti-Boer papers.
Those who claim the situation has not
yet passed the Rubicon OF pacific negotia-
tons, see in President Kruger's answer to
the Afrkanders genuine desire to avoid
host1-ities. Nevertheless preparations for
that evenluaity continue energetically on
both sides.
The latest report of Boer activity ema-
mates from Newcastle, Natal saying the
Transvaal forces are encamped at lands
print and intend to raid Natal immediate
ly after they understand that Mr.. Cham
berlain's reply IS not satisfactory.
The British army nursing service sails
from Southampton tomorrow, and Maj
Gen. French sails Saturday. He goes 10
Durham, Natal to command the cavalry
brigade.
The foregoing includes all the actual de-
velopments, but they help little TO solve
the universal question, win there be
war;"
II Is Not satisfactory.
The answer Of President steyn Of the
Orange Free State to Sir Alfred Miner,
the British high commissioner of South
Africa, is not regarded as a satisfactory
explanation of the Free States position,
and by no means dissipated the increased
seriousness with which the situation is re-
garded Since the first ii has been re-
ported that the Free Stale would aggres-
sively assist the Transvaal
Vanity Fair, frequently well informed re-
Rarding political secrets, to-day emphati-
cany reiterates the assertion that there
viii be no war. 1t says
president Kruger is an old man. but
he is no dotard. He would like to get mis-
own way, but not at the cost of defeat.
Climb down he viii. We maintain the be-
lief that there will be no war"
Vanity Fair takes the view, which Is
shared by several weeklies. that the
alarmlst daily papers have created a fc-
titiOus crisis.
Conservative sitting Of the conflicting
opinions and rumors now prevailing re-
garding the outcome OF the dispute. viii
be more practicable after Tomorrow
cabinet meeting, though the official an
nouncement of the ministers decision IS
likely to be delayed few days
what viii the Free state DO.
Bloemfonteln, Orange Free State. Sept.
2l-The Volksraad met to-day with fun
attendance.
President steyn read carefully pre-
pared speech. After welcoming the
burghers he expressed regret that the re-
lations between Great Britain and the
Transvaal had become strained. The
members, he said, were aware OF the meet
ing Of Sir Alfred Miner and President
Kruger at B.oomfontein, when President
Kruger made proposals which. although
refused by the Brush high commissioner,
were unanimously considered throughout
the Orange Free State to be exceedingly
fair.
Proceeding 10 review the negotiations,
President Steyn said the Transyaal had
been decOyed by the British diplomatic
agent al Pretoria, Conyngham Greene, ana
he practically accused the imperial gov
eminent Of q breach OF faith.
He said he was disinclined to advise the
Transvaal government 20 accept the lat |
est British demands. The present critical |
state OF affairs could not be matter OF
Indifference to the Orange Free State, |
which was bound by treaty to afford as.
slstance 10 the Transva8l. and he had
therefore, convened the Volksraad to de.
eide what attitude should be taken