The Jersey City news., 1899-11-14
THREATS UNCREDH'ED
Rumors That Beers Will
Shoot British Officers
Unless Marks is
Released.
fRv Gable to The Associated Press.l

L
LONDON. Nov. a. 1S99.-Nothing is
known either at the War Office or the
Colonial Office here regarding the alleged
official statement cabled from Cape Town,
saving that Secretary Reitz, in behalf OF
the -Transvaal Government, has demanded
that General White Immediately release
Nathan Marks, a supposed spy, who is
confined at Ladysmith, adding that Presi-
dent Kruger threatens. If Marks is exc
cuted. to retaliate by shooting six British
officers in the hands of the Beers.
It IS further asserted from Cape Town
that Marks entered Ladysmith, after the
investment of that place, with the sup
nosed object of obtaining information for
the Beers. and one version of the story
is that the Transvaal authorities nave
threatened to execute six British officers II
the supposed spy is not released, to Wnicn
General Butler is said to have replied that
the British were entitled to retain the
man until he should render satisfactory
account of himself.
Both stories, it is asserted, bear the
imprint of improbability, as there is no
reason to think the Beers would be
guilty of such complete change from
their previous correct attitude and man
ner of conducting the hostilities. Never
theless, the sensational afternoon news
papers here are already demanding tnat
President Kruger and all the members
of the Executive Council be ruthiessiy
hanged, as the only fitting reprisai IN
the event Of State Secretary Reitz's threat
being carried out
That General Whites relief is consider
ed a matter of pressing Importance is
again evidenced by the satisfaction with
which the officials heard of the arrival
of the transport Armenian at Cape Town
Yesterday. a couple of days before her
time. The nonarrival Of her precious
freight of field guns and ammunition
fhrea tened serious delay in General
Methuens arrangements for the relief Of
General White 1t is true that the First
Division still lacks cavalry. but in all prob
ability the first arrivals of that arm at
Cape Town will be sent to Durham, IT.
respective of which division they were
originally assigned to. There IS no DOUBT
that the bombardment of Ladysmith has
increased in intensity during the last few
days and. though all messages from there
speak of the confidence of the defenders,
a load Of anxiety will he removed from the
ton with the beleagured town is re-estab-'
Mshed. snrqiWW
The ALLEGATIONS of Father Matthews
have made painful impression and there
Is a disposition to dIscredit them as be-
ing merely the excited view of non
conbatant ignorant of real military re-
ouirements.. Nevertheless. his story has
added. immensely to the anxiety of those
who had relations at the Battle OF Mich
olson's Mex as they now have the dread
of dishonoring exposure.
Considerable feeling has been aroused
by the announcement that Sir William
Butler. former commander at the Cape,
will not command the troops on the oc-
casion of the Queens visit to Bristol to-
morrow. AS General Butler commands
the Western District. his absence from
this ceremony is remarkable, and Is at
tributed to fears Of a hostile demonstra-
tion. owing to his unpopular attitude with
reference to the Transvaal.
It is reported that the officials at Cape
Town are now stopping all foreign Off
cial kilograms, whether in code or other
wise. except messages to the Governor Of
Portuguese. East Africa, and Portugal,
Later in the day the Eastern Telegraph
Company formally announced that, in ac-
cordance with the instructions OF the
Postmaster General of Cape Colony, no
foreign government dispatches, either IN
secret code or cipher, can be transmitted
via the Cape except messages between
Portugal and the Governor General Of
Lorenzo Marques.
The Admiralty has chartered the White
81 = line Astaa1ner Majestic to convey