The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-16
1RANSVAAL On THE
VERGE OF WARFARE.
Mausers Being Distributed
Among the People.
FOREIGNERS MUST FIGHT.
New Law Compels Them to Aid
in Defending the Country.
10 Reply Yet Made to British De.
Show That the Answer Will Not
Bo FavOra rable-Geaeral Butler. In
Command Of the British Forces IN
S0uth Africa, Suspected Of Friend
shtD for the Beers, Succeeded In
HIS Command By SIR Frederick
walker, One oR Ahleot Generals.

PRETORIA, Aug. 15.-The volksraad
has amended the constitution Of the
South African republic. compelling per-
sons who are not burghers 20 cooperate
with them In the defense Of the national
territory and the suppression Of the re-
bellion.
Gen. Joubert. vice president Of the re-
public and commander-in-chief OF the
TranTaal forces. denies that the burghers
are loading their rifles and preparing for
war.
Mausers Being Distributed.
The executive council concluded its ses-
sion at 1890 p. m. when orders were issued
to the field cornets to give out Mauser
rides in exchange for Martini-Henry rifles.
A great crowd gathered to receive arms.
The possibility. of war with Great Britain
II about the only subject discussed. and
It Is generally felt the burghers should be
consulted before extreme measures are
adopted.
Buying Up Mules.
JOHANNESBURG, Aug l5-The Trans
vaal government Is purchasing all the
mules possible. paying as high as 800 for
each animal.
Warrants Out for RefOFmers.
LONDON. Aug. l5.-The johannesburg
correspondent Of the Daily Natl, who con-
firms the report that warrants have been
prepared for the arrest Of 147 members Of
the Reform party In tne Transvaal, of
which twenty-five warrants are out. says
tho date for executing the warrants In un-
certain and that the whole thing Is re-
garded az q blum.
Mai. Gen. Batter Relieved.
Maj. Gen. Sir william Francis Butler.
who. II was announced yesterday In a dis
patch from Cape Town to the Associated
Press. would be relieved as commander OF
the British forces In South Africa, as the
result, Of his alleged Boer sympathies. has
been recalled and Sir Frederick Walker
has been appointed to replace him. Walker
Is regarded as one OF the ablest generals
In the army. His appointment. therefore,
il taken TO Indicate that the situation 10
more grave.
No Reply Made Yet.
CAPE TOWN. Aug. 15-No reply has
been received here up TO the present from
the Transvaal government on the latest
British proposals. on the settlement OF the
questions In dispute, and a dispatch from
Pretoria says the reply. when sent. will be
disappointing, and II Is feared the result
win Be the breaking Of negotiations Great
anxiety prevails at the capital OF tho
Transyaai.
Situation Regarded ~ Critical.
WASHINGTON. Aug is.-The situation
I'm the Transvaal is regarded by officers
here as critical Thus far, however. the
state department has not received any
word from any source concerning the
strained condition OF affairs. and there IL
no disposition 10 take up the question
OF neutrality and the care OF our interests
In that locality unless the war is actually
framed.
Charles Mscrum is the United States con-
sal stationed at Pretoria. He has sent a
number OF reports. all OF them dealing
with commercial affairs. and has not touch
ed on the delicate political conditions ex.
ist.ng.
The United States also has a consular
agent. ]. II. .Manion. a, johannesburg. but
he has not been heard from since he was
appointed There have been recent reports
from johannesburg that coioresi black
smith claiming to be an American had been
roughly handled By the field corne,s, and
that he bad raised the question OF Ameri-
can citizenship ard had appealed 20 the
American representative. The state de-
partmens has been expecting 20 hear from
Mr. Marion. but nothing has come thus
far. Admiral Howisons return viii prob
ably shed much light on the condition Of
Affairs In the Boer country. ard the extent
ef American interests. for while the Chi
cago was In Scath African waters the sd-
usra spent mueh time at Pretoria ard
johannesburg TIE admiral has a. ye;
made no repors Of his movements