Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-11

streets OF London this morning when the
New South Wales Lancers traversed the city
to embark for South Africa. Tens OF
thousands assembled to do homage to the
little handful of soldiery representing the
empires loyalty.
From the arrival of the squadron at
Waterloo station to the embarking on the
railway train at Fenchurch street station
tumutuous scenes OF wild enthusiasm
marked the route traversed. The bands
were allowed to play nothing but Soldiers
of the Queen" Rule Britannia and God
Save the Queen" in which the dense crowds
joined.
1t is doubtful If such frenzied welcome
was ever before witnessed in London. There
was an incessant roar of cheer and ssng
until the Mansion house, the official
residence Of the lord mayor Of London, was
reached. Here traffic was completely blocked
by the surging throngs, and it was only
with the greatest difficulty that the lord
mayor, Sir John Voce Moore, in the full
robes OF Office restrained the singing and
vociferous cheering while he addressed the
troops, wishing them Godspeed and ex
pressing the interest of the country in their
heroic determination to assist in asserting
imperial authority in South Africa.
Sir John Moore said: II hope there will
not be war, but the necessities OF the
moment require a demonstration of author
ity.''
An inspiring scene closed with the sing
ing of the national anthem, the lord mayor
leading.
A similar demonstration took place at
Fenchurch street station. The windows In
the neighborhood were crowded with sight
seers who showered miniature union jacks
and squares of bunting bearing portraits
of the queen upon the passing troops. When
the station was reached an incident occurred
typical Of the readiness Of the cclonsts to
fight. Viscount Hampden, former governor
and commander-in chief Of New South
Wales, was present. sergeant major
stepped forward and drew Lord Hampden's
attention to the fact that he was wearing
the same sword used by his lordship when
the latter belonged to the New South Wales
lancers. Lord Harnpden was about to ex
anime the weapon when the sergeant major
cautioned him, saying: That sword has
been sharpened and is ready for active
service.'
The representatives from all the military
centers show that the mobilization orders
are received with the greatest enthusiasm
row that President Kruger has crossed the
Rubicon and taken the irrevocable step OF
Issuing an ultimatum. The only wonder is
why, If President Kruger is resolved upon
fighting, he has waited so long. The ex-
PLANTATION seems to be that his hand has been
forced by the fact that the Beers have got
out OF control or that II he awaited the
arrival OF the British army corps, the
chances of military success for him would
be of the slimmest possible character.
hn HaYn nirot Nf Iip,it of tl1
ultimatum tomorrow evening does not leave
Great Britain much time to strengthen the
present military position, although there are
still few troops at Durham, Natal, available
for dispatch to the front, but the govern
| ment will doubtless now adopt the suggestion
| to form the refugees from the Rand into VOL
| unteer regiments thus, while relieving their
distress. utilizing excellent material.
Outside of the momentous news of the uti-
matum nothing OF moment has been received
! this morning from the scene Of action ex-
cept the announcement that the Beers have
| constructed forts commanding :-a!ag's Mex
and that guns have been mounted on Mount
| Pogwane and Mount Prospect
| The Transvaal ultmatum 1t is understood,
| is on the way to the British foreign office.
| According to the latest advices the time
| limit expires tomorrow afternoon at 8
O'Clock, when II the demands of the Beers
| are not complied with, further landing or
| dispatch Of troops will be considered an act
OF war and hostilties will commence i'm
mediately.
| In ordinary circumstances, as Great Brit
! ain is the aggressor. 1t would be the dis
| patcher OF the ultimatum and the fact that
| the, Beers have taken the initiative is re-
! garded as rendering the situation more seri-
GUS and increasing the helplessness of avert
| ing war.
A dispatch from Durham, Natal, dated yes
| terday, says:
| The Gordon Highlanders and all the
| troops that arrived from India today have
| been ordered to Ladysmith
| The coal that was seized by the Orange
Free State authorities has been released
tho officials explaining that it was seized be-
cause they thought the Transvaal mines were
! likely to close"
! A special dispatch from Bloemfontein, cap
] ital of the Orange Free State, notes the diff
| culties in working the railroads owing to
! the designations of the employees. The Or
ange Free State authorities are already bor-
| rowing engineers from the Transyaal