The record-union., 1899-09-29
The WAR CLOUD
THICkENING.
Intense Excitement Continues to
Prevail at Pretoria.
New Believed There Is No Escape From a
Conflict With England.
The Beers Massing Around vry-
he1d IN Readiness to Make a
Dash in Force Through a Por-
tion of ZuluIand, Unless the
British Reinforcements Across
the Border Cease.

LONDON, Sept. 2S.-The decision of
the Volksraad of the Orange Free State
to join with the Transvaal in the event
of hostilities, although fully expected, is
the leading news to-day, and will natu-
rally stiffen the Beers independent at
titude. The Raad's resolution has made
the brotherhood of arms between the
Transvaal and the Orange Free State, OF
which hitherto there was only a strong
probability, an absolute certainty, and
the British will have to face the situ-
alton.
The Volksraad's resolution was as
follows:
THE Raad having read Paragraph 2
of the Presidents speech and the Off
cial documents and correspondence
submitted herewith;
Having regard also for the strained
state of affairs throughout the whole of
South Africa, which has arisen in con-
sequence of the difference between the
Imperial Government and the Govern
ment of the Transvaal, which threatens
to lead to hostilities, the calamitous
consequence of which to the white in
habitants will be immeasurable;
Being connected with the Transvaal
by the closest ties of blood and confed-
eracy;
And standing in the most friendly
relationship with the Imperial Govern
ment, and fearing that, should war
break out, a hatred between the Eu
ropean races will be born which will
arrest and retard the peaceful develop
ment of all the States and colonies of
Africa and develop a distrust of the
future;
Feeling that the solemn duty rests
upon it of doing everything possible to
avoid the shedding of blood;
Considering that the Transvaal Gov
ernment during its negotiations with
the Imperial Government, which have
extended over several months, has
made every endeavor to arrive at
peAceful solution of the differences
raised by the aliens of the Transvaal
and taken up by the Imperial Govern
ment as its own cause, which endeavors
have, unfortunately, had only this re-
suit, that British troops were concen-
trated on the border of the Transvaal
and are still being strengthened; there
FORE
Resolved That we instruct the Gov
ernment to still use every means to
maintain and insure peace and, in
peaceful manner, to contribute toward
the solution of the existing difficulties,
provided it be deemed not violating the
honor and principles of the Free State
and the Transvaal, and wish the Min
1if@,a fIoraf
there exists no cause for war, and that
war against the TranSvaal, as now ur-
dertaken or occasioned by the Imperial
Government, will morally be a war
against the whole white population or
Africa. and in its consequences. for,
come what may, the Free State will
honestly and faithfully fulfill its obli-
cations toward the Transvaal, by vir-
tue of the political alliance between the
two republics"
Intense excitement continues to pre-
vail at Pretoria, where, apparently, it is
believed that there is no escape from
war. The commission appointed to con-
slider the matter reported to-day as TO
what officials are necessary to carry on
the Government in the event OF war
and fixing their salaries.
The field cornet at Pretoria is again
serving out rifles, communicating Is
actively proceeding and all prepara-
tions are being made to take the held,
An Englishman named Robertson mas
been arrested at johannesburg, charged
with high treason. He is alleged 70
have enlisted recruits for the Imperial
Light Horse
The Burghers are getting uneasy at
the concentration of British troops be-
tween Ladysmith and Laing's Mex.
especially at Glencoe and Dundee. The
nominal reason for the concentration
is the protection of the Dundee coal
fields. but the Burghers shrewdly sus-
meet that the real reason is the forma-
tion of a force which will advance
across the Transvaal frontier at Wy
hold as soon as war is declared
The Beers do not intend to be caught
nanping. and are now massing around
yrvheid. not, however, merely as a
protective measure, but to be prepared,
unless the British re-enforcements
across the border cease, to make dash
in force through a portion of Zululand.
crossing the Buffalo River at a point
below Rorkes' Drift and then, seizing
the railroad to- cut off the British gar
rison at Dundee and Ladysmith from
the south, which would not only inter-
rlpt the British lines of communication
but would seriously interfere with
forward movement. In order to watch
this portion of the railroad exposed to
/ a Boer incursion, a British post will
be established at Rorkes' Drift.
| A dispatch from Mafeking, in British
Bechuanaland, just across the Trans
vaal border, says stream of destitute
people. is arriving there from Jahannes-
| burg.
A British infantry detachment, with
some engineers, has arrived at Deaar,
southwest of the Orange Free State,
and an important railroad junction.
Extensive fortifications will be thrown
UP there and the town will be made the
base of operations from that side
against the Orange Free State, or the
Transvaal. More troops will shortly ar
| rive at Deaar.
! From Cape Town comes the news that
at meeting of the Ministerialists there
it was unanimously resolved to petition