Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-06
VAGUE AND CONTRADICTORY
england Almost 1t Loss TO Know How IA
View TransYaai Situation.

London, Sept 5.-The latest news re-
ccved IN this city from various point.
~ South Africa is vague and contra
dictory- Nothing is known regarding
the status Of the negotiations between
Great Britain and the Transvaal than
what was learned. Monday.
The officials Of the British war office
emphatically deny that the reserves
have been called out or that any stepq
have been taken to that end.
The afternoon newspapers follow tha
lead Of the morning papers in taking
an extremely grave view Of the sjtua.
ton, although the war officials denial
somewhat tends to allay the wildly
alarming reports. late Monday night
The Boer organ here. the Standard
and Diggers' News, Tuesday. printed J
dispatch from Pretoria. saying thai tba
tension there was apparently less 60
we're and that It was believed arrange
ments for the proposed conference at
cape Town would be completed. al
though Pres. Kruger of the TransyaaI
Republic was unlikely To attend
The opinion Of those who regard the
beginning Of a war between Great Brit
ain ana the Transvaal as only a mat
yer OF a short time. is voiced by the
II. James Gazette. which says:
The news concerning the crisis Is
very grave. We learn that three more
infantry brigadcs have been ordered 70
cape Colony, including the Gordons or
Dargai fame; one battalion Of the
Highland Light Infantry. who fought
in Crete. the second battalion of the
Black Watch and the second battalion
Of The CamerOnians. These regiments
are under orders TO be ready to leave
al ~ hours notice The officers and
men are delighted at the prospect Of
active service.
In service circles war is considered
absolutely certain. The admiralty
have a number Of transports ready to
convey troops to Cape Colony. The
Roers, while procrastinating in regard
10 their reply. have been making every
preparation for war and are contem-
plating raiding the Natal frontier
Lang's Neck, which is the sole route
from the Trarsv2al to Natal, is IN
defended"
Cape Town dispatches say that the
Afrikander papers print what pur-
ports to he Semi-ofIicial account of
the recent pour parlers. But as these
credit Mr.. Conyngham Greene the
British agent in the South African re-
public. with saying that Great Britain
- willing 10 abandon tho question of
British sovereignty if the proposals
made at the HluomfOntein conference
by Sir Alfred Miner, the governor of
Cape Colony and British high commits
sioner of South Africa, shall be accept
ed. They are not credited either at
cape Colony or here.
The second edition Of the Times is
sued. Tuesday morning. contains a dis
patch from Pretoria under date of
Sept. 4. saying: The predominant
view is that the last dispatch opens up
the way to a modus vivend inasmuCh
as the proposals Of Mr.. Chamberlain
relating to the seven years franchise
have been practically complied with.
This is the result of the influence of
Herr Fischer tthe special agent Of the
Orange Free State, with the Rad"
This dispatch. however, is at vari-
ance with the editorial views on the
matter expressed by the Times.
The gravity Of the news in regard to
the trouble in South Africa had de-
cidedly depressing effect On the stock
exchange, all departments sympathiz-
ing