The record-union., 1899-10-05

closed.
Additional transports with troops
from India arrived this morning at
Durham, Natal, and will proceed to the
front Immediately.
1t is rumored that the Beers are with
drawing from the Natal border, owing
to the lack of forage.
Montague White, Consul General of
the South African Republic, in London,
Informed the Associated Press to-day
that the Transvaal and the Orange
Free State agreed some days ago to
present a joint demand to Great Brit
ain to withdraw her troops from the
frontier, but he asserts that he advised
against its presentation, and so far as
he knows the demand has never reach
ed the British Foreign Office
Gavin Brown Clark, Liberal member
of Parliament for Caithennesshire, who
telegraphed portions of the speech de-
livered last Saturday by the Lord Pres
1dent of the Council, the Duke of
Devonshire, which Mr.. Clark thought
afforded an opening for a pacific set
tlement, has received the following re-
ply from Pretoria dated October 3D.:
THE Government of the South Afri-
can Republic is gratified to learn that
influences are at work to secure a
peaceful settlement. Considering,
however the manner in which their
five-year franchise proposals were re-
Jected, after the Government had every
reason to believe that they would be
accepted: considering also the aban-
donment of the joint commission pro-
posed by Great Britain, as well as the
declaration that the British Govern
ment regards all former proposals as
abandoned and are formulating fresh
proposals, the Government of the South
African Republic does not feel at lib
erty to re-formulate the rejected pro-
posals.
If the desire for peace be earnest
and sincere, an excellent opening is
afforded by the Transvaals acceptance
of the joint commission, proposition
emanating from the British Govern
ment, and, if carried out, would un-
doubtedly bring satisfactory and
honorable settlement
A London news agency publishes a
dispatch from Paris saying it is ru-
mored there that a semi-official ex,
change of views is proceeding between
Russia, France and Germany with ref
erence to the Transvaal crisis.
The press association learns that the
dispatch drawn up by the Cabinet on
Friday was still unsent up to this
evening. On the other hand a tele-
gram from Brussels gives from "a well
informed source the news that Dr.
Leyds, the representative in Europe of
the South African Republic, has re-
ceived confirmation of the report that
President Kruger has addressed an ul-
the withdrawal of the British forces
from the frontier within forty-eight
hours, and that it was delivered on
Monday This report, however, still
lacks official confirmation.
The confidence of the military an
thorities at the Cape is shown by a
dispatch received tonight from Cape
Town, which states that at a, confer
ence of the military authorities there
and Gen Stewart White, V. c., who will
command the British forces in Natal.
and Lieutenant General Sir Frederick
Walker, held to consider the situation.
General White expressed himself as
confident that the British would be
able to present force sufficient 10 re-
pei any attack
General White, who intended to go
to Durham on board a warship. has
now in order to save time, abandoned
the idea, and will go by train Tonight.
A line steamer left Lourenzo Mar
quez, Delagoa Bay, to-day with LOO
Rand refugees. Large numbers were
left behind, and all trains are crowded
with those taking part in the exodus
from the Transvaal.
A dispatch from Volksrust SAYS that
the Boer camp on the Natal border now
comprises 5000 men, and is growing
daily. The camp breathes religious
fervor. The commissariat arrange
ments, the dispatch says, are defec-
tive. One of the largest corps lay in
the Veldt without shelter during
heavy thunder storm.
Commandant General Joubert is mo-
mentarily expected to assume command
of the Boer forces.
telegram from johannesburg says
that Secretary of State Reitz of the
Transvaal informed a correspondent of
the STANDARD and Digger News that
the proclamation of martial law is be-
ing delayed
In Cape Town the opinion prevails
that the delay of the Beers in assum-
ing the offensive points to a willingness
on the part of the Transvaal Govern
ment to allow political counsel to over
ride military ardor, and that there is
therefore still hope that the Afri-
kanders' efforts for peace will prevail.
Lord James of Hereford, writing to a
expresses the fear that
the maintenance of peace is now impos-
sible.
Sir Edgar Vincent, speaking at Exeter
yesterday said he understood that
General Sir Redvers Butler did not ex-
pect the war TO be short one.
The peace party is making the most
of the interval of the Anticipated re-
assembling of Parliament The Execu-
tive Committee of the National Lib
eral Federation at a recent meeting
adopted q resolution which was com
municated to the Affiliated Liberal AS
sociation throughout the country. de-
clarlng that war was unjustified by the
facts and urging Lord Salisbury to seek
peaceful solution of the difficulty.
1t Is understood that Sir Alfred Mil
ner has not yet abandoned hope that
the influences now at work in Pretoria
and Bloemfontein may lead to the ar
rest OF the mobilization of troops on
both sides and open the door to a pa
cific solution.
Other kilograms represent that a Boer
attack upon Natal is expected at any
moment, but asserts that Commandant
General Joubert has threatened to shoot