Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-10-12
DUKE FOR PEACE
SPEAKS AT Shelf
FIELD ON TRANSVAAL QUESTIO
WISER COUNSElS MAY Rule
Hint That Matter May Be Taken Out
of Chamberlain's Hands-War
Preparations Going Forward With
All Haste-Matters not More Crit
ical Than Last Week.

Sheffield, Eng, Oct. 10.-The duke Of
Devonshire, president of the council Of
ministers, speaking here on Monday,
said: Matters have not become more
critical during the last few days and
trust this interval for reflection may
conduce to a pacific settlement" His
grace added, however, that he was
afraid that the only hopeful sign was
the fact that the government Of the
south African republic did not appear
inclined to precipitate acts of aggres-
sion upon British territory, such as
their previous preparations had led the
British government to anticipate as
within possibilities. No doubt, the
longer such an attempt was delayed,
the less would be the probability of
even a temporary bOer success. AL
though the government does not con-
slider it right" said his grace, Ito re-
lax any measures deemed necessary.
and although preparations for a pos
sible campaign are still in full pro-
gress, think l may say that the coun-
try may rest assured that no irrevo-
cable step will be taken until the
Transvaal has received and had full
opportunity to consider the demands
the British government considers nee
essary to be enforced to protect the
rights Of it's citizens and to safeguard
British interest in south Africa. In
these circumstances there is chance
that wiser counsels than have hitherto
prevailed may assert themselves"
London's Opinion.
London, Oct 1O.-There has been a
Africa since Monday afternoon. Real
news is poorly compensated for by a
mass of minor details published con-
corning preparations for the dispatch
of the army corps and speculation as
to the length and character of the de-
bates when parliament meets. There
is said to be apprehension in official
circles that the radicals will offer pro-
tracted opposition to the government
policy in South Africa which will pos
sibly make propagation and Christmas
neighbors. Lord Salisbury's whip to the
house of lords issued last night says
that parliament will deal with matters
of grave appearance. The latest des-
patch from Lourenzo Marquee, relating
to the chasing Of the steamer Guelph
by the cruiser Philomel, caused some
stir, especially as it was announced
that the Guelph had landed four hun
dred cases of ammunition at Durham
for the boers There is a general feel
ing that the ammunition ought not tC
be allowed to be forwarded. Some in
dications of the war office estimate OF
the duration of the campaign is givel
in the fact that the authorities have
contracted for an eight months sup
ply of bread and other military requl-
sitions, rendered necessary by the alb
sence of the bulk of the army service
corps, which the war office evidently
calculates to be at home again by the
beginning of May.
Wires Are Loaded.
London, Oct. 10-Absence Of news
from south Africa appears to be due
to a heavy blockade on the telegraph
lines, which may mean that the lines
are occupied by official dispatches and
that negotiations are being actively
carried on.