The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-10-13
BOER FORCES
INVADE NATAL
Hostilities Open Before the
Expiration of Limit
Set by Kruger.
LONDON BREATHEs FREER

Suspense Has Been Very Trying Dut-
Ing the Past Few Weeks, and There
Is u Feeling IF Genuine Relief That
Diplomacy Has Said Its Lust Word
end Action Can Now Proceed.
LONDON, Oct. ia dispatch from
Pietermari,1burg, Natal, says intense
excitement prevails there owing to per-
sistert reports that the Orange Free
State troops have already crossed the
border and are advancing upon Lady
smith.
A later dispatch from Pietermaritz-
burg says the invaders entered Natal by
the important pass Of Cundy Clough, 81
miles southwest of New Castle.
II tho latest reports, which are con-
iirmed from various points in South
Africa, are true, the Beers have not
wei.ed for an expiration of the time
limit, but have already crossed tho
border as they would be entitled to
no both in virtue of the notifications
'...--...,>- -. ---aoranh of the
ultimatum and also Of the BrIrs.. - -
knowledgement, which reached Pre-
| toria SO speedily as TO justify belief,
amounting TO almost certainty. that the
war party in Great Britain, while well
coming an act which has deprived the
| country Of all peaceful alternatives and
given 1T the great superficial advantage
| to BIO derived from the fact that the adj.
versary has voluntarily assumed the
stigma of virtually declaring war, was
! eagerly awaiting its chance, and despite
| newspaper attempts to veil the real feel
ing. is. in reality delighted that diplo.
| macy has said its last word and that
action can now proceed.
| Great Britain Unpr, pared.
There will inevitably be long period
of suspense. together with 4 great deal
| OF chatting ut delay, as oil indications
| 20 to show that Great Britain is unprc-
pared ami will be compelled to remain
on the defensive for some time. All the
| ugGressivene mast como from the
Ioers. 1t seems highly proba hle that ths
Tongue of Natal" )" as far as New Castle.
Will be i'll the hands of the Beers before
many hours. From that point, how
| ever, in the event of further advance,
they would probably find British forces
at Ladysmith and Dundee capable of re-
Telling their attacks.
Al hHds9h lco ssats the whica has
the Gordon Highlanders and = strong
ass e s 5sS}a SsasSR sSRs q ofs 91,ais ,as
~ Ky TO deal OUT an dh plea SAINT Sur.
| pfise to the Beers in the event of an
attempt to rush the position.
AT Dundee there are about 6, 900 mon
This force ought to be sufficient to stem
| Boer advance by way Of Sululand and
to maintain the line of communication
| with the base at PietermaritzNurg, the
headquarters of General Sir George
| Stewart White.
On the Bechaunaland border tho sit
uatlon seems TO give the Beers a TEN.
| porary advantage. There is considerable
anxiety in the districts of Vryburg and
Mafaking. although it is hoped that the
reintorcemepts recently dispatched
tncTe Will be sufficient to protect tho
| rich town of Kimberly.
No Formal Is D<ciaration.
So far as declaration of war is con.
cerned, the feeling in London is that
the Iransvaal government will merely
invite. the British diplomatic agent,
Conyngham Greene, to leave Pretoria
on the expiration of The time limit of
the ultimatum. Such an act would
preclude the necessity of any further
declaration. Certainly Great Britain
Will not declare war against what she
considers dependent state. Active
nOStlllfleS, therefore, arc expected 70
take the place OF q formal declarat ton.
There was q great scene on the floor
of the Stock Exchange at 3:l5, the time
OF the expiration of the poriod fixed in
the Boer ultimatum. The members
gathered and began singing God Sayo
the Queen" and Rule Britannia.
large crowd outside took up the strains
sid singing and cheering spread from
r >ut 10 POINT IL the netShto hood M.
Iii the whole district was alive with
eli ,husasm
Montague White, consul general FOR
tfa South frican republic IA London,
cossl The consulate this afternoon ana
III nle6iately left for the continent.
The attitude with which the Cana
Co.cny minister will adopt in actaaI
o-t3reak o. hostiliiies is much discussed
here Dispatches from Cape Town .ay
tEnt the c..oinet will resign, while there
are persisrenr reports in London that
Sir Alfred Miner, governor o. C4pe
Colony, has already dismissed Mr. vii.
nam l.. Schreiner and his colleagues.
&c Is evident that one or the other of
tneEe contAngencioa must occur, rs .ha
governor and commander in chief must
bo In q position to carry out defen.iye
niassures without rogar3 to possible OBJ.
s'ruction on the part of an unsyrn pa.
thetio cabinet.
BRITISH NATION IS UNITED