The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-10-12
And War now Shakes her Cory
Locks Between England and
the Transvaal.
REPORTS OF THE FIRST SHOT
Fired Circulated in London but
They Have not Been Off
eialIy Verified.
THE INTERESTS OF AMERICA
In South Africa Quite Extensive
Our Consuls VIII Take Care
OF British Interests.

Ot EltttA5A AAAhEA ESN1s
LONDON. Oct. 1i.-If the latest re-
ports which are confirmed from va
rlous points in South Africa are true.
the Beers have not waited for the ex-
plratlon OF the time limit but have al
ready crossed the border, as they
would be entitled to do, both in virtue
OF the notification contained in the last
paragraph OF the ultimatum, and also
OF the British acknowledgement, which
reached Pretoria so speedily as to just
fly belief amounting almost to cer-
tainty that the war party in Great
Britain, while welcoming an act which
has deprived the country of all peace
ful alternatives and given 1t the great
superficial advantage to be derived
from the fact that the adversary has
voluntarily assumed the stigma Of vlr-
tually declaring war. was eagerly
awaiting It's chance.
Up to the present hour 1l:15. how
ever, no dispatches have arrived from
the Cape timed since the expiration Of
the ultImatum, so 1t is not yet known
whether the drst shot has been fired.
A telegram from Pretoria, timed 1889
yesterday evening, says: 'The situation
is becoming hourly more critical. Nu-
nerous Americans, Germans, French
men, swedes. Belglans, Norweglans,
Danes, Italians, Dutchmen, Swiss and
Cape Afrlkanders have gone to the bor-
der 10 fight for the Transvaal, although
they are not burghers. while many
British residents also have taken the
oath Of allegiance. The hope is, ex-
pressed by many that war viii yet be
ayerted"
Nothing since this has been received
from Pretoria. and doubtless tele-
graphic communication with the Trans
vaal is now cut.
Miner and Steyn.
Further particulars regarding the cor
respondence between President steyn
of the orange Free State and Sir Al
fred Miner, governor of Cape Colony,
and British high commissioner in South
Africa, cabled from BloemfonteIn,
show that Sir Alfred, on October 4
stated that the imperial government
was reconsidering the situation in view
OF the grave fact that both the repub.
lies were on war footing, and was
even then prepared to consider deh-
mite suggestion for the termination Of
the crisis. In another dispatch he
says: my object in all communIcl-
tlons since October has been to leave
nothing undone to prevent such action
on the part of the TransvaRl as is cal
culated to make pacific solution final.
~ impossible. can not, however. ask
the imperial government for pledge
either regarding the disposition Of
troops in British territory in South AT
rlca or their dispatch from other parts
of the empire"
President steyn replied: .The reasons
for armlng the Transvnal were the
presence of an allen, hostile population
in Its midst which was always stirring
up hatred dnd endenvoring for polltl-
cal or financial reasons to undermine
the independence of the state. The
Beers have never taken the offensive.
not even after the Jameson raid, when
the Transvaal was strongly armed ana
there were few British troops there.
Regarding the Free State army. 1t
will be remembered that the Free State
always lived at peace and in harmony
with It's neIghbors, and had everything
TO lose and nothing to gain by rup-
ture. The burghers will certainly not
be called out unless the government IS
thoroughly convinced that the British
troops on the borders of both states are,
decided menace to the independence
of the TransvanI. which the Free State
IS bound to assist"
Scnd-ofr for Butler.
Great preparations are being made at
southampton for the departure on Sat-
urday Of General Sir Redvers Butler
and n great demonstration Is nntIcipa-
ted. The Duke Of Connaught, the Duke
OF York, Lord LansdOwnc, General
Lord Wolsley and General Sir Evelyn
Wood are expected to accompany him
to Southampton from London.
II In announced that the fleet OF
transports conveying General Sir Red
vers Buffers army corps will be es-
corted by wnrshlps. while further dis
patch bOats and gunbOats win be sent
10 South African waters
The government has already eXpend-
cd e5,OOO0OO In naval and military pre-
partitions. the orders placed with con-
tractors this week alone amounting 10
100000. The authorities. anticipating
serious reduction In the output OF the
South African coal mines. has ordered
5000 tons Of English steam coal to be
sent TO the Cape for the use Of the war
ships
The outbreak OF war has sent up the
price Of English wheat and on various
country markets tho farmers have rc-
fused TO sell wheat under 3ls per quar-
ter, In rome cases even holding out for
still higher price.
a dispatch from Kimberley aays Cecil
Rhodes is expected there shortly.
nIsrEnftttrI g,ttupt