The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-09-09
ARMY is READY.
Past Week In England Is Com
pared to the One
Preceding the War With Spain
In the United States.
WAR TALK is HEARD
From One End of the Country
to the Other.
A Long, Hard Struggle Is
Anticipated.
WAR TALK IS HEARD

copyright, 1899. the Associated Press-1
London, Sept. 9.-This week Great
Britain has resembled in every respect
the tremendously exciting week in the
United States which Immediately pre-
ceded the outbreak of the war with
Spain. Dreyfus and other topics sunk
into obscurity, patriotic enthusiasm has
been at fever heat and the slightest
sign of preparation for war has been
seized upon by the press and public as
an indication of the status of the crisis.
The difference between the state of af-
fairs here and the situation in the I'm
tied States in April, 1898. is merely that
the projected campaign is military in
stead of naval
According to reliable statements the
army is ready. The papers TEEN with
descriptions of the troops who are ex-
pected to do the fighting, with ac-
counts of their equipment and method
of transport and even the relative kill
ing properties of the bullets which it is
expected will be sOCr lodged under BOer
skins. The particular pet is now q bull
let known as mark T." 1t is claimed
that its lead core is harder and less
fusible than any tried heretofore.
Large quantities are being shipped to
Cape Town.
Though mobilization has never been
a strong feature of the British army
it is now believed that a system as
near perfection as possible has been
prepared. The commander in chief,
Field Marshal WoIseley. Sir Evelyn
Wood, General Sir Redvers Butler and
other generals have been working
StrenuOuSly on it for month. Many
new features have been introduced,
several of them being based on the les
sons learned by the American troops
in the war with Spain. Among the
{
mules in such a country as the Trans
vaal. The British officers who have
been in the United States, Spain and
South America selecting punches of
these animals have now been ordered
to close their purchases and ship the
mules as quickly as possible to the
scene of the probable hostilities. All
these things, to say nothing of the
splendid morale and reputation of the
regiments selected for the cape, indi-
cate that if war comes it will be Waged
relentlessly and strongly and that there
will be no abatement until South Africa
is flooded with British troops in such
numbers that organized resistance by
the Beers will be impossible. Before
the main British body of troops arrive
it is thought possible that the Beers
may score some decided successes and
even after being overcome by the force
of superior mum berS, they may continue
the war in guerilla fashion for many
months. But conservative opinion
places six months as the outside limit
for the capture of Johannesburg and
Pretoria. If another Majuba hill marks
the annals of the possible war it will
not be due to lack of caution on the
part of the British. The SwaziS are
expected to give Great Britain consid-
cradle aid and with the exception of
the POndos, the whole body of blacks
between Cape Agulhas and the Zamosi,
it is claimed. will result against the
TranSvaal The BOer plan of mobiliza-
tion is said to be purely defensive, en-
bracing $4,000 men who will occupy
strategical points in their own country.
But this is not likely to prevent a raid
upon poorly defended Natal The great
est dangers, the British contemplate
facing apart from the Beers steady
hand and Mauser rifles, are climate,
lack of forage and the scarcity of am
munition owing to the difficulties of
transport. Precautions have already
been taken to avoid the last two, but
there is no doubt that if the trouble
occurs many British lives will be sac
rificed to entric fever
Mr.. Montague White, consul general
of the South African republic in Lon
don, said:
IF the Burghers will not yield to
hysteria there is no casuS belli. We
decline responsibility for what others
have muddled. Suzerainty is not the
question. The franchise is the rock of
difference on which Mr.. Chamberlain
recognized we shall split. This war.
if war must come, is not going to end
with flash in the pan. The struggle |
Even supposing the existing Boer regi- !
ments are annihilated no force can beat !
down the Afrikander and Dutch |
strength of South Africa. He who de- |
cIares war on the TransvaaI lights the !
torch of revolution. The TransVaal will /
not precfpitate matters. The burghers ,
will go out to defend their homes and /
country when the note of alarm is
sounded. That is no menace. Lord !
Salisbury has yet to be reckOned with j
He will not be driven by personal feel !
ing or quibble. We believe the British /
sense of fair play will prevail"
ORDERS AT MALTA
Malta. Sept 9.-The first battalion of |
the border regiment stationed here has /
been ordered to hold itself in readiness
to embark for Cape Colony.
LIVING IN TERROR
London. Sept. 9.-The Pail Mall Ga |
zette today prints mail advices from |
under date of August 19. !
saying: johannesburg is rapidly be- |
coming a city of terror. AS the sun /
rises the people wake and ask: HAS |
it come? Is there WARP
AS the day dragS through all the time |
one is listening to the anxious ques- |
tions: "WiIl the fort really fire on US? /
US in cold blood if war break out? VIII |
they stop our food supply? How long /
will it take the British to fight their |
way up?" etc.
AS darkness falls the men go to the /
places of resort to discuss the grim |
topic of shells and death and the wo- /
men go to their beds to dream of blood |
shed and ruin.
The war talk started the work, the |
hurried armtng of the Beers brought /
it towards completion, and the firing of /
a Boer volley at a Natal-Johannesburs |