The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-10
Must Accept Suxerafnty or England
Will Devastate His Domain with
a Hurricane of War.
10000 MORE BRITISH TROOPS
TO BE TRANSPORTED TO SOUTH
AFRICA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
johannesburg Described by Cor
Where Women Dream of Ruin.

copyrighted 1892 by the Associated Press.l
| LONDON, Sept. 9.-The actual status of
| the Transvaal crisis appears to be
| changed. In spite Of all the clamor and ex-
element raised by the rumors preceding the
| Cabinet council, Great Britain's ministers
| apparently have done nothing more than
| strengthen the hands of Joseph Chamber
| lain, the secretary of state for the colonies,
| thereby confirming the representations Of
| the most conservative element, as already
quoted in these dispatches. AS far as the
| international relations are concerned war Is
| no nearer now than It was a week ago,
though the friction in South Africa itself is
keener and more likely to produce con-
| fict.
Putting aside the countless diplomatic in
| tricacies that have arisen during the week,
suzerainty remains the main issue. Presi-
dent Kruger, of the Transvaal Republic, has
cracked the nut and found suzerainty its
kernel. If he refuses to swallow it, there
will be war. There is no doubt that Mr..
Chamberlain hoped the Cabinet would take
more radical measures than 1t did. If the
present understanding of it's action is we'll
founded, it has only countenanced still
further delay, specifying day when such
delay must end. For weeks Mr.. Cham
berlain has been telling President Kruger
that Great Britain could stand no further
parleying about suzerainty, and intimating
by speeches that the day, and even the mo-
ment, had arrived when Great Britain's pa
thence would be exhausted. Hence, this
Cabinet exhibition of prolonged British pa
thence has tended to create a more pacific
feeling, but which, after all, is probably
only general realization that unless the
Beers take the initiative, We shall have to
wait for some time before the crisis comes
to head.
Compared with this, the warlike sign Of
sending out ten thousand troops has small
significance. The public mind in the in
term between now and the date believed to
have been set for ending the negotiations, is
likely to be replete with the same confusing
offers and reflections Of offers that have
marked the recent weeks. Whether or not
President Kruger will eventually back down
is still matter of great doubt. in spite of
his latest pacific utterances and those of
his agents.
WAR FURRY ALI. WEEK.
During most of the week Great Britain
has resembled in every respect that
tremendously exciting week in the United
States which Immediately preceded the
outbreak of the war with Spain. Dreyfus
and other topics sunk into obscurity, patri-
otto enthusiasm has been at fever heat and
the slightest sign of preparation for war
has been seized on by the press and public
an indication of the status of the crisis.
The difference between the state of affairs
here and the situation in the United States
In April. 1898, is merely that the projected
campaign is military instead of naval Ac-
cording TO reliable statements, the army Is
ready. The papers TEEN with descriptions
of the troops who are expected to do the
fighting, with accounts of their equipment
and method of transport and even the rela-
tive killing properties of the bullets which,
it is expected, will soon be lodged under
Boer skins.
Though mobilization has never been a
strong feature Of the British army, it is
now believed that system near perfec-
ton as possible has been prepared. The
commander-in-chief, Field Marshal Wolse- |
ley Sir Evelyn Wood, Sir Redvers Butler |
and other generals have been working |
strenuously on it for months. Many new
features have been introduced. Several Of |
them have been based on the lessons learned |
from the American troops in the war with |
Spain. Among the latter is the extreme |
usefulness of mules in such country as |
the Transvaal. 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 prob |
able hostilities.
The Boer plan of mobilization is said to |
be purely defensive. embracing forty-ive |
thousand men, who would occupy strategi- |
cal points in their own country. But this is /
not likely to prevent a raid on poorly-de- |
Tended Natal. The greatest dangers the |
British contemplate facing. apart from the |
Beers steady hand and Mauser rifles, are |
climate lack of forage and the scarcity of |
ammunition, owing to the difficulties of |
transport.
the South Africa Republic in London, said: |
IF the burghers will not yield to hysteria
there is no casus belli. We decline respon-
sibility for what others have muddled |
Suzerainty Is not the question. The fran
chise is the rock OF difference on which |
Mr.. Chamberlain recognized we shall split |
The Transvaal will not precipitate matters.
The burghers will 60 out TO defend their
homes and country when the note of alarm
Is sounded. Lord Salisbury has yet to be |
reckoned with. He will not be driven by |
personal feeling or bubble. We believe the
British sense of fair play will prevail"
VIII Send 10000 More Troops.
LONDON. Sept. s.-The Cabinet has de-
cided to send ten thousand troops to South
ready five thousand men. OF. which rein
Il