The Van Buren press., 1899-10-14
THE BOER ULTIMATuM.
War Is Practically Certain, and the Respon'
sibility Ft r IL Falls Upon
Kruger.

London. Oct. 1.-THE stolidity, II
hot the plaeidity of the English char
deter, never was better shown than 1t
Is in London to-day. when England is
face to face with war.
Although it was only haif-past hive
o'clock yesterday when Mr.. Chamber
lain's secretary handed to a represent
ative of the press the first copy of the
Transvaal ultimatum, an hour later
every evening paper had the news.
There was not a trace of the excite
ment attendant upon the announce
ment of the result on the night after
the first race for the Americas cup.
England Realizes the situation.
But this must not be interpreted TO
mean that England is not alive to the
realities of the situation. The audacl-
ty of the Transvaal's dispatch momen-
tarily stuns the public, and it was only
when under the glare or the music
hall lights, and listening to the STIR
ring bars of the national athem and
DlntE DdtflOAlf . hhaA titN
the momentary rebuff was lost in DEM
onstrations that shook the rafters. AT
the Alhambra Gen. Sir Redyers Butler
was present The first bars of Rule
Britannia. brought the entire audience
to its feet, and for quarter OF an
hour the house resounded with the
choruses of national airs and with
cheers.
Officers and Men Enthusiastic.
The Army and Navy club, Familiarity
known as the Rag" has not for many
day seen such gathering of cam
baigners as was there last night.
Nor was the slowly aroused enthusi-
asm confined to the officers. AT Well
lngton barracks. where a battalion OF
grenadiers, which forms a portion of
the First army corps, had just returned
from 16 months service on the rock OF
Gibraltar. the enthusiasm knew no
bounds. Seldom does Tommy Atkins
permit himself the luxury of enthusi-
asm. but the regiment had had long
spell of dreary garrison duty, and
hailed the call to active service With
tchoolboy delight.
1t VIII Not be a Picnic.
Underneath all, however, officers,
subalterns and civilians recognized the
fact that the Transvaal campaign will
not be a picnic, and the sober reality
Of this gives sterner note to London
life than anything that has occurred
Il of Gnr1ap anH X "a
toum.
Lord James Hereford Talks.
The first minister to speak publicly
regarding the ultimatum was Lord
James Hereford, chancellor of the
Duchy of Lancaster, who, speaking at
Aberdeen last night, said
Responsibility on the Transvanl.
"The government has done every
thing in their power to preserve peace.
Apparently, however, diplomacy is
ended, and the hopes of peace are vir-
tually destroyed, and that not by the
uction of the queens government, but
by the Transvaal government. Presi-
dent Kruger has sent an ultimatum.
If we were to withdraw our troops at
his bidding we should suffer the great
est humiliation, and the government
would deserve to be hunted from office,
ss craven cowards."
A Sudden Conversion.
Lord James said he had intended be-
fore receiving the news of the ulti-
matum to take a different view of the
position, but now nothing remains but
to commend our cause to the God of
battles and arms, and to implore his
blessing upon the engagement about
to be entered upon"
Loud and Prolonged Cheers.
Lord James, whose remarks were
greeted with loud and prolonged
cheers, concluded by expressing hope
that the war would be short and hui
namely conducted, and that when il
was terminated counsels of moderation
would prevail as to the way in which
the enemy should be dealt with"
Beers Seen ON Natal Territory.
Ladysmith. Oct. lit is learned
from an authentic source that de-
tachment of carbineer scouts saw a