The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-06
SHALL IT BE WAR OR PEACE
CRITICAL STAGE REA CHED IN THE
IRINSVAdL DISPUTE.

Observation-Disclosures Troops In Readiness
To Start for Cape Town from England
and India-Belief That England Will
Soon send Kruger an Ultimatum.
Special Gable Despdtches 10 TIE Sun.
LONDON. Sept. 5.-AlthouRh the Colonial
once. the War Office and all the Ministers
m aintain the strictest silence. 1t is accepted
that the negotiations with the Transvaal
are now in o decisive stage. Mr.. Cham bsrlain
epent many hours in his Office to-day handling
cablo dispatches to and from South Africa. 30
far as known the position now Is that tho
Transyaal has sent despatch to Mr.. Chamber
lain finally stating basis for the settlementof
the franchise question. 1t has withdrawn its
nve-year offer. with the view to in
GLIDING the franchise matter among the mat
tors to be discussed in a general settlement.
The British Cabinet will probably meet to
endorse Mr.. Chamberlain's reply.
LONDON. Sept 6.-The Daily Mail says 1t be-
lIeves that unless President Kruger accepts the
British terms he will receive an ultimatum.
II Great Britain is put to the cost OF
sending ali expedition to South Africa the cost
will be levied on him. 1t adds that Prime
Minister Salisbury is expected to arrive in
London on Wednesday to confer with Mr..
amberlain. Mean while Con. Lord Wolseley.
Commander In Chief Of the British forces. has
postponed his vacation.
The Mail believes that the Beers can put
into the field only between 10000 and $1,000
mon.
The johannesburg correspondent Of the
Standard says it Is believed that the Trans
walls reply to the British proposals
returns to the position occupied by the
Republic month ago. Nevertheless. the ten
sion seems easier. though the exodus cor-
tinues. 1t is the almost universal belief that
the real reason for abandoning the charges Of
treason against Editor Pakeman Is that the
Transvaal has suddenly decided to refrain
from absolutely defyinR Great Britain.
The Chronicle announces that the First Army
Corps has been warned that it may be required
for service. This is a routine warning In
any crisis. but the officers will not go
far distant on their furloughs. This warning
has been exaggerated into a report that the
Government would call out the troops imme-
diately.
Bennett Burleigh. war correspondent OF the
Telegraph, writing in London. says that unless
q solution is very shortly arrived at 5000
troops will be transported from India to
Natal. Later the First Army Corps will be en-
barked for South Africa. while the British
possessions there will be made secure from an
invading army OF Beers 1t is understood he
adds. that EnRlands counter stroke will be
delivered by way OF Natal The route
from that colony to johannesburg and
Pretoria is easy. 1t lies across the
open veldt and bushwhacking will
be impossible The rains begin in September
and continue until the beginning Of Novembe
1t 10 improbable that any large movements
will occur before November.
A letter Is published this morning from
Henry II. Stanley. NJ. p. the wel-known
African explorer. in which he advises
the country to trust Colonial Secretary
Chamberlain in the Transvaal dispute.
He says that Mr.. Chamberlain is as
free o! observation-disclosures as the most
peace loving Quaker. but II he cannot
get a satisfactory settlement he. as
an executive Minister. will not be appalled, by
the prospect OF war. Mr.. Stanley adds that II
the complications and wearisome itsrations are
not soon finished they must be passed on to the
next Government. and Mr.. Chamberlain will
have proved no better than those mediocrlties
who made KrhRerism possible.
The ST. James Gazette sara that the War
once will send three brigades 6 infsntry to
Cape Town. The regiments are un-for orders
to leave on twenty-four hours notice. In
army service circles war is considered inev-
| table.
| A dispatch to the Times from Newcastle.
Cape Colony. says much uneasiness is felt
| owing to the fact that arrests for treason con-
| tinue to be made in the Transvaal.
| despite the assurances to the contrary
given by State Attorney SHUTS. 1t Is
| generally believed the arrests are merely the
commencement Of an aggressive policy on the
| part OF the Beers. which. although postponed
| for while was not abandoned. Ths authori-
ties are alarmed over the panic that
| has been created and are striving to
allay the uneasiness. 1t 10 improbable
| bnw that tha ITttInDder laa6ara I'll
to Johannesburg until the situation becomes
| clearer. These men believe it would be useless
| to run risks which would serve no purpose
| The railways are still unable to cope with the
rush Of people who are leaving the Transvaal
| BThc indefinite character OF the reply OF the
| Transvaal Government to Colonial Secretary
Cham berlain's last despatch. strengthens the
conviction that the Beers simply aim to gain
time.
| 1t is Officially stated that the story that q
proclamation calling out tho reserves was
| about to be issued is untrue.
The Manchester Guardians johann Os burg
| correspondent telegraphs as follows: The
State Secretary and State Attorney inform me
| that the warrants for the arrest OF Editors
| Pakeman and Moneypenny were made out
| some time ago to be executed II the men tried
to leave Johannesburg. The local officials de-
termined the other day to serve these war;
rants"
despatch to the London office OF the Stan
| dard and Dg0ers' NetrS. dated Johannesburg
yesterday. says it is rumored there the Trans
wal Government has agreed to the conference
with the British representatives at Cape
| Town
PREToRIA. Sept. 5.-The Volksraad has re-
ceived Jonkherr Coasters motion. which
was previously withdrawn. asking the
Government why British troops were
being concentrated on the borders
OF the Transvaal. 1t was unanimously
resolved to discuss the motion on Thursday.
The Government may postpone the discussion
| owing 10 the crisis.
Jonkherr Coaster. in reintroducing tho mo-
ton. made a passionate speech. In which
| he connected the present movements
on the frontier with the Jameson raid.
other speakers blamed the English war
party for the trouble. Many members Of the
House attacked Portugal for OBTAINING Boer
arms and ammunitions at Delagoa Bay.
BARBERToN. Sept. 5.-It is stated that the
SWhHis are ready to attack the Beers in casa