Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-09-07
Any Change In the Transvaal
Situation Is for the Worse.
BOERs ARE IRRITABLE.
A Summary of kruger,s Reply, How
ever. Given Out at Brussel. by DR..
Leyds Seems to BE of u
Pacific Tone.

London, Sept. 7.-Dy Associated
Press .)-1f the Transvaal situation is
changed AT all since yesterday ii is for
the worse. The Boer request for an
as to the massing of Brit
ish troops on the frontier of the Trans
vaal has an ominous note of irritation
and impatience, which, at such cri,i-
cal stage. cal, sce,cely be interpreted
as anything but defiance. Both here
and in Cape Colony the tension and
arning continues. Whether tomorrows
cabinet meeting will afford immediate
relief is still a question OF great doubt.
The more conservative believe the
cabinet will only put time limit upon
the negotiations. The morning Post
contains Il special dispatch from Pie
termaritzbnrs. the capital OF Natal,
saving that an ultimatum viii be for
iwaldetl to the Beers today. This is
scarcely credible. however. as every
welt informed source here believes
that the cabinet will decide upon the
inadrisability OF an nltimatum.
Wan, AN Explanation.
Pretoria, Sept. 7.-(By Associated
Press.) AT the headquarters of The
Transvaal government it is said there
has. been transmitted through Cony
ingham Green, the british diplomatic
agent here. to Sir Alfred Miner, the
British high commissioner of South
Africa. an inquiry as TO whether an
explanation would be given regarding
the Transvaal frontier.
Artillery Out.
Bloemfontein. Orange Free State,
Sept. 7.--(By Associated Press. )--lt is
understood that all the Transvaal ar
tillery has been called out. and that
the burghers have been notified TO be
ready. e.latest reply of the Trans
vaal is regarded as marking the dis
appearance of the last hope of peace.
Indian Troops warned.
Simla, Sept. T.-(By Associated
Press. )-Three regiments of cavalry,
four of artillery and three batteries
of field artillery have been formally
warned to prepare to leave their sta
tons in India at the shortest notice
for service in South Africa. Hospital
outfits have received similar orders.
Beers Hope for Peace.
London. Sept. 7.-CBy Associated
Press. 1.-The Diggers' News, the otii-
cial Boer organ, says: I'VE can state
that the diplomatic correspondence be-
tween the Transvaal and the colonial
Office is of reassuring nature, and
that the dispute has now narrowed to
an issue which should make a settle
;ment possible, aud ever speedy. The
Transvaal is preparing for eventunli-
ties.> but remains hopeful! OF peace
fni Settlement" Nothing which can
be learned here lends TO confirm the
foregoing statement. and owing to the
pro-Buer source from which it eman-
ated, ii is regarded with suspicion.
The Pail Mall Gazette's Cape Town
special says: 1T is believed in Arri-
kander circles here that The rrans-
vaal intends forcing matters to a sud-
den issue, and that war may possibly
break out within twenty-fom hours.
1t is supposed their first act will be to
advance on Laings Neck. the sole
route from the Transvaal to Natal. 1t
is also rumored that there is plot uu
Pretoria 10 simultaneously blow up the
British agency there. The Pull Mall
Gazette has not been conspicuous for
accuracy in South African news.