Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-22

BOer papers.
Those who claim that the situation h g
not yet passed the Rubcon of pacific he
gotiations see in President Kruger's an
swer TO the Afrikanders a general desire
TO avoid hostilties.
Nevertheless, preparations for that
eventuality continue energetically or
both sides.
BOERS READY TO RAID.
The latest report Of Boer activity en-
anates from Newcastle Natal. and SAYS
the Transyaal forces are encamped at
Zandsprint, and intend to raid Natal i'm
mediately after they understand that Mr..
Chamberlain's reply is not satisfactory.
The British army nursing service sail
from southampton tomorrow, and Ma
Jor-General French sails Saturday. lie
goes to Durham. Natal, to command the
cavalry brigade.
The foregoing includes all the actual
developments, but they help little to solve
the universal question-Wil there be
war?
STEYN'S ANSWER TO MINER.
The answer of President steyn. Of the
Orange Free State, to sir Alfred Miner.
the British High Commissioner in South
Africa, is not regarded as a satisfactory
explanation Of the Free States position.
and by no means dissipates the increased
seriousness with which the situation is
regarded. Since the first il has been re-
ported that the Free State would ag-
gressively assist the Transvaal.
Vanity Fair, frequently well-informed
regarding political secrets, to-day en-
phatically reterates the assertion that
there will be no war 1t says: "Presi-
dent Kruger is an old man, but he is no
dotard. He would like to get his own
way, but not at the cost of q defeat.
Climb down he will. We maintain the
belief that there will be no war"
THE CRISIS FICTITIOUS.
Vanity Fair takes the view. which is
shared by several weeklies. that the
alarmist daily papers have created fic-
titious crisis.
Conservative Sitting Of the conflicting
opinions and rumors now prevailing re-
garding the outcome Of the dispute will
be more practicable after tomorrow s
Cabinet meeting. though the official an
nouncement Of the ministers decision is
likely 10 be delayed a few days
ADDED GRAVITY.
LONDON, September 2z.-While the
precise result Of the secret session Of the
Raad OF the Orange Free State Is not
yet known here, President Steyn's speech
at the opening OF the session is REGARDED
as an almost infallible indication of the
attitude which the Free State will take
Commenting from this point Of view, the
London morning papers are all impressed
with the added gravity Of the situation,
and murmurs are beginning to be heard
regarding the diiatoriness Of the govern
ment In getting troops forward Military
men are said TO be impatient. They as
sert that everything is ready. and that
they are only waiting for orders
1t is recognized that the attitude of
the Orange Free state makes the original
estimates based upon Dutch neutrality
too small. Evidently a much larger force
viii be required. The government is
faced with something like a dilemma
The leader of the opposition has publicly
denounced the precipitancy of the Colo
NAL Office in forcing a conflict There
fore, the ministers are disinclined to con-
woke Parliament. If, on the other
hand so large an expenditure as the ap-
parent attitude of the Orange Free State
would involve should become necessary
the government would be obliged TO sum-
mon Parliament in order TO get adequate
supplies. 1t is understood that the money
question accounts for the iribbling man
ner in which the troops are being for
warded.
GERMANS SURPRISED.
German military experts realizing the
seriousness of the Transvaal affair, are
commenting with establishment on the
fact that England is so behind-hand with
her preparations. In Berlin it is also
believed that DR.. Leyds is acting as Presi-
dent Kruger's evil genius, and misleading
him by reports that he is likely to get
sympathy. IL not assistance, from some
OF the European Powers.
No member OF the Cape Cabinet was
present at the meeting of the Afrikander
members OF the Cape Parliament yes
terday.
A dispatch from Pretoria announces that
arms continue 10 be served to the
bUrghers.