The Oskaloosa herald., 1899-10-05
VAR MAYsOON BEGIN
Situation in South Africa Is Daily
Growing More Ominous.
PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTILITIES.
Center of the storm VIII Doubtless
He NntaI-AttRcI< ON Dundee by
the Beers Is Expected-BattIe
May Occur This Week.

London, Oct. Mot the faintest hint
is allowed to escape as to what diplo-
matte communications, if any, are pass
ing between London and South Africa.
So far as the public is concerned, mat
tiers have not advanced since Friday. 1t
is noticeable that not even the Brus-
sells agency of the Transvaal govern
ment has yet issued Mr.. Kruger's latest
note 10 the press. The silence main
tanned on both sides is regarded as
Ominous.
Strength of the Beers.
From South Africa the news is wholly
concerned with feverish preparations
for hostilities. Commandant Gen.
Joubert is reported to have said that he
has 10000 men on the Natal border
and that Commandant Cronje has aOOO
on the Bechuana side. The British
camp i'll the vicinity of Dundee consists
OF 5000 men, with "a guns in strong
position. The Orange Free State is ac-
lively communicating. The ITransvaal
government has virtually taken over
the Netherlands railway for military
purposes and Natal trains are being
turned back. Telegraph wires between
Natal and johannesburg have been cut
since Friday. According to dispatches
from Pretoria, complete chaos reigns
there. The government has declared a
moratorium tan emergency act of leg
islation) authorizing a government
bank to suspend specie payments for a
given period, closed all the courts and
suspended the English papers. 1t is
said that there will be nearly 10000
burghers along the borders by this
evening.
Potomac of the War.
1t is evident that Buffalo river, the
northeastern boundary of Natal, is to
be the Potomac of the war. In view of
its strategic value, Joshua Joubert has
taken personal command of the Boer
forces there, establishing a strong line
OF pickets along the river, and has or
dered the natives to drive in all the
stock. While the movement of individ-
ual commands as yet does not show
concerted plans, it is evident that the
narrow, wedge-like strip of Natal, whose
apex is crowned with the ominous name
Of Majuba hill, will be the center of
the coming storm. Late Saturday the
Beers established camp at Scheeper's
Mex, near Nryheid, and they will mo-
Billie a great force on the Buffalo river
to-day, which the authorities at Dun
dee expect will move across the border
to that spot, probably at once. 1t is
believed that conflict at this point
will certainly occur early in the week.
Will Not Start the War.
A Cape Town dispatch says: Many
well-informed persons in Capt Town
discredit the idea that the Beers will
take the initiative. President Kruger,
it is said, does not despair of the SYM
pathy of at least portion of the Brit
ish liberals, and he knows that if the
Beers fire the first shot their sympathy
will be absolutely forfeited.
The Cape Argus, of Cape Town, pub
fishes the following dispatch from
Joubert will command the Boer forces
at Laing's Mex. This is regarded as
the Transvaars reply to the movements
of the British troops. There is consid-
cradle uneasiness here"
May Attack Dundee.
A dispatch from Dundee, Natal, says:
Five thousand Beers are now concen-
trated in close proximity to the from
tier, and it is reported that they are
about to attack Dundee. The most COM
~lete precautions have been taken.
'harlestown is deserted. All the wom-
and children have left. and not more
han ten men are now there. A loco
motive is ready to bring away the rail-
way staff.