Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1899-09-30
LAS VEGAS NEW MExICo EVENING.
THE CRISIS REACHED.
Active Military Operations Con-
tInue and a.Clash Expected
at Any Moment
Cautious Movement OF Troops
of Both Sides Toward the
Frontier Begun.

LONDON, sept. oV.-T7 TdnSfhdf OiiSAo
news, which monopolizes all the lead
ing columns of the afternoon papers
now is we'll nourished by dispatches
from the Cape, from which copious
particulars of movements of troops on
both sides and other war preparations
are coming. A dispatch from Cape
Town says: "Alarmist reports from
Pretoria of the movements of burghers
must be received with caution. A
strict Boer censorship renders it un-
likely that an important movement
could be telegraphed unless the Trans
vaal has good reason for it. 1t is here
thought that the highly colored re-
ports are either sent to arouse the en-
thusiasm of Afrikanders or to produce
alarm in British camps"
A telegram from Pretoria dated yes
terday says the widest excitement
prevails there and. that war prepara-
tions are proceeding apaces Big guns,
field telegraphs, burghers munitions
of war and provisions are being hur-
ried off to Volksrust, the projected
base of Boer operations against Natal.
Crowds gather at the stations to wit
ness the departure of military trains,
General Joubert goes to Volksrust to-
morrow. The Boer war Office is work
ing night and day and commandeer-
ing is actively proceeding. The raad
in order to secure the support of many
Outlanders has decided that Outland-
ers who help the Beers will receive
the franchise. Several of the Trans
vaal government departments close to-
morrow, including the high court. I'm
mediately after martial law is pro-
claimed outside postal communication
will be stopped The Transvaal is
concentrating artillery along the Natal
border and reserve artillery has been
despatched to st. Andersons; also
at Wakkerstroom and also Rustem-
berg which will probably form the
base of attack on Bechuanaland in the
erection of Mafaking, where British
counter force is assembling. and forti-
fications are being raised.
A telegram from Aliwal, in the north
says that the Orange Free State is
stopping wagons of produce and live
stock en- route to Cape Colony. On
the British side the forces are steadily
moving nearer the frontier. All rail
road bridges from Colenso to New Cas-
tie are guarded today and night by a
mixed force of police and infantry.
In Rhodesia which is exposed to a
Boer attack the British colonists are
actively preparing for defense
A dispatch from Pietermaritzburg
announces that the governor of the
Natal has issued a proclamation in
view of the impression that many
Dutch farmers will join the Beers. The
proclamation warns "wickedly dis
posed persons" that punishment for
treason is death and confiscation of
the rebels property. The Boer reply
had not reached the colonial Office at
noon much to the establishment of Of
ficials who remained on duty all night
long expecting its arrival at any mo-
ment. II possible war preparations
are more active than ever.
THE BRITISH DEMANDS.
London, Sept. 30.-The cabinet ad-
journed at S:15 p. m. yesterday. The
ministers were heartily cheered by
the waiting crowds. 1t is said from
Boer sources that Mr.. Chamberlain's
proposals submitted to the cabinet in
clude an indemnity for the cost of
sending out troops, the disarmament
Of the Transvaal forts, suppression of
DR.. Leyd's legation, Indicative and
legislative independence for the judg-
es, equality of English and Dutch Ian
guages and full and complete admis-
sion of the supremacy of British in
terests throughout South Africa.
From the British side come further
particulars of military movements
pointing to preparations to safeguard
the frontier line in the event of war
until sufficient force is assembled to
take the offensive, "s