The San Francisco call., 1899-09-10
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LONDON, Sept. 9.-War talk has
been in everybody's mouth. From the
dignified statesmen to the saucy bar
maid, all are eagerly discussing the
chances of another conflict with the
Transvaal. Nothing else has been
heard in the clubs and hotel corridors
The jingo fever is at it's height A
declaration of war is looked for at any
moment.
Yesterdays Cabinet council attracted
great public interest and attention
more so than any meeting of the Min
listers since the stormy days of the
Gladstone regime.
A large crowd of well-dressed per-
sons assembled in Downing street and
in the Foreign Office quadrangle, many
Americans being noticeable in the
thrOng. Among the Ministers interest
largely centered upon Mr.. Chamberlain
and when he reached the Downing
street entrance of the Colonial Office
there was a rush to get a close view
of him. The War Office is very secre-
tive concerning England's preparations,
but that departments officials have
been working day and night for weeks.
The greatest activity reignS at Alder
shot and other important military CEN
ters. 1t is known that the expedition
airy forces TO the Transvaal will have
considerable body of cavalry in ad-
dition to the mounted infantry at
tached.
Military men agree that in the Beers
England will have an adversary the
like of whom the British troops have
not faced since the Crimean campaign,
and it is believed an overwhelming
force will have to be put in the field
to insure success.
AS to the cost of the campaign, a
statistician computes it would cost
England e75 900, 600 or as part of the
national debt, $4,000, 900 a year, which.
of course, would come out of the poor
mans pocket through tobacco. beer or
tea. The Government, however, esti-
mates the cost of the expedition at
95, 900, 600.
PRETORIA, Sept. 9.-In the course
of an interview to-day State Attorney
SHUTS said that the Transvaal, having
withdrawn it's offer of a five-yearS'
the conditions thereto at
tached, namely, the REIMBURSEMENT of
Suzerainty, also falls to the ground. He
the TranSvaalS last dis
patch as an acceptance of the proposal
for joint commission of inquiry.
The Transvaal, he said, is anxious to
terminate the tension existing because
trade is stagnant and the country is
a greater interest than has the British
in bringing about a settle
ment. He declared that he fully be-
lieved the British Government desired
a peaceful solution of the difficulty and
expressed the opinion that the Trans
walls last dispatch would further that
end.
BERLINT, Sept. 9.-The probability of
war between Great Britain and the
TransvaaI is discussed with great in
terest. The press comment is mostly
to Great Britain. The gen
eral opinion seems to be that the Beers
were wrong in making the suzerainty
question the main issue Still, while
Great Britain has doubtless secured a
free hand, it is not likely that Germany
France and Russia will remain impas-
sive spectators of all the complications
which will possibly arise out of the war
If the British are defeated there is a
splendid chance for Germany in South
Africa, while in the case of a British
victory the Beers will emigrate en-
masse to German territory. Then, it is
added, Great Britain will want also to
oust Germany from South Africa.