Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-10-12
TRANSyAAL NOTES.
The British Force Now Consists Of
Over 10000 Men.
PRESIDENT KRUCERS ULllYATUI.
The Bosr Camp Breathing q Religious
Fevor--A Boer Attack Upon Natal Ex-
pected at Any Moment Fighting
Said to Have Commenced.

sA10 10 nave tOmmenceu.
London, Oct. 5.--lt is stated that the
war office has decided that the army
corps for service in South Africa shall
be much larger than originally esti-
mated and that 1t now consists of over
10000 men. The preparations for the
dispatch Of this force, including the
chartering Of big ocean liners, is stead
lily and satisfactorily proceeding
The press association learns that the
dispatch drawn up by the cabinet on
Friday was still unsent up to yesterday
evening. On the other hand a tele-
gram from Brussels gives from a "well-
informed source" the news that DR..
Leyds the representative in Europe OF
the South African republic, has re-
ceived confirmation of the report that
President Kruger had addressed an
ultimatum to Great Britain demanding
the withdrawal Of the British forces
from the frontier within As hours and
that II was delivered on Monday.
This report, however, still lacks official
confirmation.
A line steamer left Lourenzo Mar.
quese, Delagoa bay, yesterday with IT,
200 Rand refugees Large numbers
were left behind, and all trains are
crowded with those taking part in the
exodus from the Transvaal.
A dispatch from Volksrust says that
the Boer camp on the Natal border now
comprises 5000 men and is growing
daily. The camp breathes a religious
fervor. The commissariat arrange
ments, the dispatch says, are defective.
One Of the largest corps lay in the
veldt without shelter during heavy
thunderstorm. Commandant General
Joubert is momentarily expected to as
sumo command Of the I}oer forces.
A telegram from johannesburg says
that State Secretary Reitz, of the
Transvaal, informed u correspondent
of the Standard and Diggers' News,
that the proclamation Of martial law ii
being delayed.
In Cape Town the opinion prevails
that the delay Of the Beers in assuming
the offensive points toa willingness on
the part of the lransyaal government
to allow political counsel to override
military ardor and that there is, there.
fore, still hope that the Afrlkanders
efforts for peace will prevail
1t is understood Sir Alfred Miner
has not yet abandoned hope that the
powerful influences now at work in
Pretoria and Boemfontoin may lead to
the arrest Of the mobilization OF troops
on both sides and open the door to n
pacific solution.
Other kilograms represent that u Boer
attack upon Natal is expected at any
moment, but assert that Commandant
General Joubert has threatened TO
shoot any man who moves without or
ders'
The London morning papers are in
clined to regard the seizure of gold by
the Transvaal government as an act of
war,
No absolute confirmation is obtain
able of the report that a Boer ultima
tum has been presented, but the news
comes from what is usually good Boer
source.
BoERs MOVING TOWARDS THE FRONTIER.
London, Oct. B, "A special dispatch
from Newcastle Natal, dated Wedncs-
day, says: "rhe Beers have left the
aager at Volksrust and are moving to-
ward the frontier, The situation is
most critical The magistrates and
municipal officers have assembled in
the town hall to concoct measures for
the defense Of the town against an UNI
expected attack. All the women and
children have been ordered TO leave for
the interior OF Natal.
FIGHTING SAID TO HAVE COMMENCED.
Bloemfonlcin, Oct 5.-The govern.
ment publishes telegram from Boshof
stating that the British forces have
crossed the border and that fighting
has commenced, Another telegram
says the troops have crossed the border
but that no fighting has occurred, The
government discredits the report.