Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-09-21
MIX MM0 IHFllHb[[.
Believed in London That Only
War Can Settle the Trans
vaal Complications.
WAR SPIRIT INCREASED.
Departure of British Troops for South
Africa Causes Much Speculation
Throughout England.


Serious Danger of an Unauthorized
Clash OIL the Frontier-Attitude
Of the Beers Not Thought Justi-
fable to England in Commencing
Hostilities.
London, Sept. 19.-WhiIe the hope of
avoiding .hostilities between Great
Britain and the Beers has ,lndoubtcd-
ly diminished. there is still adequate
JustiiicatiOn for the widespread belief
in London that war is now inevitable.
All accounts agree that the Boer reply
to the British demands is tantamount
to Il refusal. Nevertheless they reck-
on without the restraining influence
of British conscience. who believe that
England's answer will be declara-
tion of war or the firing of British
gun without further preliminaries.
The Beers may expect this: in fact.
the real danger is that they assume Il
British intention to Immediately at
tack them and will seek TO foreStal
the British ut some frontier point.
The war spirit is strong in England.
and especially IN London. but its
strength is exaggerated, both in the
press and other public utterances. 1t is
beginning to he realized by conserva-
tive opinion that the remaining issues
with the B0er republic will not justify
England before the world. or before
her own conscience, in striking down
free white people. 1t may be the in
tention of the Salisbury Government.
sooner or later. 10y one means or an
other, to add the Transvaal Republic
to the British dominions. but it will
not be attempted without n better cX-
cuse than the Boer refusal to grant
the outstanding demands. Such an
excuse, unfortunately, may be forth
coming at any moment There are
plenty of agents of Cecil Rhodes. with
other fire eaters. on the Transvaal
frontier ready TO plovide it even if tn"
Boers themselves do not.
The artificial nature OF much of the
war excitement both here and at the
Cape is becoming more palpable daily.
The peace party has no fair repre-
sentatiOn in the London press. The
Manchester Guardian is its only
powerful exponent. The influence of
the Chartered Company on the Eng
lish press WAS never so strongly de-
monstrated as now.
Many Englishmen are puzzled by Sir
Alfred Miners openly bellicose atti-
tude. His last despatch is nothing
less than an appeal TO the Government
to proceed to extreme measures i'm
mediately. This is an open espousal
of the war partyS cause, and deeply
disappoints many of Sir Alfreds
friends, who have heretofore had un-
limited confidence in his prudence,
conservatism and federation.
The public excitement i'll London is
fed by the enthusiastic farewell TO de-
parting troops, and the long series OF
war Office announcements of fresh
preparations for war. The patriotic
thrills aroused by reading these stern
orders were turned to pathos by this
accompanying circular, signed by the
Secretary of War: 1T has been no
ticeed that predominant fashion ex-
lists for young officers to shave the up
per lip. This is much to be regret
ted" The order proceeds to request
the superior officers to take such steps
AS may be necessary TO ensure that
the Queens regulations are observed
The latest news from South Africa
confirms the statements made by the
Cape Town correspondent of the Pail
Mall Gazette in regard to the willing
ness of the Transvaal Government to
grant the seven years franchise. pro
vided it is not regarded as Il pre-
cedent, and the appointment of joint
commission of inquiry.
1t is Negative and Conclusive.
London. Sept. 1S.-The reply of the
Transvaal Government to Mr. Cham
berlain's latest note covers nine pages
1t is eminently of the negative and
inconclusive' character which Mr.
Chamberlain declared would compel
the Imperial Government to consider
the situation afresh. 1t practically re-
pudiates suzerainty, reverts to the
seven years franchise. and declines to
give equality to the Dutch and Eng
lish languages in the Volksraad.
In short. it is negative and defiant
politely. The full text may not he
available for Il day or two, but il will
NOT change the aspect of affairs. The
Cabinet probably will meet on We'd
nesday or Thursday to consider the
next step