Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-10-06


undertaken a joint semi ficial peace
mission and had actuall- started for
Pretoria, where they ougi to have ar
rived last evening, when ter messages
from the Transvaal capital declared that
the Boer government knew nothing of
this alleged mission. and that in any
event nothing could preserve peace but
the withdrawal of the British demands
While it is not necessary TO accept all
the sensational statements regarding
the advance of the Beers. there is not
jot of evidence going TO show that
the Burghers contemplate receding.
Up to 2 o'clock this afternoon moth
ing had arrived to confirm the dispatch
from New Castle TO the Daily Tele-
graph. announcing that a general ad-
vance of the Boer forces began yester-
day. The war Office and the colonial
Office profess entire ignorance in the
matter, but this is in consonance with
the attitude toward the press.
Another New Castle special forward
ed later than that TO the Daily Tele-
graph contradicts the first and declares
that all was quiet on the border last
evening and that there was not sign
Of a Boer advance.
The next news regarding this alleged
invasion OF Natal is awaited with anX-
ious interest. The statement in the
Daily Telegraph's special thatthere were
no British troops nearer New Castle
than those at Ladysmith is obviously
an error, as 5000 British troops are en-
camped at Dundee.
Although to-day's news from South
Africa is Enthusiastically grave, the adj
vocates of peace still derive a glimpse
Of hope from some of the dispatches
that the stage of negotiation is not yet
finally terminated.
A distinctly serious and ugly state
ment comes from New Castle to the
effect that armed Kafars accompany the
Boer commanders. This would be an
absolute breach OF the conditions sup
posed to govern warfare among civil
lied nations; and, If true, presages
scenes worse than even the gloomiest
forecasts.
From other New Castle advices it
appears that the premier Of Natal has
telegraphed the military authorities
that they can render New Castle no as
sistance, adding that if the Beers in
tend to attack the town, resistance
would be futile, and that the women
and children should be sent away and
the town surrendered.
An unconfirmed report says that mar
tial law has been proclaimed in the
Transvaal
Advices from Bloemfontein. the CAPT
tai Of the Orange Free State, presents
most animated appearance. Armed
burghers go about everywhere, although
the government still processes hopes
of peace.
A special dispatch form johannes
burg says: CAS- a natural result of the
panic there is considerable lawlessness.
The regular distribution of letters has
ceased. The government has eomman-
deered all dynamite and cyanide sup
plies which have been removed and
placed under strict guard at various
depots. A strong guard has been sta
toned at the reservoir to prevent tam
pering with the water"
PRETORIA, October 5.-F. w. Reitz.
the Transvaal secretary Of state. in the
course of an interview given yesterday
to a representative Of the Associated
Press, said:
1.-The Transvaal government IS await
ing the next imperial dispatch, which
ought to contain the final proposals Of
Great Britain The British agent,
Conyngham Green, has informed me
that the dispatch is in course OF pre-
paration. but that some days will eIapse
before ii will be ready.
in the meantime the Transvaal
forces are mobilizing and going to the
frontier. The government, however.
has issued strict instructions to COM
mandants and all other military Off
GERS on no account to violate British
territory"
Several boxes OF bar gold. which we're
lodged at the National Bank OF the
South African Republic. were this after
noon Communicated by the Transyaal
government, who gave companies full
receipts.
The German group offered no objec-
ton provided sufficient funds were left
TO pay working expenses.
A DEFENSIVE MOVEMENT.
MAFEKING, October Sit is as
s1~+aa hara an rcts2rsfa a,14hn~fsr that