Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-11
KRUGER MAKES A BAD PLAY
His Ultimatum Irritates His Friends in tn,
English Parliament.
PEACE PARTY STRUCK WITH BLANK DlSMA>
England VIII Not Take aggressive
Action for Some Time and War is
Not Imminent Unless Beers
Take Initiative.

CaDleg gfam-SpeClal leleSTdHJ- Nal az
last" were the significant words in which
posters of the evening lingo papers heralded
the news of Kruger's ultimatum. 1t was
received with joy by the advocates of war
and blank dismay by the peace party. One
immediate consequence is that the govern
ment will ask Parliament for vote of credit
for fifty or sixty millions instead Of thirty
five and as the Beers have taken the ag-
grossive the opposition cannot refuse the
government means to carry on the war
In fact, the feeling in political quarters
tonight is that Kruger has egregicusly
played into Chamberlain's hands and has
undoubtedly irritated the dsheartened lib
erals. who we're determined to fight for
fair terms for the republic in the House
of Commons. The ultimatum suddenly
shifted interest from a political to mill
tary situation. On this score the war office
Processes no anxiety. The rapid dispatch and
landing of the Indian contingent. owing to
the perfect organization of the Indian trans
port department., which is entirely inde-
pendent of the war office here has removed
the anxiety respecting the safety of Natal.
The Beers doubtless will occupy Laing's
Mex, but military strategists insist that
under the present conditions of warfare and
the improvement of mountain howitzers
Laing's Mex is nothing more than death
trap.
There can be no question for weeks of any
aggressive action on the British side, as the
English are determined to take no risk OF
another defeat at the hands of the Beers.
Then, again, it should be contrary to Boer
traditions to take the offensive. So it is
deemed possible that state of war without
active hostiities may ensue for some time,
but it is pointed out that Kruger's ultima
ma bo ipylpc
the only hope the Beers have of striking an
effective blow is to strike instantly.
Kruger Abnndons Hope of Pence.
The first inspired and accurate informa-
ton respecting the terms of Chamberlain's 8
first suspended dispatch was published here
yesterday, tallying completely with the ex
elusive news cabled last Friday week
Kruger launched his ultimatum imme-
diately he became cognizant of the nature
| of the demands Chamberlain had formu-
lated which were only cabled for formal
presentation to the Pretoria government
| yesterday. This is taken as indicating that
Kruger has abandoned all hope of peace,
British demands being so greatly in ex-
cess of what the republic could possibly
grant. 1t is the intention of the British
government to make the Rand gold industry
| pay d large pTOpOIllOu VI tlue eApSuSeb VI
war, which they can afford to do, owing to
the relief anticipated from the heavy Boer
taxes.
The annual congress of the Anglican
church is now proceeding in London and
w. T. Stead created tremendous sensa-
tion today by denouncng the war with the
Transvaal. At one of its meetings he was
fercely interrupted by sections of the au-
| 1pho regoptad Introduction n
the topic, but was also supported by others.
He said:
"War may be a sacred but terrible duty,
but war for revenge is murder. I am speak
| ing as to the avowed motives of those who
are clamorng for it, II any Of you are in
any doubt as to the real motive which
surges through our peoples hearts these
days, go to Waterloo station as you could
have gone this morning; hear the hoarse
cry which arises as our poor soldiers go
off; remember Majuba. My friends If you
are not afraid to contemplate war entered
into from motives Of vengeance, then I say
your religion is a farce, your Christianity
| is mockery and sham"
| The speech ended in storm Of cheering
and cries of dissent
| w. H. Lecky, M. p, the eminent historian,
being asked his opinion of the arbitration
| pTOpCSdl, WIOS lIOm EUBlduu
would welcome American mediation. She
asks only common rights for her people,
Beers May Begin HostiIitics.
The Daily Mail war correspondent al
| Mafeking cables: "Feeling is strong here
that the Beers intend to cross the border
tomorrow. Every precaution has been taken
by Colonel Jaden Powell and there is not
the least doubt II the attack is made the
enemy will get warm reception. The
troops sleep tonight under arms with horses
saddled ready for immediate service. Pieces
of artillery have been mounted on all points
commanding the approach to the town house
which is strongly barrcaded and loopholed
Almost the entire population of the plac,
carries arms. There is reason to believe
that similar Boer advances may at any mo-
ment be made on Vryburg"
The Daily Telegraph's war correspondent
at Ladysmith says: mo troops are nortl
of Ladysmith and Glencoe with the eXcep
tion Of about thirty mounted police. Tht
country thereabouts is at the mercy of tn,
enemy and the population, particularly th
blacks have mostly fed The enemy Il
patrolling the borders of Natal adjoining thu
Transvaal and the Free State. Their mali
camps are usually about four to nine mile
inside their own territory, but dispatch rid
ers on horses and cycles are continually
going to the outposts stationed upon tn
mountains OF Drakenberg, whence EXTENSIVE
views of Natal are obtained. They contro
Laing's Mex from Pogwat, where they hav
guns"
The Daily Telegraphs special correspond
ent at Pietermaritzburg cables: "A high
placed military officer whom / have con
suited considers the present force in Nata
not only adequate to protect the colony
but take the Transvaal itself Miltar
opinion generally is that the Boer fghtn
power has been enormously overrated."
The Standards Charlestown correspond
ent says: Il have returned here from
brief visit to Pietermaritzburg and fin
the situation on the northern frontier muc
t the same as three days ago According t
: reports from the other side of the borde
the Beers under Joubert's command ar
: hdgeting at the prolonged lull and grumbl
a good deal at the inactivity OF the Leaders
Besides the force at Sandspruit body
between 5000 and 5000 men is concentrate
on the borders of the Free State, close
: Van Nlemans Pass over which the railwa
a runs from Ladysmith to Harrismith, TheI
is no telling how soon the struggle ma
, begin"