The age-herald., 1899-10-10
PREPARATloNsvAsT
25,ooo Reserves Summoned to Rejoir
 Their Colors

that 25 900 reserves had already been sum moned to rejoin the colors.
 As a matter of fact, General Sir Revers Bullner will have command of twice as many British soldiers as the Duke of Well llngton, the conqueror of Napoleon, and the largest ever collected on one battlefield.
 The reasons back of this lavish display are probably fear of a native rising and possibly conviction of the advisability of showing Europe that Great Britain is pre- pared to resent any reaction resulting from the prevailing continental ill-will.
 In this connection the action of the Amer fcan department of state and the friendly statements of President Mckinley and Sec retary of State Hay. published here, are heartily welcomed as a happy return for Great Britains refusal to sanction conti- mental intervention in the war between the United States and Spain.
 roers Pursuing a Delicate Policy
 As the Boers failed to attack Natal when tine colony was vulnera ble, dt is beginning ito be felt that they are pursuing a dell cate policy of waiting for the proposals, remaining in the meantime on the defensive in the hope of thus winning the sympa thies of the world and perhaps the support of other nations. and leaving to great Britain the ignoring of starting hostilities.
 If they await the advance of General Sir Revers Bllner it is conceivable that peace will not be broken during the present year. Should that prove the case, and should the alleged wastage in the Boer commanders continue, the force confronting the British commanding general will neither be as nu- merous nor efficient as that now en- camped along the Natal border.
 Events have thus seemed to shape them- selves to secure ample pause for considera- tion. All the proposals in the correspond ence between President Steyn, of the Or ange Free State, and Sir Alfred Milner, British high commissioner in South Africa, show that the negotiations were proceed ing up to October 6, and that neither dis paired of peace, Sir Alfred Milner saying he was'sure any reasonable proposal would be favorably considered by the British gov ernment.
 President Steyn's virtual proposal of neutral zone to be created pending further attempts at concilia ton meets with coL- siderable approval.
 rumor is current that the political in- terest of the situation may shortly ,n- crease, as it is alleged that the managers of the Unionist party now in Great Britain are strongly urging the government to dis solve parliament after the necess ary credit is voted to go to the electorate in the par liamentary general election upon the broad issue of the governments policy in South Africa.
 The real intentions of the premier, the Marquis of Salisbury, may be expected to be made pubic soon.
 Appropriation bills will occupy three weeks The legislative plans of the gov ernment win not be disclosed until parlia- ment meets again in February and no pri- vate bills will be allowed to be intro- duced.
 Owing to the drain on military sources, all colonial relefs have been stopped for year.
 The secretary of state for the colonies, Mir Joseph Chamberlain, returned to Lon don this morning.
 From the continent comes an unconfirmed report that preparations are being made for an organized attack upon the mines by na- lives and the destruction of the plants.
 A report is in circulation here of an or ganization of corps of volunteers to aid the DurgnerS, put IL iacKS cOnnrmatlOh.
 Could Not be Too Careful
 The Duke of Devonshire, lord president of the council of minister's speaking at Shelf field today said that the deductions made from his recent speech at Manchester re- garding tine Transvaal situation had warned him that a member of the government could not be too careful. Matters have not become more critical during the last few rays," remarked the duke, "and I trust this interval for reflection may conduce to a pacific settlement"
 His grace added, however, that he was afraid the only hopeful sign was the fact that the government of the South African Republic did not appear inclined to precipt- tate any acts of aggression upon English territory, such as their previous prepara- tdons led the British government to antici- pate as within the possibilities. No doubt tine longer such an attempt should be de- layed. the less would be the probability of even a temporary success.
 ; Although the government does not con- sider it rtgfrt," said his grace, ito relax any measures deemed necessary. and all though prepara tions for the possible cam paign are still in full progress, I think I may say that the country may rest as- sured that no irrevokable step will be taken until the Transvaal has received and has had full opportunity to consider those demands which the British government consider necessary to protect the rights Of their fellow-citizens and to safeguard Brit ish interests in South Africa.
 Wise Counsels May Assert Themselves
 "In these circumstances there is chance that wiser counsels than have hitherto pre- walled may assert themselves.
 CT do not complain of the speech for in- dependence, although it may be doubted that such utterances tend to peace; but a different kind of responsibility rests upon those directly connected with the govern ment. Though do not regret anything I said on former occasion when dealing with tads question, yet the speech gave rise to certain negotiations and I was warned that at the present time member of the government cannot be too careful of what he says and that the wisest thing, per- haps, is to abstain even from good works.
 ''There is no reason, in my opinion, to apprehend that matters have assumed more critical stage, and I trust that the interval for reflection may conduce to set