The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-09-28
IHB BRITISH IN AFRICA.
Frank Statement Of Sir Walter
Peace, Natal Agent in London.
MUST AssuME,ABsoLuTeooHrRoL

- Ob = AVN " ~ A'xA ~ - SVAS = ASS -
The Whole of South Africa, Declares
Sir Walter. Must Come Under tho
British Flag Says the Fighting VIII
Be Over In Two Months.
London, Sept. 2S.-Notices for the
adjourned cabinet council were for
warded yesterday afternoon, and the
chief government whip will be on hand
to give immediate effect to any de-
cision arrived at regarding the reas-
sembling OF parliament.
Information from Bloemfontein last
evening leaves little doubt that the
Orange Free State volksraad is unani-
nous in supporting the Transvaal.
Most important light Is thrown on
the situation by frank statement by
Sir Walter Peace, agent general for
Natal in London, who fought against
the Beers in former years. He said:
1.-THE attitude of the Orange Free
State means its inevitable acquisition
by Great Britain. Peace in South At
RIGA can only be accomplished by war.
In my opinion war would not last
more than two months. In order to
make pacifcation effective Great
Britain must assume absolute control
over the whole of South Africa.
$50 far as the position Of Natal Is
concerned all this talk about poor, un.
defended Natal is nonsense. There
will be little or no fighting in Natal,
If 1t comes to war, and l fear that
no other issue Is now possible. What
do you think 10000 British troops
would be doing while this much talk
ed Of Boer raid was in progress?
1.-TWO months from the day General
Sir Redvers Butler lands the fighting
will be over. If the Free State had
been loyal fighting would not have
lasted IA days. 1t is the luckiest thing
in the world, however, that the Free
State has been foolish enough to take
hostile attitude for that means her
addition to British possessions" n
The Cape Town correspondent of
The Daily News says: The pass of
Laings Mex was occupied today with
sufficient strength for present needs.
under the belief that the Beers will
attack Natal Immediately, hoping to
forestall the landing of the Indian con-
tingent
The Cape Town correspondent Of
The Daily Mail says: "The Beers, I
believe, will construe the occupation
of Laings Mex as an act of hostility,
British members of the Cape house Of
assembly freely criticize Englands un-
preparedness and predict serious re-
al Inv ,,t,,y x,f
colonists in the adjoining republics.
This is no fairy tale, but an honest
opinion of members Of parliament
here"
The Daily Telegraph publishes the
following from Its correspondent in
Cape Town:
81 regret to note universal opinion
that war is very near. Everywhere
the Beers are active and bellicose.
They are arming, equipping and stor-
ing supplies for protracted strug-
gle. The Transvaal government has
failed in an attempt to purchase 10000
sacks Of wheat here. but Boer agents
are securing South Africa to buy cam
paign provisions. Proof accumulates
of the existence of a great Dutch con-
spiracy against British supremacy in
South Africa The Free State is be-
lieved to be involved, and there is no
doubt that the Orange government Is
intent on war. Many Beers in the
northern districts of Cape Colony are
joining our probable enemy. The
Dutch republics will together be able
to muster $4,000 men, nearly all
mounted. l learn that the Free State
mas decided to put 10000 into the
field"
A few days now should witness u
definite development in the crisis. The
volksraad was sitting in secret session
less had the result of the deliberations
Of the Orange Free State volksraad
to guide them in making a decision
as to the reply to Mr.. Chamberlain's
latest dispatch, which will probably
be handed to the British diplomatic
agent at Pretoria, Mr.. COnyngham
Greene, today, and he discussed by the
British cabinet tomorrow.
It is understood that the next Brit
ish note will virtually demand the a5-
solnte fulfllment OF the conventions
of 1881 ard 1894. which have been vio-
lated in numerous points. but will ac-
cent five years limit for the fran
chise.
According to the Pretoria correspon-
dent of The Daily Chronicle it is be-
lieved in the highest quarters there
that settlement is even vet possible
il Great Britain will propose moderate
terms and at the same time make it
clearly understood that these will be
regarded as final
Other dispatches from South Az
RIGA, however, anticipate that Presi-
dent Kruger will continue obdurate
and represent the situation as of the
gravest character. Dispatches from
Pretoria and Johannesburg speak of
the probability of hOstilities within a
week