The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-09
PEACE OUTLOOK BETTER.
BRTTIsH CABINETS DECISION IN
REGARD TO TIE TRANsTAAL.
Concessions Demanded From President
Kruger-Troops to he Sent to Africa
From India and England HostiIities
Likely to BE Delayed for Several Weeks.
Sseciai Gable Dapatches to Tue Sun.

LONDON. Sept GA distinct reaction in
the direction OF pence. at any rate so
far as regards the immediate future.
is observable everywhere since the
meeting Of the Cabinet yesterday.
1t is now most probable. unless the
Beers IRE the hrst shot. or q chance
collision OF parties on the frontier precipi-
tates general outbreak. that hostil-
ties will be postponed for several weeks. Hopes
are revived that fresh negotiations will over
come the obstacles In the way OF peaceful set
tlement. although there ia general skepticism
as to the permanency OF any arrangement that
may be reached.
The Standard, a conservative organ, which Of
late has been leading the demand for i'm
mediate hostilities. says this morning:
The Cabinet yesterday decided to give
the Pretoria government another chance
for peace. Mr.. Cham berlain's col
leagues unanimously gave him the most
ample mandate to bring the controversy
to final issue. The Cabinet has
not closed the door to President Kruger. Let
him reflect that in the event Of war. in which
he cannot question the success OF our side at
whatever cost. conditions will undergo an in
evitable change"
EThs Ddi'v Mail this morning says that
it looks as though climb down had
already been effected on the question OF n
Joint franchise conference. 1t adds that the
Cabinet made a notable contribution to the
cause OF peace In taking adequate measures to
ensure respect for the British claims. IL is
believed that the Cabinet did not consider 1t
necessary to convoke Parliament for voting
supplies or calling out the reserves.
The Telegraph says that the Cabinet. at its
meeting yesterday. agreed to the urgent
request made by the Natal Government
g.. 1l.(z
troops to that colony. The reinforce
ments will be drawn equally from
India and Great Britain. At present the
troops will be used for defensive pur-
poses only. There is no question OF an
immediate ultimatum being sent to the
Transvaal. but a categorical answer to Sir
Alfred Miners proposals Is demanded
The Johannesburg correspondent OF the
Standard says that Mr.. Hofmysr. the Afrikan-
der leader. telegraphed Friday that the posi-
tion was black. but not hopeless.
A despatch to the Times from simla says
that the regiments intended Cor service
in South Africa have been ordered
to hold themselves in readiness for
imm ediate departure. but that they have not
been ordered definitely as yet to take up
transport.
The Times says: THE Cabinet took an inn
portant step in the right direction in re-
1uestinE an immediate and categorical
reply to the demands first advanced
by Sir Alfred Miner at the Bloemfontein
conference. and at the same time author
izing endorsements In case OF mega
tive reply. When these reinforcements
shall have reached Africa the total British
force there will be 5000 men. which ought
to be sufficient to secure the colonial 'front.'
iers against incursions. There is nothing
resembling a war fever in this country. but
public opinion unquestionably hardened as it
became plain that the real issue ia whether or
not the supremacy OF the imperial government
in South Africa Ia to remain a reality"
LONDON. Sept. S.-A large crowd Assem- bled In
Downing street at II 30 this morning to see tho
Cabinet officers arrive. This was very I'M
usual circumstance. Tho police we're not
expecting a crowd. and were unable to prevent
many persons from entering the Government
offices until reinforcemsnts arrived. Every
Minister was present except Niscount Cross.
the Lord Prlvy Seal who is at Balmoral.
Besides sending a strongly worded cable
despatch asking President Kruger to answer
tho British demands within a fixed time. it
IL understood that tho Cabinet ratified the
orders for the movement OF troops from
India to Natal. which has already begun. and
also for the reinforcement ofthe South African
sanctioned are not regarded as being numer-
GUS enough to allow the British to take the
offensive and others are likely to follow.
The Pail Mall Gazette says that an unofficial
account OF the Cabinet meeting 10 to the effect
that the Ministers are absolutely Of one mind.
The upshot Of the proceedings. It is believed.
will be that d strongly worded reply will be
sent to State Secretary Reitzs latest despatch.
This reply. 1t is said. will contain telling ex-
position OF the British case with point blank
refusal to entertain the proposal that England
should rein1uish her suzerainty over the
Transvaal. There is also to be pertinent re-
mnder OF the offer for Joint Inquiry. The
franchise proposals. the despatch will say.
cannot remain open indefinitely. Though not
an ultmatum in form. the despatch Is one in
effect.
At the Admiralty everything is in an ad-
vanced state In regard to tho requirements OF
the War ONCE in the matter OF trans portation
facilities. A large mum Der OF shlpowners and
agents called at the Admiralty office this
morning and offered the use OF ships. No de-
cison has yet been reached as to whether the
vessels shall be taken. The general feeling at
the public departments and clubs Is that hos
ti,ties are inevitable.
The stock market is dsorganized owing to
the crisis in the Transvaal. Mining stocks are
altogether neglected. dealers refusing to trade
In them. Consols fell y. Home railroads
declined !, to ! on forced realizations. Ameri-
can and foreign railroads are fat
CAPE TowN. Sept. SIT is stated that the
Transvaal will join both the Cape Town con-
ference and the Joint inquiry. There was some
doubt hitherto as to whether the republic had
accepted both This is said to have been due
to the tact that the negotiations had become
so involved that the Transvaal Government
itself became confused.
Arms and ammunition are being distributed
gratis in the northern districts Of Natal.
The Government has ordered a reduction Of
80 per cent. in the ;hird-class railroad
fare from Johannesburg. This action
is taken in order to give the
poor people OF that city chance to leave.
many Of them who were anxious to get away
being prevented from doing so by lack OF
money to pay the fare demanded.
PRETORIA. Sept SIN his speech to the
Voksraad yesterday President KRUGER said
that he would swear before God that there was
no suzerainty over the TranSvAal. but that for
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