The record-union., 1899-10-11
The TransysaI's Chief Magistrate Issues an
UItimatum to the British.
Demands That All Her Troops Be
withdrawn From the Border of
the Republic, and Those En-
Route to South Africa Shall Not
Be Landed.

ment states that war with the Trans
vaal will probably begin tonight
"wednesday. The Premier felt it his
duty to warn the people. public
meeting was held, and it was decided
to leave the matter in the hands of the
corporation.
Ex-Premier Escombe, who is a pro-
Boer, spoke reassuringly, stating that
there was no immediate danger; that
he anticipated no harm from the
Beers, and there was no panic, the
people leaving at their own discretion
LONDON, Oct. 10.-A London news
agency publishes the following dispatch
from Pretoria, filed there 7:40 p. m.
yesterday:
AN urgent dispatch has just been
handed to Conyngham Greene, the
British diplomatic agent, requesting an
explicit assurance of the withdrawal
within forty-eight hours Of the British
well as the withdrawal of all the Brit
ish forces landed in South Africa since
the Bloemfontein conference"
The ultimatum, which is signed by
F. w. Reitz. Secretary of State, con-
cludes as follows:
Her majesty's unlawful interven-
tion in the internal affairs of this re-
public, in conflict with the London
convention of 1884, by the extraor-
binary strengthening of her troors in
the neighborhood of the borders of this
republic, has caused an intulerable
condition of things to arise, which this
Government feels itself obliged in the
!, Interest not only of this republic, but
also of all South Africa, to make an
end as soon as possible, and tbs Gov
ernment feels itself called uoon and
obliged to press earnestly and with
emphasis for an immediate termination
of this state of things. and to request
her majesty's Government to give as
surances upon the following four de-
mands:
"First-That all points of mutual
differences be regulated by friendly re-
course TO arbitration, or by whatever
amicable way that may be agreed up
on by this and her majesty's Govern
ment
''Second-That all troops on the bor-
ders Of this republic shall be instantly
withdrawn.
"Third-That all reinforcements of
troops, which have arrived in South
Africa since June /, 1899, shall be re-
F,.s1 1t n
reasonable time to be agreed upon
with this Government, and with the
mutual assurance and guarantee on
the part of this Government that no
attack upon or hostilities against any
portion of the possessions of the Brit
ish Government shall be made by this
republic during the further negotia-
tions, within a period of time to be
subsequently agreed upon between the
Governments; and this Government
will on compliance Herewith be pre-
pared to withdraw the armed Burgh-
ers of this republic from the borders.
"Fourth-That her majestys troops
which are now on the high seas shall
not be landed in any part of South
Africa"
definition Of the time limit for a reply
This Government presses for an Inn
mediate and an affirmative answer to
these four questions, and earnestly re-
quests her majesty's Government to
return an answer before or upon
Wednesday. October IL, 1899, not later
than o'clock p. m.
1T desires further to add that in the
event of an answer unsatisfactory be-
ing received by 1t within the interval
it will greatly regret to be compelled
to regard the action of her majesty's
Government as a formal declaration
of war, and will not hold itself re-
sponsible for the consequences thereof
and that in the event of any further
movement of troops occurring within
the aforementioned time in a nearer
direction to our border this Govern
ment will be compelled to regard tha:
also as a formal declaration of war.
II have the honor to be, respectfully
yours, F. w. REITz'
Estate Secretary"
The effect of the news of the Trans
vaaI ultimatum upon the Stock Ex-
change was steadying. Kaffirs were
firmer in the belief that the most gig
antic gold industry in the world viii
be incorporated in British colony as
the outcome of the war.
The text of the Transvaal ultimatun
il is understood is on the way to the
British Foreign Office. According tc
the latest advices the time limit eX-
pires tomorrow afternoon at 3 O'Clock
When. if the demands of the Beers art
not complied with, the further landing
of or dispatching of troops will be con-
sidered an act of war, and hostilities
will commence.
In ordinary circumstances, as Great
Britain is the Government making the
emands, she would be the dispatcher
of the ultimatum. and the fact that the
Beers have taken the initiative is re-
garded as rendering the situation more
serious, and increasing the hopeless
ness of ayerting war.
The more peaceful tenor of the morn
ing's news and comments had scarcely
been digested and aroused hopes thai