The Van Buren press., 1899-10-07


semi-otficial exchange of views IS
proceeding between Russia, France
and Germany, with reference to the
1TansYaal crisis.
London, Oct. 5.-Advices from Cape
Town announce that Gen. Sir George
Stewart White, who will command the
British forces in Natal, will proceed
to Durham. On his arrival at Cape
Town he found the situation ON the
Natal border so grave that he wired
for immediate transportation for him
sell and staff to Durham, and the Brit
ish second class cruiser Forte was
placed at his disposal.
Say Time Is Up.
A London news agency publishes the
following dispatch from Volllsrust,
Transyaal, dated October 8:
AN unconfrmed report is in circu-
lation here that the time allowed the
British troops to withdraw from the
Transvaal border will expire at four
O'Clock Wednesday afternoon, and that
failure to comply with the demand
will be considered tantamount to Il
declaration of war"
The British foreign office this af-
ternoon informed press agents that
absolutely nothing was known there
of any Transyaal demand for the with
drawal of the British troops from the
frontier
VIII support the Government.
A meeting of liberal members of the
house of commons, including several
former members of liberal cabinets.
was held this morning at the private
residence of the leader of the liberal
opposition in the house, Sir Henry
ampbell-Banerman. The subject un-
der consideration was the govern
ment's South African policy; and the
meeting resolved to support the gov.
ernment on the reassembling of par
lament, even at the expense of placing
the present official leaders of the lib
erel party in conflict with their for
mer colleagues, Sir William Vernon
llarcourt and Mr.. John Morley.
Guessing on BOer Movements.
The various announcements regard
ing Boer movements seem to indicate
their probable plan of campaign in the
event of hostilities. Their chief force,
apparently, would surround the mar
row stretch of Natal territory jutting
into the Transvaal, thus threatening
Laing's Neck, Charlestown and Dun
dee, while the Orange Free State com
mando, from Harrismith, is expected
TO operate near Van Reeman's pass,
and threatening Ladysmith.
Military critics are confident that
Great Britain will hold her own in
Natal The Free State commanders
appear to be moving slowly. 1t is
probable that the government has
loaned a portion of the Free State ar
tllery to the Transvaal. The only
concentration at present is at Harri
smith, in the northeastern section OF
the Free State, and at Boshof, north
west of Blocmfontein.
Boer Artillery Strength.
The report regarding the extent of
Boer artillery is probably exaggerated,
as it is believed the burghers possess
few field guns, and it is unlikely that
they would dismantle their forts in
order to send garrison pieces to the
front.
The military authorities estimate
there are now 10000 Beers in the field.
WIN They Back Down.
Late advices from Cape Town ind-
cate widespread impression there
that, unless the Beers begin hostili-
ties by Thursday, they will not fighr,
but yield to the imperial demands
when formulated.
The Cape house of assembly agreed
10 a motion instructing the Cape gov
ernment to demand the speedy return
TO Cape Colony of any and all rolling
stock now in the Orange Free State
or the Transvaal.
In the Gold Fields.
Orders have been issued from Pre-
toria closing all the saloons in the
gold fields.
The Transvaal government has taken
over the Perreira mines, and all the
mines in the gold fields. A group of
five of the Eckstein mines have been
closed.
More Troops in Natal.
Additional transports with troops
from India have arrived at Durham,
Natal, and will proceed to the front
Immediately. 1t is rumored there that
the Beers are Withdrawing from the
Natal border. owing to lack of forage.
Grabbed English Gold.
London. Oct. 5.-The most sensa-
London, Oct. 4.-The most sensa-
tional news from South Africa is a
reiteration of Tuesdays report of the
acquisition by the Transyaal authori-
Ties of { 100000 gold, which was on
the way 10 Cape Town from Johannes
burg. The confirmation OF the story
comes from two sources.
The Cape Argus asserts that the
Beers made the seizure at Nereenigeng,
the amount being the weeks shipment
of gold on the way from the Rand 10
Cane Town, and forwarded the treas
ure TO Pretoria. The report is also con-
firmed by cablegram received by a
mining company in London from their
representative, which is to the affect
that the train upon which he was