Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-09-02
ARE WORRIED.
London Realizes That TransvaaI
Is no Weak -Kneed Adversary.
ALARMING TURN
Fifteen Hundred Persons Leave
Transvaal Since Trouble Began
Cuban Census to BE Taken shortly
- Jiminez Under Arrest - War
News OF Many Nations.

News OF Many Nations.
London, Aug. 30.-The Times, referring
this morning editorially to the statement
OF William +. Schreiner the Cape pie
mier, that in the event of war he would
do his best to keep the Cape Colony aloof
from the struggle, says: This is start
ling misconception of duty. When the
government of the queen declares war.
1t is the duty of all loyal subjects, what
ever their position not to keep aloof, but
to do their utmost TO bring the struggle
to successful end.
Commenting on the latest utterance
OF President Kruger that the South
African republic adhered to its latest
offer and would not make any further
concessions, the London papers unan!-
mousy draw attention to the increased
seriousness of the Transvaal crisis.
But in the same breath they express
uncertainty regarding the nature of the
concessions beyond which President
Kruger says he will not CO. No official
announcement has been made of these,
though they are generally understo oc d to
be a tive-year franchise and increased
outlander representation.
To whatever dispatch or conditions
President kruger's defiant remark re-
ferred, 1t has brought home sharply the
keen possibility of an impending war
against no Weakened adversary. 1t
IS lid that with recruits from over the
borders the Transvaal would have about
$4,000 men at its disposal, whereas, the
most the British now could throw OH the
frontier would be 30 900, though of course
this number would be materially in
creased within a MONTH
The British public is taking intense in.
terest In the preparations of their own
forces already in South Africa. Indigna-
tlon against w. =. Schreiner, premier of
cape Colony, who, in the Cape house of
assembly, declared that under the Gus
toms convention, the Orange Free State
was justified in importing arms through
cape Colony, is fairly general though
that section which believes that Boer
war would be crime are making by
editorials. petitions, ETC., what they ap-
pear to think Is the last effort to avert
hostlities.
The Pretoria correspondent OF The
Daily Chronicle says:
Great Britain, at the request of the out
landers' council, has enlarged the orig
inal demands of Sir Alfred Milner, the
British high commits sioner, and is adopt
Ing the view of Cecil Rhodes that Presi-
dent Kruger will never withstand an
ultimatum.
l have, however high authority for
asserting that President Kruger the
liz 4 4,
resist an unconditional demand for CIV
ing effect to the Miner program. but will
concede reforms on the conditions al
ready reported.
The Cape Town correspondent of The
Daily Mail says: A pitiable scene was
witnessed at the railway station Tues
day on the arrival from Joha hannesburg
Of $50 children whose parents are too
poor to come themselves. 1t Is esti-
mated that $1,000 persons have left the
Transvaa since the crisis began.
In the house of assembly Tuesday the
government announced that it was con-
sidering Il proposal to afford greater
facilities for women and children to
leave Johannesburg.
Bechuanaland Is in a state of ferment,
owing to fears of Boer raid. Colonel
Baden-Powell's forces there are wholly
inadequate to protect such an extended
frontier, and the Beers appear to be
quietly concentrating in the es tern Fart
Of the Transvaal
A Boer spy has been arrested in
Ramattabama camp, in British Be
chuanaland.
The Johannesburg Standard and Dig
gers News credits General Joubert, the
commander-in-chief Of the Transvaal
forces and vice president of the republic.
with the statement that, although lie is
personally desirous to do everything to
preserve peace, the situation is such that
the republic must be prepared for war.
Washington. Aug. 3O.-It is expected
that the presidents proclamation re-
lating to the taking of the census in
Cuba will be made public at Havana
very soon. Although it is we'll known
that the taking of the census is intended
as preliminary step to the establish
ment of a Republican form of govern
ment in Cuba, it is positively stated at
the war department that there is moth
Ing In the census proclamat ton to justify
the assertion that the United States in
tends to give immediate independence
to Cuba. The taking of the census will
be followed by municipal elections and
the inauguration of autonomy in locai-
ties where 1t is demonstrated that 1t is
practicable and eXpedient. The taking
of the census will require at least two
months constant labor. and it Is prob
able that the complete returnnS will not
be tabulated before the beginning of next
year. The withdrawal of American
troops and the termination of the eX-
isting military government is not looked
for, at the earliest, for several months
yet.
The Cubans have been seeking to COM
memorate the opening of the first war
for independence. which began Oct 10,
1868, by beginning the taking of the
census on Oc,. 10 next as the census is
regarded as one of the evidences of
Cuba's progress toward self-rule and
independence. 1t was finally decided,
however, not to give n political aspect
to this purely administrative duty, and
the date for beginning the taking Of the
census has been fixed for Oct. 16. The
work will begin simultaneously in all the
provinces, and the enumeration will be
accomplished within few weeks. Only
a few days will be required Coy the cities
and towns. but the rural districts and
the mountainous and inaccessible local-
ties will require considerable time.
Santiago. Aug. SO.-General Jiminez,
the revolutionary aspirant to the presi-
dency of Santo Domingo, who arrived
here Tuesday. with his two sons. by the
Big swindIe in Progress.