Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-10-03
EVE OF BATTLE.
Fighting Confidently Expected
in TransvaaI, Tomorrow.
Beers Already Have Nine Columns on
the Natal Border.
Communication Interrupted Rumored Can.
ture Of Dundee Not Confirmed.

London. Oct. "A special dispatch
from Pretoria says that Gen. Jam Kock
VIII command the Boeer forces on the
Natai Eorder, Commandant Oronje on
the southwestern and Gen. Schalk r-
ger on the eastern frontier. while n.
Malin would be in command at Rust-n-
burg. Altogether there will be nine
generals in command of columns.
A complete plan of campaign has
been arranged with the Orange Free
State.
a rigorous censorship is maintained
over all press kilograms.
President Kruger addressed the
troops which started for the Natal bor-
der. Saturday, appealing to their pat
riotism and wishing them God speed.
Fighting is expected by Wednesday.
The rumor that fighting had already
commenced seems to have originated
at the WOolwich arsenal.
Matters are at standstill and practi-
cally no dispatches from South Africa
has been received, this morning
The Daily Chronicle says it has rea-
son to believe that the formation of a
naval, brigade is contemplated.
Ii is understood that the colonial Of
fee received an import from Sir Alfred
Miner, British high commissioner for
South Africa, yesterday, the contents
Of which. however, have not been made
public
a rumor, which, however. lacked
confrma ton was current at the clubs,
last night, that the Duke of Connaught
would accompany Gen. Sir Redvers
Butler to Africa as imperial commits
Gioner to confer with President Kruger
and President Styne.
London, Oct. 2.-No confirmation is
obtained from any source of the report
contained in a dispatch to the Elk
change Telegraph Co, that the Beers
have captured Dundee.
No exceptional activity was shown at
the government offices. today. Mr..
Chamberlain and the Earl of Selborne
We're absent from the colonial office:
but Lord Lansdswne, Gen. Lord VOL
sely and Gen. Sir Evelyn Wood were
busily engaged at the war Office Gen.
Sir Redvers Butler called at the war
office. this afternoon. and special
board meeting was held. Naturally
nothing Of the discussion was made
Sir Redvers Butler will not proceed for
the Cape until next week. except in case
of unforeseen developments.
Many members of Parliament are re-
turning to town in anticipation of an
early summoning of the House of Par
lament. 1t is the general impression
that. although some speakers many ex-
press disapproval Of the government
policy. few will go to the extreme Of
voting against the required credit. 1t
is considered more probable that they
will abstain from participating in a
Reports from various arsenals and
garrisons in Great Britain testify to the
active continuance of military prepara-
tons. The reserves have received pre-
liminary notice to be prepared and sew
eral regiments have been notified to
hold themselves in readiness for active
service.
1t now appears that the alleged calling
out of the first class army reserves was
a hoax. The circulars were issued on
official paper and many members of the
reserve presented themselves at the bar
racks only to find that the order was
forgery. the police now have the matter
in their hands.
An advertisement appeared, this morn
ing, announcing the formation of a corps
Of gentlemen Rough Riders, patterned
after Roosevelt's Rough Riders, for SER
vice in South Africa.
Advices received from Ladysmith Ma
tai. this morning. says that 600 burgherS
have assembled at Albertna, in the Or
ange Free State, with the object of pro-
ceeding in the direction of the border.
and it is feared that a raid on Ladysmith
Is meditated.
A prominent Englishman, DR.. Wilson,
has been Communicated al Harrismith
by the Orange Free State.
The Natal field artillery, carbineers and
other military commands are encamped
At Show Ground on the road leading to
he Orange Free State.
Gen Sir VIM. Symond. the second in
under Major General Sir George
stewart White. commanding the Natal
'orces, is expected to shrotly arrive ut
Ladysmith
Reports from Cape Town declare that
IN immediate rupture of the diplomatic
ella tiDns between Great Britain and the
Transvaal is expected
The South African official newspaper
announces that a special train has left
o fetch Mr.. Conyngham Greene. the
British diplomatic agent al Pretoria, and
lis staff. 1t adds that the formal haul
ng down of the British flag on the
gency building at Pretoria is imminent.
Continued on page 81