The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-17
The Contents of the Beers Reply
Being Eagerly Awaited.
BELIEVED TO BE A DEFIANCE.
Little Else Could be Expected From
the Tenor of Their Recent Cons
municatiOns Great Excite
mcnt Prevails at Pretoria
over Consequences That
May Ensue.

Copyright 1892 The Associated PressJ
LONDON. Sept l6.-sunday will be an
anxious day for Great Britain The
Transyaal reply to the British Government
is known TO have been formulated. and
is In the hands OF the British agent at
Pretoria Furthermore, the wires at tho
Foreign Office are busy with a long dis
patch from the British High Commission
er IN South frica. Sir Alfred Miner, TO
the Secretary OF state for the Colonies.
Joseph Chamberlain. which Is being rapid
ly repeated 10 the latter's Birmins ham
home. so that the contents Of the Boer
republic will probably rest tonight with
Great Brtains secretary.
Unless South Africa is po>.lled with false
prophets the Beers have either evoded
OF dehcd what practically amounted 10 an
uitlmatum from the British Cabinet.
From the tenor Of their recent communi-
cations 90 Mr. Chamberlain. they could
scarcely Doe expected 10 DO otherwise.
NOT A CERTAINTY
However, as frequently pointed cut in
these dispatches. this presumed action on
the part of the Beers does not make war
20 certainty though IL does place tho
British Cabinet I'm a position where IL
must take steps so aggressive that war or
utter ignomini0us submission VIII be tho
only alternatives remaining 10 the Trans
yaal This new serious phase Of the crisis
also gravely increases the probability that
the Beers Will take time and diplomacy
by the foreOck and raid Natal. coniis-
cate the mines. arrest the Outlanders for
high treason. and otherwise resent while
the British troops are i'm mid-Occan. what
they believe is an attempt 10 rob them OF
their Independence. n the course OF d.
plomacy is not foreshortcned the British
Cabinet will meet again and formulate
specific demands far more sweeping than
the recent ones. These Will be transmitted
20 President Kruger IN the shape OF an
ultlmatum
As the members Of the Cabinet are scat
tered throughout the country Il - I'M
probable a council could De gathered I'll
Monday night az the earliest and there
is every reason 90 believe the British
Government will exhibit no undue haste
In forcing President Krugers hand. for
it is papably more important 20 have
r. 600 reinforcemcnts on the scene of ac-
ton than gain the gratitude OF the inn
Fortunate Outlanders. who for weeks have
been crying for immediate aggressive sc-
tiOn. The logic of such "a policy must te
equally patent TO President Kruger. and
IL is hardly conceivable that be will wait
the arrival of the British reinforcements
before the initiative. IL he displays such
hesitation be will strengthen the belief
at the very last moment that he Intends 20
back down, an impression whlch has
many supporters among the ultra-con-
servatvey inclined
TROOPS FOR NATAL.
The first battalion OF the Northumber-
uH
mcnts of the army service corps and ord
n zee corps. sailed on the steamer Gaul
al j. ~. today from southampton en-
route 90 Natal amid great enthusiasm.
The men appeared 20 be IN splendid con-
dtiOn and openly anxious fOr dghting.
REPLY HANDED IN.
PRETORIA. Sept. l6-rhc reply OF tho
Transvaal government was hand 20 the
Brush agent here. Mr Conyngham Greene
az lloclock this morning 10 will be- pub
lshed here Monday at o'clock A. NJ
There are no further developments IN
tho situation.
CAPETOWN. September lG-Further
ielegrlms from Pretoria to-day confirm
the forecast OF the reply OF the rransyaal
TO Great Britain which does not accept
the demands OF the British government
as a whole.
Great excitement prevails az Pretoria
over the consequences which may en-
sue.
The young Beers are asking 20 be led
INTO the field Immediately II Is lmpossi-
bic 10 predict what will be the situation
after the delivery OF the reply IN Lon-
lOn.
The feeling here ls that Il VIII be I'M
possible for the imperial government.
and undignhed upon ms part. 20 again en-
.er upon an interchange OF arguments.
The Royal Muster regiment has arrived