The San Francisco call., 1899-09-28

the adjourned Cabinet council
were forwarded this afternoon
IL and the chief Government whip
will be on hand to give imme-
diate effect TO any decision arrived at
regarding the reassembling Of Parlia-
ment.
Information from Bloemfontein this
evening leaves little doubt that the
Orange Free State Volksraad is unani-
nous IN supporting the Transvaal.
Most important light is shown upon
the situation by a frank statement to-
day by Sir Walter Pierce, agent gen
eral for Natal in London, who fought
against the Beers in former years. He
said: THE attitude of the Orange Free
State means its inevitable acquisition
by Great Britain. Peace in South
Africa can only be accomplished by
war. In my opinion a war would not
last more than two months. In order
to make pacification effective Great
Britain must assume absolute control
over the whole of South Africa.
so far as the position of Natal Is
concerned all this talk about poor un-
defended Natal is nonsense. There Will
be little or no fighting in Natal if 1t
comes to a war, and 1 fear that no
other issue is now possible. What do
you think 10000 British troops would
be doing while this much-talked-ot
Boer raid was in progress? Our rail-
ways are in good working order and
our troops can be transported quickly.
The bad weather conditions have been
magnified. A campaign could be car
ried on now just as we'll as in any other
season.
Two months from the day Sir Red
vers Butler lands the fighting will be
over. If the Free State had been loyal
fighting would not have lasted fourteen
davs. 1t is the likeliesC thing in the
world, however, that the Free state
will be foolish enough to take hostile
attitude, for that means her ADDITION
to British possessions. The Free State
would always have been a disturbing
factor in the quiet of South Africa.
Great Britain has the power to work
out ultimate peace. 1t remains TO De
seen whether she has the spirit. Upon
the conclusion of war, which must be
unfinching in order to be effective.
British control must be absolute over
ali South Africa, in Cape Colony, Natal
and other sections. Half measures
would only prolong unrest and produce
more disturbances.
II have known the Beers as well as
any man. l have lived among them
and have fought them. To exist peace
fully SO close to them is an utter i'm
possibility. Negotiations are well
enough in their way, but British con-
troll of the TranSvaal must come event
ually. For years the Beers have been
CRYING: Throw the Outlander into the
sea- and out with him Possibly
they were not so virile as during the
last war, but there is little difference.
NV idea is that If the Beers were
caught in the open once or twice the
thing would be ended. Kill five hun
dred of them, and all that would re-
main for England to do would be to
send a few shiploads of Grape. They
never stood in the open, and IL war
comes now they viii have to do more
than stay in the hills. This is not opti-
mistic, but an opinion based upon my
experience in campaigns against the
Beers. I have not the slightest fears
for the safety of my colony or it's towns.
1t is possible that few Boer incur
sions might get few miles into Natal
bered that many Of those living on the
edge of the Natal border are them
selves Beers.
A few days may witness definite
development In the crisis in the Trans
yaal. The Volksraad assembled in Sc
cret session tonight, and the burghers
doubtless had the result of the delib-
erations of the Orange Free State
Volksraad to guide them In making
decision as to the reply to Mr.. Cham
berlain's latest report, which will prob
ably be handed to the British diplo-
matte agent at Pretoria, Mr.. Conyng-
ham Greene, and be discussed by the
British Cabinet tomorrow.
The Secretary of State for War, the
Marquis of Landsdowne, was busy un-
til a late hour last evening at the war
office A telegram from Naples shows
that the British Government Is buying
mules there. as we'll as in the United
States 1t is understood that 10000 will
be purchased altogether but as 1t will
take at least a month to get them to
Africa and q similar time to get an
army corps to the front it is evident
that big operations will be impossible
until toward the end of October
1t is understood that the British note
will virtually demand the absolute full
fillment of the conventions Of 1881 and
1884, which have been violated in nu-
merous points, but will accept five
years limit for the franchise.
According to the Pretoria correspond
ent of the Daily Chronicle 1t Is believed
in the highest quarters there that a
Britain will propose moderate terms
and at the same time make it clearly
understood that these will be regarded
as final.
Other dispatches from South Africa,
however, anticipate that President
Kruger will continue obdurate and rep
resent the situation as of the gravest
character. Dispatches from Pretoria
and johannesburg speak Of the proba-
bility of hostilities within week One
correspondent says:
British subjects will be given a GER
tain period within which to quit the
country. If they desire to remain they
must make applicatfon To that effect