Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-10-05
ABILENE WEEKLY REFLECTOR ABILENE KANSAS OCTOBER Sss7wE PAGES

chased altogether, but as it will take
at least month to get them to Africa
and a similar time to get an army
corps to the front, it is evident that big
operations will be impossible until to-
ward the end Of October.
1t is understood that the British note
will virtually demand the absolute full
fllment of the conventions OF 1851 and
1854 which have been violated in nu-
merous points, but will accept a five
years limit for the franchise.
According to the Pretoria correspond
cnt of the Daily Chronicle, it is be-
leved in the highest quarters there
that settlement is even yet possible il
Great 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 represent the situation
as Of the gravest character.
Dispatches from Pretoria and johann
nesburg speak Of the probability Of
hostilities within a week. One corre-
spondent says: British subjects will
be given certain period within which
to quit the country. II they desire to
remain they must make application to
that effect, and the application will be
considered on its merits"
Another correspondent says: -Four
thousand rifles and quantity of am
munition have just arrived at johann
nesburg and are being distributed by
the field comets. The burghers of
Pretoria. 1000 in number, are equipped
and awaiting the order to advance"
The Cape Town correspondent OF the
Daily News says: 1.-THE pass Of Laing's
Mex will be occupied to-day with suffi'
cient strength for present needs, under
the belief that the Beers will attack
Natal Immediately, hoping to forestall
the landing Of the Indian contingent. :"
THE ORANGE FREE STATE ATTITUDE.
Bloemfontein, Sept. 2S.-The volks-
raad OF the Orange Free State has
unanimously resolved to instruct the
government to use every means to in
sure peace without violating the honor
or independence of the Free State or
the Transvaal. In further resolution
the volksraad declared its opinion that
war would be criminal, but asserted
that come what might, the Free State
would faithfully fulfill it's obligations
to the Transvaal in virtue of the exist
sa!itical alliance.
London, Oct. 3.-The rumor that
fighting had already commenced seems
to have originated at the Woolwich
arsenal. Matters are at standstill
and practically no dispatches from
South Africa have been received this
morning No confirmation is obtaina-
BILE from any source of the report con-
tanned in a dispatch to the Exchange
Telegraph company that the Beers
have captured Dundee.
A letter from an outlander received
in Birmingham was published yester-
day. If it reflects the general feeling
of the British residents in Johannes
burg, they must be in an awful funk.
The writer says: "If it comes to a
fight, | believe the Beers will make a
massacre of it, blow Johannesburg to
bits and shoot us on sight. In fact, |
have been told so by one in office"
Reports from various arsenals and
garrisons in Great Britain testify to
the active continuance of military pre-
parations. The reserves have received
preliminary notice to be prepared, and
several regiments have been notified
to hold themselves in readiness for
active service.
SOME FIGHTING is EXPECTED SOON.
London, Oct. "a special dispatch
from Pretoria says that Gen. Jan kock
will command the Boer forces on the
Natal border, Commandant Cronje on
the southwestern and Gen. Schalk-
burger on the eastern frontier, while
Gen. Malan will be in command at
Rustenburg. Altogether there will be
nine generals in command of the
columns. A complete plan of cam
paign has been arranged with the
Orange Free State. A rigorous CEN
sorship is maintained over all press
kilograms.
President Kruger addressed the
troops which started for the Natal
border on Saturday, appealing to their
patriotism and wishing them Godspeed.
Fighting is expected by Wednesday.