The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-10-13

m~inistration.
London, October 9Th vastness OF
Great Brftain's military preparation
seemingly out Of all proportion to the
work In hand in South Afr1ca-Was non
fully realize by the public I the war
office announced that $1,000 reserves
had already been summoned to rejoin
their commands.
AS a matter OF fact, General SEr
Redvers Butler will have command of
twice as many British soldiers as the
Duke of Wellington, h conquer or the
first. Napoleon, ever saw collected on one
battlefield. The reasons back of tins
lavish display are probably a fear Of
a native rising and, possibly, a convic-
tion Of the advfsibility of showing
Europe that Great Britain is prepared
to resent any action resulting from the
prevalent continental nl-will-
Tn this connections, the action of the
American department OF state ana Une
friendly statements of President NC
Kinley and Secretary OF State hay
published here are heartily welcomed
as a happpy return for Great Britain's
REFUSAL to sanction ~Ontinenta inter
vention in THE war between tine united
States and Spain
THE BOERS' FORCES WEAKENING
As the Beers Failed to attack Malta
when the colony was Vulnerable, 1t is
beginning to be felt that they are pur-
suing deliberate policy of waiting for
the British proposals., remaining, IN tne
meantime on the defensive, n the nope
of thus winning the sympatnies OF the
world and perhaps the support or the
other nations and leaving to Great BRIT
ain THE ignominy OF startling hostilDtles.
If they await the dvance of General
EirRedyers Butler, it is conceivable that
peace will not be broken during the pres
emit year. Should that prove THE case
and should the alleged WaStage in the
Boer commanders continue the force
confronting the British commanding
general win be neither ais numerous
nor as efficient as that now encamped
along the Natal border. Events have
thus seemed to shape themselves to Sc
cure ample pause for consideration
All the proposals in the correspond
ence between President Steyen, of the
Orange Free State, and Sir Alfred
Milner, British high commissioner III
South Africa, show THAT the negotia-
ltions were proceeding UP to October
9th and hiatt neither ~dispaired of peace.
Sir Alfred Milner saying he was sure
amy reasonable proposal would be IA
yorably considered by the British gov
eminent. President Steyen's virtual
proposal of a neutIal zone, to be creaJt-
ed pending further attempts at concil-
iatfon, meets with considerable ap-
prevail.
BRITISH POLITICS.
"A rumor f5 current that political in
terest in the situation may shortly in
c~reases, as it IS alleged that the mama
gers of the UrioniSt parity i'm Great
Britain are strongly urging the gov
nme dissolve parliament after the
necessary credit is voted and to go TO
the electorate in a parliamentary gen.
eral election upon the broad issue of
the gOvernm ert's policy in South Aft
RIGA.
The real Intentions of the premier,
the MARQUIS off Salisbury, may he ex-
pected to develop shortly. As at present
arranged, the work of the session,
which will begin October nth, will con-
Sist of the queens speech, dealing ex-
clusively With>the South African queS-
'tion, the voting of the credit and the
passage of ar appropriation bill.
This will occupy three weeks.
The legislative plans of the govern
ment will not be disclosed until parlia-
ment meets again in February, and no
private bills will be allowed to be in
PRODUCED.
Owing to the drain ON the military
resources, all colonial reliefs have been
stopped for a year.
ANARCHY THREATENED.
According ito the latest advices from
Johannesburg, the natives, who seem
to be reinforced by the lawless ele-
ment, are getting out of hand and
anarchy is threatened.
From the continent comes an uncon-
firmed report hat preparations are be-
ing made for an organized attack upon
the mines by the natives and the de-
struction of the plants.
A report is in circulation here of an
organization of a corps of volunteers |
ito aid the burghers, but it lacks con- |
firmation.
The Berlin correspondent of the STAN !
dard says: Information has been re-
ceived in diplomatic quarters here that
Lord Salisbury, ait the last moment, |
hesitates to enter upon a war with the
Transvaal. A peaceful solution is not
therefore altogether impossible, al
though it is implorable.
The complete dearth of news since
AFTERNOON from the Cape, on which all
attention is rivited, is poorly compen-
stated for by the mass of minor details
published concerning the preparations
4OA lale uISpdlcl OI Jle army corps and |
speculation as to the length and char
acter of the debates when parlia - ant |
meets.
The latest dispatch from Lourenzo
Marwuez, relating to the chasing of |
the steamer Guelph by the cruiser
Philomel, caused some stir, especially
as it was that the Gueluh
had landed ait Durham IA cases of am
for the Beers. There is a