The San Francisco call., 1899-10-09

7 ONDON, Oct. S.-The important
news from South Africa comes
from Mafeking where twice on
Saturday the British camp was
- aroused, the men stood to their
arms. guns were limbered and patrols
were dispatched in the direction Of the
border. No hostilities have occurred as
vet, but the enemy has moved practically
to the border, eight miles from Mafeking,
in force estimated at least 6000, comprising
five commandos. The garrisonng and
fortffving of the town are practically
completed The streets are barrlcaded
and a perfect system of mines has been
laid. Two armored trains have arrived at
Mafeking. consisting of three bullet
proof cars, the first of which carries
searchlight, while the rest of the cars
are loopholed. Each train is complete IN
itself and carries its own provisions. Ex-
periments with lyddite in the mines prove
that it is an extremely powerful eApIo-
sive.
Colonel Robert Stephenson Smith Ba-
den-Powell commanding the Fifth ORA
COON Guards, has issued notice that the
Beers who are massed on the Natal ana
Bechuanaland frontiers have orders not
to fire until the British begin, and that
the town is well prepared for eventuali-
ties. but as the Beers may shell the place
every endeavor should be made to safe
guard the women and children.
An armored train was inspected at Kim
berly Saturday. A signal station has been
erected with a coming tower at the top
100 feet above the tracks. Communication
bv telephone is had with a central office
and signals are given to the troops by
flag BY this means maneuVers were sue
cessfuIly conducted Saturday. The troops
number 30O0 including the bicycle corps
train was also successfully tested at
Mafeking. 1t patrolled to the north and
practiced firing at targets.
A dispatch from Kimberly to the Cape
Argus says that 5000 Beers are encamped
midway between Boshof and Kimberly
They are well armed and great religious
fervor is shown in the camp. The Beers,
however are chatting under the delay.
They patrol the border nightly and have
been ordered not to permit British uni
form TO approach the frontier.
A special order gas gazetted on Satur-
day announcing what British residents
would be allowed to remain in the Trans
yaal and under what conditions.
Whatever may be the result of
Great Britain's controversy with the
South African republic, every de-
partment Of the Government to-day IS
as busy as though actual hostilities had
begun. The electric fash that announced
the mobilization of the army reserves and
the summoning of Parliament set every
wheel of the Government machinery in
motion. An hour after the gazette ap-
peared executive orders were being dis
patched from the War Office to every
section Of the kingdom, and the 10000 bull
letins which appeared posted throughout
the country to-day are said TO have been
identical with the proclamation prepared
for use had the Fashoda incident re-
quired such a STEP
At the same time Lord Salisbury and
Mr.. Balfour were issuing the necessary
orders for the reassembling of Parlia-
ment and the admiralty was concentrating
it's transports, twentyfour of which are
now at Liverpool alone. SO complete
were the preparations that q, 600 reserves
have already individually received coupon
tickets, which contain instructions where
each man shall report for railway trans
portation to the place designated and a