Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-07
CHANGE FOR WORSE
Latest Developments in Transvaal
Look More Warlike.
OMNIBUS REQUEST FROM BOERS
Ask Why British Troops Are Mass
ing on Frontier.
WAR MAY BEGIN QUICKLY

BLOEMFONTEIN, Orange Free State,
September 1T is understood that all the
Transvaal artillery has been called out and
that the burghers have been notified to be
ready. The latest reply of the Transvaal
to Great Britain is regarded marking
the disappearance of the last hope of peace.
LONDON, September TT the Trans
vaal situation has changed at all since
yesterday it is for the worse. The Boer
request for an explanation as to the mass
ing Of British troops on the frontier of the
Transvaal has an ominous note of irri-
tation and Impotence. which. at such
critical stage, can scarcely be interpreted
as anything but a defiance.
Both here and in Cape Colony the ten
sion and the arming continue. Whether
tomorrow's cabinet council will afford i'm
mediate relief is still a question .of great
doubt. The more conservative believe that
the cabinet will only put a time limit upon
the negotiations and that the interim will
merely be repetition of the anxious times
which have marked the past few weeks.
Cape Town advices say the Afrikanders
regard the latest Boer reply as evasive,
while others regard it as designed to en-
tangle the two governments in further ne
gotiations. The average opinion of the
British press is inclined to regard it as
the most long-suffering diplomatic camel.
The second edition Of the Morning Post
today contains special dispatch from Pie
rrnaritZburg, capital of Natal, saying
that an ultimatum would be forwarded to
the Beers today. This is scarcely credible,
however, as every weli-informed source
here believes that the cabinet will decide
upon the advisability of the ultimatum.
To Demand Pakemnn'S Release.
The same correspondent adds that the
Beers have received or will receive dis
patch from Sir Alfred Miner. the governor
of Cape Colony and British high commits
sioner of South Africa, demanding the re-
lease of Mr.. Pakeman, the editor of the
Transvaal Leader who was arrested Sep
TENDER 2 on the charge of high treason.
Continuing, the correspondent says 800
Beers have left Pretoria for Standerton.
and declares that the Pietermaritzburg
troops are ready to march at two hours
notice.
The London edition of the Standard and
Diggers News, the official Boer organ, to-
DAY says:
1--WE can state that the diplomatic corre-
spondence between the Transvaal and the
colonial office is of a reassuring nature, and
that the dispute has now narrowed to an
issue which should make a settlement pos
sible and even speedy. The Transvaal is
prepared for all eventualities, but remains
hopeful of a peaceful settlement"
Nothing which can be learned here tends
10 CoiilllH lHe foregoing statement, ana,
owing to the pro-Boer source from which
1t emanates, is regarded with suspicion.
The special correspondent of the Pail
Mall Gazette at Cape Town, in dispa tch
dated today, says:
War May Come Quickly.
1T is believed in Afrkander circles here
that the Transvaal intends forcing mat
tiers to a sudden issue, and that war may
possibly break out within forty-eight hours
1t is supposed that the first act on their
part will be an advance on Laings Neck
the sole route from the Transvaal to Ma
tab. 1t is also rumored there Is a plot at
Pretoria to simultaneously blow up the
British agency there
1t may be pointed out IN connection with
the foregoing dispatch that the Pail Mall
Gazette has not been conspicuous for the
accuracy or judgment of its South Afri-
can specials, and too much credence should
not be placed on the present advices.
PRETORIA, September AT the de-
sire of the Transvaal government there
has been transmitted, through COnyngham
Greene, the British diplomatic agent here,
to Sir Alfred Miner the British high COM
missioner of South Africa, an inquiry as to
regard to the mobilization of British troops
on the Transvaal frontier.
SIMLA, September Three regiments Of
cavalry and four regiments of infantry and
three batteries Of field artillery have been
formally warned to prepare to leave their
stations in India at the shortest notice for
service in South Africa.
The hospital outfits have received similar