The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-10-13
VAR NOW SEEMS CERTAIN
British Government Decides
to Peremptorily Refuse
Boer Demands.
DECLINES TO ARBlTRATE
M,ssing Of English Troops Necessi-
tates Assembling of Beers for
Defence of the Country.

Great Britain Refuses to Withdraw
Her Troops or to Cease Landing
Reinforcements = Intense Excite
ment Caused by Publication Of
the British Ultimatum.
London. Oct. 12.-The British Gov
eminent has decided to peremptorily
refuse to grant the four BOer demands
namely, for arbitration, the withdrawal
~ troops, the re-embarkation Of Brit
In endorsements already in South
4 Africa. and the unloading in England
n If troops now upon the sea bound for
South Africa
war therefore, will be raging in
South Africa within forty eight hours
nnless the Beers withdraw the de-
msnds which they have made upon the
British Government.
There is no expectation here that
These demands viii! be withdrawn, and
every preparation is being made for
the worst. The text Of the ultimatum
nf the Boer Government was received
by this Government from Sir Alfred
slilner.
The Transvaal complains that while
negotiations were proceeding between
me two countries Great Britain was
massing troops on the Hransvaai bord-
ers which was regarded as Il threat
against its independence. This mass
ing of troops necessitated the asSemb-
lng of burghers for the defence of the
country.
The note then calls upon England to
agree to arbitration or a conference
concerning all points in dispute, and
demands that British troops on the
Transvaal borders be instantly with
drawn and a third of all British rein
forcements sent to South Africa since
Dune | also be withdrawn. If the de
nand of the Transvaal is complied
with the Boer Government also agrees
to withdraw its troops.
An immediate and affirmative an
sWer is demanded of Great Britain at
once, else the Transvaal Government
will be compelled to regard the action
cf Her Majesty's Government as
formal declaration of war and will not
be responsible for the consequences"
The text Of the ultimatum was made
RUbic by the Colonial office. 1t caused
tAAmOst intense excitement. With the
enthuasm prevalent over the departure
Of the New South Wales Lancers, the
ultimatum served TO inflame all Eng
llshmen and make the war fever run
high..
The expiration of the time limit of
DE ultimatum does not leave Great
Britain much time to strengthen the
present military position, although
here are still a few troops at Durham,
Natal, available for dispatch to the
lront and the Government doubtless
Pill adopt the suggestion to form the
efugees from the Rand into volunteer
egments thus, while relieving their
istress, utilizing excellent material.
The ultimatum naturally is the alb
Crbing topic of conversation at the
pubs and in political circles, and the
aperS, containing the text of the ulti-
fatum, met with a good sale in the
fntral parts of London, the newsboys
olng a thriving trade on the closing
the theatres.
a general feeling was expressed that
Pc Beers had made 4 mistake, as their
prclng matters would tend to ALLEVIATE
e sympathy which might have been
ftended to them had they thrown the
lSna of declaring war on Great Brit
n
Or. Gavin Brown Clark. Radical
ember of the House Of Commons for
Rpthness, who has worked hard for
ace, has received a Characteristic let
OF thanks from Commandant Gen
a. Joubert, in which General Ioubert
ciares that Cecil Rhodes, DR.. Jane
and Mr.. Chamberlain as respon.
BE for the mischief.
me Beers are full of fight and are
Pdy and anxious to go into the field.