New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-07
To HEAD OFF KRUGER.
PORTUGAL SENDING A MILITARY EX-
petition TO SOUTH AFRICA
Copyright; 1900: BY The New-Yo-k Tribunal
IBE CABLE TO THE THrBUNE.l

Copyright 1905 BY The New-YO-k Tribunal
IBE CABLE TO THE rHIBUxE.I
London. Sept. z O. m.-The news telegraphed
from Lisbon yesterday that a military expedition
a thousand strong Is about TO leave the Tagus
for Lourenco Marques has caused much specu-
lation to the Portuguese intentions in South
Africa. For some time past It has been limited
that important developments in Portuguese pol
icy might shortly be expected. and many people
believe that there is a secret agreement between
Great Britain and Portugal which viii enable
the former Power TO exercise a long cherished
right OF presumption of Delagoa Bay. Others
connect the Portuguese reinforcements with an
intention to refuse to Boer fugitives an asylum
in Mozambique and the determination of the
Lisbon Government no longer to permit the
Dutch forces to draw supplies from Delagoa
Bay. AS long as the Transvaai was an inde-
pendent State Portugal had right to prevent
goods other than contraband Of war reaching
the frontier nor could she prevent unarned
burghers from entering the territory; but II
Portugal recognizes the British annexation OF
the Transvaal as valid she will be entitled TO
treat the Beers as rebels against a friendly
State, and could refuse to grant Kruger or
other leaders or escaped Boer combatants per
mission 70 seek refuge within the dominions OF
King Carlos
The English Government is extremely anxious
that the ex-President should not slip through
their fingers. and Portugal would certainly be
doing the British very good turn If she de-
MED the old man asylum and so compelled him
to surrender to Lord Roberts. II is still more
important that supplies from Mozambique
should be cut of from the various guerilla
bands, which are quite likely to remain in the
field even after the final collapse Of Botha's
army.
There are many signs that the military au-
thorittes regard the end Of the war as close at
hand Lord Roberts is making preparations TO
return TO England. and has already sent four OF
his chargers down to Cape Town The general
belief is that General Roberts is coming home
to take Up the post Of Commander-in-Chief OF
the British army, which Lord Wolseley will
Vacate in October. Another indication Of the
same kind is that the personnel OF the army
transport In the Orange River Colony has been
paid of and disbanded, and the Imperial Yeo-
many and scouts employed in that country
have arrived at Cape Town. also with the object
Of receiving their final pay prior TO embarka-
ton. 1t is hoped the war may be declared Of
fcialIy over before the general election. which
is almost certain to be in October.
The greater portion Of Lord Roberts's army
will have TO remain in South Africa, probably
under the supreme command Of Sir Redvers
Butler. several months longer, but they will be
considered as engaged in police operations
an extensive scale rather than as occupied in a
regular campaign.
There is no truth in the statement that Sir
Charles Warren has been appointed to succeed
Lord William Seymour in command Of the Brit
ish troops in Canada, and nothing whatever is
known Of any such appointment either by the
officials in Pail Mall or by General Warren
himself