The Transvaal

Bruce Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3101, 22 September 1899, Page 3

The Transvaal

_ © — WAR PREPARATIONS PROCEEDING. A labor agitator in Johannesburg attempted to provoke a demonstration against British policy. He drew a revolver when the crowd dissented f'row his views. Tbe police charged and injured several. Sir Alfred Milner announced tbat it was a breach of internationil law for the Orange Free State to compel aliens to fight. A force of 1000 men is being enrolled at Kimberley to protect the town. Mr Steyn President of the Orange Free State in reply to Mr Hofmeyer asking him to use his influence to prevent war said it was too late. The press in Washington, Berlin. Rome, and Vienna consider the British proposals just and reasonable, and the IVansvaal entirely in the wrong. Germany has warned its subjects that if they fight for the Transvaal their nationality will not protect them, The London ' Standard ' declares that tbe Boers will yield if the Powers recommend acceptance of the British proposals The Indian contingent is embarking. It comprises The sth Dragoon Guards, The 9:h Lancers, The lOfch Hussars, The Ist Bullion Devonshire Regiment, The Ist Batailioc Gloucestershire Regiment, Tne *.ad Bataliion King's Royal Rifli Corps and The 2nd Batal lion of The Gordon Highlanders. Two thousand troops are proceeding to Kimberly. Transvaal spies are infrsting the border towns, and the Boers are forwarding quantities of forage to tbe Natal frontier. Thirty leadincr Kaffir stocks depreciated forty-five millions sterling since the beginning of J une * , _ •_ i. There is a great exodus of residents from Bloemfontein, The probabilty of war his bad a hardening effect on the produce market. Further considerable ordera for South Africa have been plac d. Forage is pppcially in demand, and arrangements are completed for shipping 1500 tons. There are rumors at Capetown that President Kruger haa sent Mr Greene another conciliatory despatch, It is also stated that he is angry at the Afrikander party owing to the attitude the leaders have taken in regard to Mr Chamberlains despatch, Mr Reitz, State Secretary, staaes that if Great

Britain demands dismantling the fort. I and disarmament war is inevitable, the burghers preferring to die rather than be reduced to the position of white Kaffirs. Bemarkg.ble ..precautions are being take*_t>ta| asoertain : whether the railway bridges *br-- -riils hay been tampered with. An English Cabinet meeting has been summoned for Friday. The Colonial Office is. unaware of .President Kruger's conciliatory despatch. In the event of war being declared, several members of the New Zealand Permanent Artillery will volunteer for service in South Africa.