THE TRANSVAAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11524, 9 September 1899, Page 5

THE TRANSVAAL.

WM INEVITABLE.

Am ULTIMATUM THE SIGNAL - .FOR MARTIAL LAW. ,*>

THE ;BOERS ASK FOR AN

EXPLANATION.

SIR A. MILNER'S SARCASTIC

REPLY.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright :;.' ■ • : ' CAPETOWN, September 7. - The Ministerial newspaper organs' at Capetown-repudiate sympathy with Great Britain, and'demand the abandonment of her suzerainty over the TransvaaL :•'■'■ ' ' "' September .8. • .(Received-Sept. 8, at 10.40 p.m.) The authorities at Pretoria- asked Sir Alfred Milner whether the mobilisation on the frontier was explainable. . ' ; PRETORIA, September- 7. The Transvaal Government have cabled to the New York World that British agitators, are attempting the destruction of the Republic, in order to capture the Transeaal mines. "; • •

■.'■••■■•■' September 8, (Received' Sept. 9, at 1.5 a.m.)

Commandant Viljoen declares that the ■Ultimatum hj England will be the signal for-martial law." ■

Mr Reitz, interviewed, explained that the .Transvaal accepts a conference, but not a joint, inquiry. .

The reply is viewed with impatience and anger at the. Cape, and is described as designedly entangling and tortuous.

The-Colster debate in the Volksraad was resumed. ~. -

JUr Reitz read-Sir Alfred Milner's sarcastic reply that the position and number of troojis on the , frontier were no secret. It was well known they were there to protect British interests, and provide for emergencies. Insulting and minatory speeches followed. ■ Eight hundred Boers with six quickarjng guns have arrived at Valksrust.

"PREPARATIONS IN ENGLAND. . LONDON, September 7.

Two battalions of. the Rifle Brigade have been ordered to hold themselves in readiness for tbo Cape.

■'.; (Received Sept. 8, at 10.55 p.m.) The Queen and the Premier have latterly ixchanged despatches.

(Received Sept. 9, at 1.5 a.m.)

The first three army corps contribute eight brigades, yhich are now 'in readiness.

General Sir Redvers Buller takes the chief command. • .

Ten thousand troops in India are ready

to start.

Half a million sovereigns will he despatched to the Cape to-morrow.

The chief subjects for discussion at today's Cabinet are: Supremacy, and the expediency of summoning Parliament with the view. ,of granting supplies... '. / .

THE OKAKGE FEEE STATE PEEP A RING:.

BLOEMFONTEIN, September 8. The Orange Free State, the Transvaal reply as destructive, of, peace prospects, has summoned the artillery reserves, and warned the burghers to be .n readiness. One thousand rifles have been distributed here. '. '"..-•■

, The St. James Gazette recently published what was seriously stated to be General Joubert's plan of campaign, approved of by President Kruger. The general's plans were jHle^ed to be as follows:—lmmediately on the declaration of war, a, strong Boer force would enter the Orange Free State, and, making use of the railway as far as it served, would march on Kimberley. In order that their movements shall be in no way hampered; the Transvaal troops have already 'seized _the drifts, or fordt, across the Vaal River into the Free State. The railway is also under their, control. Kimberley they expect to .capture without much loss. The town is .close to the Free State frontier, and is undefended except by the Diamond Fields (horse and foot) Volunteers, under the command .of Colonel "Harris. On the capture of Kimber : ley, it is the intention of the Boers -to blow up the De Beers diamond mines? „■ ;." At the same time as the Sudden raid 'is made upon Kimberley the Cape to Bulawayo railway is to be destroyed a.t various 7 points by Boer sympathisers and ■ agents ,in Cape Colony, and by burghers of the Orange Free State. The railway for a considerable distance passes close to' the Free State''border, and its' destruction is so confidently counted upon that if General Joubert thought there was any chance of its not being carried olit, the whole plan of campaign would have to be altered. ■'■ The object of the destruction of the line would be, of course, to. prevent it being used by the British for the despatchTbf troops to the aid of Kimberley or to nieet the advancing Boer force. For the same reason the Port- Elizabeth-Pretoria line would probably be torn up south of Bloemforitein. Kimberley captured, its mines blown up and the railway destroyed, the Boer force would advance-south on Capetown, talking its route through the western provinces, where the population is overwhelmingly Dutch, and from amongst whom Joubert expects'to receive many recruits. General Joubert's calculation is that he would; be master of Capetown 14- days after the declaration of war.The British force would, he believes, be unable to stop his advance. To guard against an attack in rear from Bechuanalanda, large force will be posted along the western': fron-tier-of-the Transvaal, and steps will also be taken to ; guard the northern .frontier from violation by British troops from Mashonalahd. ....'••.. ■"• ..■■ •"- : .-"•,:.■. ... .

: While the main Boer army, is marching, on Capstovm, a strong force of artillery and foot will be posted at Volksrust, on the Transvaal side of the pass through the Drakensberg jiange leading to the Transvaal. The most determined opposition will be offered to any attempt of the British to enter, the Transvaal, but on the Natal.frontier.it is the'intention of the Boers to act strictly on-'the defensive. They believe themselves sufficiently strong'to protect their country from invasion Natal, and at the same time,1-.with the,aid»of the Free State and the disaffected Dutch colonists, to march through Capo Colony and meet and beat the British garrisons stationed therein. With Capetown in .their possession, 'they,'expect-'to be able to. dictate.'terms; of peace. ■ .. ■ '.: . .' ;:■ •'-:.:■ - : ? ■•. For the protection of their capital (Pretoria) the Boers trust —should the passes, into the Transvaal be forced—to the recently erected forts at Johannesburg.. These forts, would also serve to overawe the TJitlanders, for they are placed in • such', a position 'that the guns they mount could as easily blow the town, to pieces as did the Austrian, cannon at Budawhen directed against Pesth..: : ■. : - ■'■'■; - ;