THE TRANSVAAL NECESSITY FOR A LARGE BRITISH FORCE. LETTER FROM A RESIDENT. NOTES FROM A KIMBERLEY RESIDENT. THE POSITION OF JOHANNESBURG IF WAR BREAK OUT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2379, 5 October 1899, Page 24

THE TRANSVAAL

NECESSITY FOR A LARGE BRITISH FORCE.

LETTER FROM A RESIDENT.

NOTES FROM A KIMBERLEY RESIDENT.

THE POSITION OF JOHANNESBURG

IF WAR BREAK OUT.

THE STRENGTH OP THE BOERS. MR MICHAEL DAVITT'S VIEWS. X BRITISH COLUMN FIRED AT. A. GREAT DUTCH KRUGER'S PRAYERS, 1 . BRITAIN CANNOT AND WILL NOT YIELD. WAR PREPARATIONS PROCEED--ING. DESPATCHES FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. .BASIS FOR A FINAL SETTLEMENT. THE TERMS NOT KNOWN. '. NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER APPRECIATED. THE FREE STATE RECRUITING IN T GBIQUALAND. COMMANDEERING ENGLISHMEN. PATRIOT] C OUTBURST.

LONDON, September 26. Attorney-general Smutz has cabled to the Transvaal Committee of the Liberal Forwards in England declaring that the Transvaal adheres to the Convention of 1884, which does not allow of any interference by Great Britain with the internal affairs of the Transvaal. Mr Michael Davitt, in the course of a speech, said that every Nationalist earnestly desired God to strengthen every Boer shouldering a rifle to defend his country's independence. September 27. Three batteries of artillery have sailed from Birkenhead for South Africa. Forty thousand witnessed the embarkation, cheering enthusiastically .- Sir M. White Ridley, ppeaking at Blackpool, said though the Government were conciliatory and tiatienl, they would not turn back. The Times slates that Sir Alfred Milner has submitted to the Cabinet drastic proposals for dealing with the whole difficulty, and including a memorandum prepared by Mr J. G. Kotze, late Chief Justice of the Transvaal, recounting his interview with Kruger in 1895, when the President threatened him with suspension from "the bench unless the judges upheld the resolutions of the Volksraad. The Daily Telegraph states that Joubert reckons on 18,0C0 troops from the Transvaal, 16,000 from the Orange Free State, 8000 Boers from Capetown, 2000 from Natal, and 6000 Hollanders and German volunteers. Great Britain's preparations up to the present have cost a million sterling. Lord Salisbury has assured the Netherlands Government that the integrity and independence of the Transvaal and the Orange Free ;State shall be guaranteed if Great Britain's iadvice, which is in the interests of all races, is accepted. The JBoers are looting the Bechuanaland border and molesting the Chinese and blacks jn Johannesburg, thus hoping to force .Great Britain's hand. September 28. The steamer Sumatra conveys a battalion of the Border Regiment from Malta to the Cape.

Great Britain is purchasing 20,000 mules in America and Italy for service in the Transvaal. The Daily Telegraph states that the proofs are accumulating at the Cape of the existence of a great Dutch conspiracy against British supremacy in South Africa, and that the Orange Free State is involved. Twenty-five companies of the Army Service Corps leave England for South Africa next week. This is taken to ' indicate the early despatch of a complete army corps. The London Daily Chronicle states that President Kruger has written to a friend at Capetown saying that he had been for three hours in prayer and felt perfectly happy. The Lord had told him to fight. September 29. Fifty thousand Mausers, half a million cartridges, and several heavy mortars leave Holland for the Transvaal immediately. Rains have commenced in the Transvaal. Scarcity of water delayed the Boers initiating an attack. It is feared there will be great difficulty provisioning Johannesburg. *'i'he Chronicle saj's that Kruger's efforts to approach Lord Salisbury direct were foiled. Mr Balfour, in a speech at Dundee, said the Government had loyally and with longsuffering patience striven to obtain a peaceful and honourable solution. Apparently the Beers refused to yield. Great Britain cannot, and will not, do so. The interests of South Africa, civilisation, and national honour made retreat impossible. Mr Ritchie, speaking in London, said that if war occurred President Kruger would be responsible. The Times advocates that the British demands on the Transvaal should be on the lines of the scheme outlined by the Outlanders' Council in July. The paper also hints at the disarmament of Johannesburg. President Kruger has replied to Mr Chamberlain's interim despatch of Friday. He states that the Transvaal strictly adheres to the Convention of 1884, and that he will ask for nothing more. The British Cabinet are sitting, and will, it is affirmed, prepare an ultimatum. It is believed that the Boers will not wait for the receipt of the ultimatum. The English, newspapers generally pay wibule to New Zealand's offer to send troops for service in the Transvaal. The Daily Chronicle, however, asks : — What has New Zealand to do with the Transvaal? and informs the colony that the Empire is not menaced. The tiibute paid by the English papers to New Zealand" also refers to the offers of troops made by the other dependencies of the Empire. September 30. At the Cabinet meeting it was announced that no official reply had been received from the Transvaal, excepting an unofficial outline. The Cabinet thereupon adopted despatches formulating a basis for a final settlement. These will not be communicated to the public for a few days in order to afford President Kruger an opportunity of reverting to the proposals of August 19. It was decided to send an immediate reply to yesterday's despatch. An army corps is to be immediately sent to South Africa, and the first class reserves have been summoned. The city views the outlook gloomily, and war is regarded as inevitable. Consols are quoted at 103g. The fall is mainly due to the large gold withdrawals for South Africa., The peace manifesto has been signed by [-150 leading men, including §ir W. V. Harcourt, Messrs Morley, Edward Clark, Stead, Cl acning (master of Baliol), Doctor Parker, and several Liberal members of the Bouse of Commons, who urge arbitration. The Law Journal, referring to the legal position of the Boers, says the Transvaal is a dependent State. The Convention of 1884 gives England control of foreign relations while internal liberty is not complete. President Kruger told a Times interviewer that peace was impossible, unless Great Britain did something. The British massing of troops on the frontier meant j forcing war. October 1. " General Sir Redvers Buller starts on the 14th for South Africa. . The steamer Kinfans Castle has started from Southampton with 300 officers and men of the army service ordnance, and a corps of balloonirts. A great patriotic outburst occurred at a concert given in the Queen's Hall, London, at which theie was an audience of 2000 people. Everyone present rose and sang "Rule Britannia" and "God Save thb Queen," followed with deafening cheers for Mr Chamberlain. Sir John F. Leese, Liberal member of the House 'of Commons for the Accrington Division, North-east Lancashire, in a letter to his constituents, warmly supports Great Britain's action in the Transvaal, on the grounds of humanity, international law, and parainounley.

Speaking at New Mills, Derbyshire, the Duke of Devonshire said that President Kruger's groundless suspicions were the main obstacle to peace and the good government of the Transvaal. Great Britain was now compelled to formulate her requirements, which in reality were of a moderate character. These might be the basis of further negotiations ; that is, if the spirit manifested in the rejection of much simpler suggestions could be said to justify any hope. PRETORIA, September 27. The burghers are clamouring for Joubert's resignation unless he a-cts. Many Boers doubt the security of the Mauser rifles, and assert that the cartridges are worthless. The Standard and Diggers' News, Johannesburg, says that President Kruger is more determined than ever to resist the British demands,' and that the authorities at Pretoria are not desirous of another chance of settling the points at issue. September 28. Mr Chamberlain's despatch has intensified the spirit of the Boers. It is expected President Kruger will demand the stoppage of reinforcements, pending the receipt^ of the final British proposals. A run has begun on the Pretoria banks. September 29. Two batteries of the Staats artillery and 1000 Pretoria burghers have gone to Volksrust, on the Natal border, close to Laing's Nek. Two thousand burghers are assembling u( Wakkerstrom, 40 miles to the north-east of Volksrust, and there is another force of 1200 at Sanspruit, further south, on the Natal border. In the Orange Free State there is a large force of Transvaal and Orange Free Slate burghers, with four Maxim guns, I concentrating near Harismith, ou the Orange Free State border, close to the border of Natal. September 30. Several thousand Boers, with artillery, have occupied VolkWust, Wakkerstrom, Rustenbury, Utrecht, Vryheid, Standerton, and Sanspruit. October 1. The Transvaal Government have notified that they will confiscate property in the event of treason. The Boers of the Free State have been warned that their property will be confiscated, and that they will be punished for evadence of commandeering. General Joubert, with 1800 artillerymen, is at Volksrust. The Volksniad has resolved that Uitlanders helping the Transvaal will be enfranchised after the war is over. The Boers mobilised at Utrecht, near the border of Natal, are cutting a route through the bank to the railway bridge, on the Buffalo River. Seven hundred Pretoria Germans are encamped at Randingist and 300 at Volksrust. October 2. The owners of the mines in Johannesburg pay the miners remaining in charge *£3 per day, exclusive of food allowances. CAPETOWN, September 26. Mr J. Rose Innes, ex- Attorney-general, and other members of the Cape Afrikander party, have urged President Kruger to yield, as Mr Chamberlain now guarantees the independence of the Transvaal against any attack. They point out that the word suzerainty was not used in the British despatch. Endeavours are being made to induce the Boers to renew the offers of a five years' franchise and increased representation to tho goldfields. September 27. The secret deliberations of the Orange and Transvaal Raads continue. Complete unanimity is undoubted. The general impression in Pretoria and Capetown is that war is inevitable. September 28. The Boers are trying to purchase large supplies of wheat and tinned meats in Capetown. Mr Steyn, President of the Orange Free State, has sent his family to Capetown. October 2. The Loyalists are indignant at the persistent apathy of Mr Schreiner, the Premier. BLOEMFONTEIN, September 28. The Orange Free State Raad unanimously instructed the Government to try to ensure peace without violating the honour and independence of the Republic. They promised to faithfully fulfil treaty obligations to the Transvaal. October 2. The Free State authorities are recruiting in Griqualand West, and impounding cattle destined for the Cape. They aie also coercing the Britishers employed on the railways, and commandeering Englishmen at Rouxville. DURBAN, September 28. The Cape boys acting as muleteers at Ladysmith have mutined, and refuse to go to the front, i Two shots were fired at a British column

marching to Dundee, but those committing the act were not discovered. The first Indian troops are expected here on Tuesday next, and 5000 men are looked for within a fortnight. If the British troops at Glencoe are reinforced the Boer force at Vryheid threaten to cross the Buffalo River and seize the railway running from Durban to Laing's Nek, thus isolating the British troops at Dundee and Ladysmith. September 30. The Natal field artillery, mounted rifles, and Durban light infrantry have been ordered to Ladysmith. The Governor of Natal has exhorted all persons to abstain from treason, and points out that offenders are liable to be punished with death. ' British troops occupy Glencoe, Dundee, Newcastle, Ladysmith, and Dannbauser. October 1. The artillery which has been sent from Ladysmith to Dundee has been suddenly ordered to Newcastle, near the border of Natal and the Orange Free State. PARIS, September 27. Le Temps and Les Debats advise the Boers to attack before the British are ready. MELBOURNE, September 27. A movement has been inaugurated in the Stock Exchange for raising the sum of .820,000 to insure the lives of the Victorian volunteers who may go to the Transvaal. Five thousand pounds have already been provided. A conference of the commandants will 1)8 hold on Friday. The Minister for Defence considers that the colonial Government should find the cost of transport of the men, otlwwi&e theirs would be a poor gift. The steamer Australasian took ]70,GJ0 sovereigns, 2500 bales compressed fodder, and a large quantity of provisions for 'Le Cape. Four other steamers are filling up. September 28. The Minister for Defence intimates that the Victorian share of the cost of the Transvaal contingent would be from £50,000 to £60,000. September 29: Eleven hundred and fifty-three members of the defence forces have volunteered for the Transvaal. The Government are much concerned at the non-acceptance of their offer to send troops. Up to the present the offer • has been made through the New South Wales Premier, with a view to assist the federal cause, the stipulation being made that the Imperial Government pay all the expenses. It is urged that the offer should be repeated direct to the Home Government on behalf of Victoria, and that 'the colony pay all expenses. A meeting of the Cabinet is called for Monday to discuss the decisions arrived at by the Commandants' Conference, and finally deal with the Victorian contingent. The commandant states that the contingent could not be put into the field under nine weeks after the order is given to organise. The Church of England Synod, amid much warlike enthusiasm, approved that every facility be given to tho chaplains proceeding to the Transvaal to carry out their duty to their God, their Queen, and their country. Parliament will be asked on Tuesday to vote £50,000 to equip the troops intended for service in the Transvaal. September 30. At the Conference of Military Commandants all the colonies were represented. Lord Brassey, in his speech, hoped that the outcome would be a United Australian contingent, which would give proof to the world that the mother and her children were standing shoulder to shoulder in vindication of their common rights, and as an indication of the loyalty of the colonies. The Minister for Defence spoke in a similar strain. The Victorian commandant pre- j sided. I The questions discussed by the confer- j ence were the proposed numerical strength, arming, and j)ay of the contingent. The decisions reached will not be known until the close of the conference. Octobei 2. The produce shipments for the Cape continue on a very heavy s-cale. Arrangements are also being made for a considerable trial shipment of cattle and sheep. SYDNEY, September 29. Two thousand bags of New Zealand oats were sold at Is 9£d, f.0.b. , for the Cape. September 30. The Government have instructed the Agent-general to. inform the War Office that New South Wales is prepared to forward a large quantity of produce and j fodder to South Africa, and have it landed in three weeks from the date of s-hipment. October 1. The Sunday Times cabled to President Kruger asking whether he had any message for the Australian people. President Kruger replied :— " To the people of Aus- '' tralia: The Government of the South African Republic asks no more than to be permitted to act in accordance -with the '

London Convention, which excludes foV i reign interference in internal affairs, and to save our independence." ALBANY, September 27. Three Imperial officers are passengers byj the Himalaya, en route for Melbourne to purchase horses. BRISBANE, September 28. In the Legislative Assembly the Premier stated that tfie Government intended to obtain the sanction of Parliament before? sending troops to the Transvaal. He wag unable to say whether the expenses would be borne by the colony until a reply had 'been received from ths Imperial authori-. ties. September 29. Apart from the Mounted Infantry, there are numerous volunteers for the Transvaal. A well-known officer has offered to raise a hundred crack shots and forgo his rank during his absence from the colony. A NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT. (From Otjp. Own- Coins esfoxdext.) WELLINGTON. September H7. Mr Guinness is urging the Government? to give the members of the Jubilee contingent who volunteered for service in the Transvaal preference of selection if a New, Zealand contingent is sent. I learn from a leading member of the Ministerial parly that the Premier has re- ; ceived a cablegram from the Agent-general,-warning him to be. on the look out in .re- \ gard to matters financial in view of pro-, bable war in the Transvaal. WAR AND 1 TRADE. LARGE ORDER FROM THE IMPERIAL' AUTHORITIES. OUTLET FOR OVR PRODUCE. September 29. Mr Massey aaked the Premier in the House this afternoon if he had heard of any orders being received from the Imperial authorities for New Zealand produce for the Transvaal. j fhe Premier said there had been, so he imderi stood, an arrangement made in this colony, 1 on behalf of the [mperia! authorities. Air | Massey: "Have you received an order?" 1 The Premier: "1 have not received art | order." Mr G. Hutchison said if the Premier ' hud any information he should make it public. It would be very cheering to the farmers to know. Tlio Premier said if he Rave the fullest information he might put up the-prices, but he would say an order had been placed in the colony. A Member : " A lnrere order?" The Premier: "Yed, a large order." Mr Eraser: "From the Imperial, authorities?" The Premier: "' Yes."— (Hear, hear.) The Government had been asked to allow their officers to inspect the produce before il left the colony. The order was for 2800' tons of oats. Mr Eraser thought all . the peoplej should know about it, so that the farmers, ; and not morel? the speculators, should have i the advantage. Mr I.iassey expressed pleasure • at the good news. He would like to knoW 1 whether orders had been placed for fodder as well as oatj. -Mr Meredith wanted to know, if any order.-, had bean received for provisions — potted mejts'aud brradsluffs. It was a good thing tlio order had reached the colony, and I he hoped more vould follow. He would like , to know whether the order had been sent through tho Government or the merchants. How-did the Premier come into possession of the information? The Premier said the whole ' position was very simple. The Imperial au-, thorities knew their business, and did not want to let tha people know they were ! buyers until everything ivai complete. We j must give them credit for minding their own I business. We bad t!ie best supply of oats ! and fodder. — (Hear, hear.) A large order had also been placed in Victoria, which would be supplied largely from New Zealand. The Government had pointed- out to the British authorities that we were producers, and the Home Government had asked the Premier for tho assistance of the Now Zealand tlepartj ments. Wo would, of course, do that. The ', information was very satisfactory. The stea-' mer Rangatira had been filled, and had to refuse a lot of cargo. There was sufficient produce left to load another vessel. He was arranging for a steamer to take the contingent, and if tlio offer was accepted the Govornmont would advertise and distribute the opportunities of sending produce by the vessel equally over the colony. Information of a very encouraging character had been received from South Africa. Flour, wheat, and tinned j meat were especially required. Mr Meredith I asked if there was a good market for polai toes? The Premier replied that the informa-. I tion was not encouraging as regards potatoes at this time of the year. OFFERS OF HORSES. The offer of New Zealand troops for South Africa has stirred up such enthusiasm that a number of prominent members of the Opposition have notified that they are prepared to provide horses for the contingent. Jf the j offer of troops i'j accepted by the British GoI vornmenl. tho prol.able captains will be ' Major Robin {of Dunedin) and Captain Davis I (of the Hawera Mounted Rifles). Major Robin, it will be remembered, went Homo with the Jubilee contingent. The arrangeI ment of details will be largely in the hands of Colonel Penton and Sir Arthur Douglasand the contingent is expected to be ready for ! embarkation in three weeks' time. ! CONGRATULATIONS. The Premier lias received a large number of telegrams from various parts of the colony, expressing pleasure at the enthusiastic manner in which the offer of troops has been sanctioned by Parliament. " ■ THE NEW ZEALAND- CONTINGENT.. ARRANGING DETAILS. October 2. When the House met this evening messages were read from his Excellency the Governor regarding the cablegrams to and from the Secretary of State for the Colonies offering and accepting a contingent ofi mounted rifles for service in the Transvaal. On the motion of the Premier the messages were entered on the Journals of the House. At an enthusiastic meeting of the Heretaunga (Wellington) Mounted Rifle Corps the corps unanimously acceded to Colonel Penton's request to hand over to the Government for issue to the contingent the saddlery just imported from England.; The meeting was of a most enthusiastic nature, and concluded its proceedings bj; sineinjj the National Anthem.

Cplcnel Penton has placed an order with U Wellington firm for 220 hats for the contingent. They will be serviceable brown ihats, without ornamentation such as adorned those worn by the Jubilee contingent. ' It is probable that arrangements will be made to establish a training camp at Mira■mar in the event of word being received from the Imperial authorities that a New Zealand contingent is to go to the TransTraal. Major Robin had a long conference to--day with Colonel Penton. Mr Albert Loclde, formerly of Wellington, who is one of the Australasians on the ■Council of Outlanders, in a letter published in the Post writes: "Most likely by the time you receive this letter the TransvAal will be at war with England. If war is declared I suppose the Boers will bombard Johannesburg from -ths fort, in which case we will all probably be killed. Well, I am certainlr not going to mn away, but ■will remain if possible and see the thing through. My own opinion is that the only one thing to settle the continuous and general feeling of unrest in this country is -war. Then we will see who is the better man, but as it is, it is totally contrary to British traditions for Britishers to be treated like Kaffirs and to be made the subject race." AUCKLAND, October 2. "Although the official returns of the Axickland volunteers for active service in the Transvaal have not yet been completed, the offers received by Colonel Banks are said to be greatly in excess of requirements, while applications for enrolment continue to come in fr,om all parts of the province. Mounted corps have freely responded, and a quota, it is understood, could be got from them alone, while the infantry companies both in the town and country have offered many good marksmen and capable riders. Even ex-volunteers are endeavouring to find inclusion in the contingent. The excess of the number required will necessitate a selection. CHRISTCHURCF, October 2. Twelve members of the Canterbury * Mounted Rifles have volunteered for service at the Transvaal. INVERCARGILL, October 2. More than the number required from the Southland Mounted Rifles have volunteered for active service in the Transvaal, and applications to be enrolled are still being received by the captain commanding the •district. THE NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT. AUCKLAND, September 29. The names of 20 volunteers Uiave been handed to Colonel Banks offering for service in South Africa, and the returns from three country mounted corps have yet to come in, while members of other branches of the. service are endeavouring to obtain transfers to the mounted corps, with a view to their inclusion. September 30. Lieutenant Banks and a number of men of the Auckland Mounted Rifles have volunteered for South Africa. Lieutenant Walker, of the Waikato Mounted Rifles, is communicating with Colonel Banks. A number of volunteers are expected from the corps. VOLUNTEERS FROM OTAGO. A telegram was received yesterday from the Commander of the New Zealand Forces -asking if Otago could supply two officers, 50 men, and a bugler (mounted corps) for service in the Transvaal. Major Robin, in the absence of Colonel Webb, replied in the affirmative. Particulars concerning the pay, etc., will be found at the conclusion of our own correspondent's account of the proceedings in Parliament yesterday. THE NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT. THE OFFER APPRECIATED. WELLINGTON, September 30. The Governor this morning received a reply from the Secretary of State for the Colonies "intimating that the British Government highly appreciated the offer of the Legislature of New Zealand of a contingent for service in the Transvaal. They will gladly avail themselves of this loyal and patriotic offer should the occasion arise ; and in such event the earliest possible intimation will be given. October 2. If the New Zealand contingent is to go to the Transvaal a training camp will ba formed at Miramar, arrangements for which the Defence department now have in hand. , The Defence' department has decided to lake over for the use of the New Zealand contingent the saddlery which the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles have ordered from London, and which will arrive by the Waimate, clue in a few days. The corps has also placed its new overcoats at the disposal of the department. Both saddlery and overcoats will be kept in store in •case the contingent is sent to South Africa. HORSES FOR THE CONTINGENT. -Colonel Penton, Commander of the New Zealand forces, writes to the Post as follows: — "In the event of a contingent of mounted rifles proceeding from the colony to the Transvaal, some of the men composing the jonbingenfc will probably not | ■own horses. The Government will arrange to provide horses free of expense for such men, but as many private gentlemen have come forward and expressed a wish to present horses for this service, I shall be glad if you will give publicity to this fact, and to intimate that the Commander of the Forces, on behalf of the Government-. Trill be very glad to avail himself of suih public-spirit«d and patriotic offers, and will accept with pleasure similar offers from gentlemen who would wish to come forward in a like generous manner. The horses should be between the ages of five and eight, about 15.1 hands in height, and sound. Grey (horses would not be suitable." OTAGO VOLUNTEERS. Steps are being taken to a=ceitain b<-'.v many men in Otago -are prepared to volunteer for the Transvaal, but the matwr will take some little time, as various inquiries have to be made before the number can Ij«j known. (£ |a understood that volunteer authorities

in Dunedin have leceived offers from a great many civilians to join any force that may be sent from the colony, but there is not the (slightest chance of any of these being accepted. The selection will be made exclusively from the mounted volunteer corps in Otago, and it is confidently anticipated that no difficulty will be experienced in securing from this quarter the 50 men which Otago is invited to proffer. The officers in charge of the various corps of the Otago mounted battalion were communicated with late yesterday afternoon, and already replies have been received from the Balclutha and Southland troops that these will, beyond all doubt, be able to supply their quota. Five men of the Otago Hussars, it is stated, have already volunteered, but the matter will be brought officially under the notice of the company at a parade to-day. With reference to the position of Major Robin it may be explained that as he is now on the staff it is expected he will be sent with the volunteers if their services are accepted. So far there is nothing further to report locally in connection with the movement to despatch a New Zealand contingent of volunteers to South Africa, beyond the fact that Major Robin, in response to instructions, left for Wellington by the north express on Saturday, presumably to confer with the authori : ties on details bearing on the affair. Sufficient time lias not yet elapsed to enable the members of the mounted corps throughout Otago to definitely state whether they are prepared to join the contingent, but it is anticipated that there will be no lack of numbers when the time comes ; on the contrary, it is expected that far more will want to go than the 50 this province has been asked to send. WheYi the contingent has been selected some weeks will probably be absorbed in the way of organisation, so doubtless the authorities in Wellington will push on the preliminaries as speedily as possible.

Discussing the necessity for sending a strong force British into South Africa in the event of war against the Transvaal, a correspondent of the Cape Times, writing in the middle of August, says: — "At present it is not at all certain that the Free State would join the Transvaal by declaration of war, though there cannot be a doubt that many Freestaters v together with Cape Colony and Natal Boers, would make their way to the scene of conflict ; but in the event of a signal success at the commencement of hostilities, and considering the relationship of the Boers throughout South Africa, it would not be a matter ffcr surprise if the Free State openly declared itself an ally of the Transvaal. Such action of the Free .State at such a time, in addition to the success of Boer arms, would encourage those in the Cape and Natal, who before were vacillating, to hesitate no longer, and thus a force of 30,000 which originally opposed the British would be augmented to 60,000 or 70,000. For the English to advance with a force of 10,000 or 12,000 men will be to court disaster ; and a reverse at the opening of hostilities, which would necessitate retiring and waiting for reinforcements, will see important towns in the hands of the Boers, and it is not too much to assume that the Boer in a fortified position will cause much trouble, expense and delay to dislodge. Other matters that should not be lost sight of are, that we shall be outimmbered ; that th<3 enemy is as well armed as ourselves ; is fighting in his own country, and has a more intimate knowledge of that country than any European army has of it 3 own ; that we are opposed to a mounted army, which has in its favour the advantages of celerity in tactics and in strategical combinations and superior power of moving these combinations, either when complete from one point, or attaining completion when converging from several points. That this rapidity of movement is of the greatest practical advantage to the enemy, and will certainly have to be reckoned with, should also not be lost sight of. for it increases his numbers by tho positive advantage ho gains in the better use he can make of his time for rapid concentration than is possible to his adversary. Fifty thousand men is the least strength that should be allowed to such a campaign, ammunition without stint, concentrated food in full abundance, hospital requirements complete in every detail ; indeed, such an army should be the most perfect in its absolute completeness that has ever yet bean equipped since war first began, for it must rely in no way for provision on the country it invades. The march of this English army should be sternly triumphant, subject to no reverse, no compromising cheek ; aud let the end be thus attained, and the Boer will bo a quiet and peaceful burgher and citizen unril the Day of Judgment. These Transvaal Boers, of whom I may speak as having had experience of them from before Sir Theophilus Shepstone's annexation, are by force of traditional belief and later experience? positively assured of the inability of England to place an army of any magnitude in the field in South Africa, .and the Boer having once fairly digested, to his own satisfaction, this comfortable belief, nothing but ocular^ proof will eradicate the idea."

SHOULD HOSTILITIES BREAK OUT. (Fbom Oun Own Correspondent.) LONDON, August 11. Troops and war material are being poured wholesale* into South Africa, and the Boers on. their part are making large preparations. A good deal of anxiety is felt in England as to the possibilities of an Anglo-Transvaal war. It is feared by many that such a war would " mean a terrible and bloody struggle ; that it would severely tax British military resources ; that it could not be concluded without a vast expenditure of money, and that it must necessarily demand consummate leadership to biing to a successful issue. But our military authorities hold that there is no adequate justification for this view.

It is held that should hostilities again break out, several of the circumstances which contributed to bring about the British failures on the last occasion will have ceased to be factors in the military situation. There is no fear now that the fighting strength and the military qualities of our antagonists will be underrated. There are at present quartered in Natal two 'cavalry regiments, and these would be a mere nucleus of the mounted force which would be assembled in the event of war. As regards musketry, there is every reason to believe that, while our infantry has made immense progress in shooting, that of the Boers has deteriorated. Lastly, there is not the slightest probability of her Majesty's Government embarking upon a struggle with the South African Republic without placing an ample force at the disposal of whatever general officer may be selected for the command. At first sight it may seem paradoxical to ascit that organisation is a positive disadvantage to military forces. But military writers coiuend that "the whole history of war between regular and irregular forces tends to shew that their very want of organisation is one of the moat effective weapons in the ar-

moury of the latter. Their independence of communications, their power of dispersing, should it appear desirable, with the intention of re-assembling at another time and place, their orthodox moves in the game, their dislegard for ordinarily accepted rules of strategy and tactics, are in no small degree the consequence of their lack of a well-regulated military system. It may be found, should it be put to the test, that the more definite organisation which appears to have been introduced in the forces of the Transvaal has increased their fighting capabilities ; but it is by no means impossible that the changes may turn out to have quite a contrary effect. It has been estimated that a conflict with the South African Republic would cost this country thousands of lives and millions of money. Supposing that the quarrel were to extend over Capo Colony, over the Orange Free State, over Natal, and over Rhodesia, it is not impossible that this alarmist view might be justified. But no greater mistake can be made than to suppose thai tlip conquest of the Transvaal Boers, left to themselves, is a task which would severely test the British Army, s>r which would involve an expenditure which need in the least degree alarm the taxpayer." This is consolitary so far as it goes.

But one of the most serious features of the prospective situation is the temptation which it would offer to unfriendly or ambitious foreign Powers to steal a march on us while we should be hampered by a South African war. Russia is already preparing for fresh moves alike in China and on the Persian Gulf. An intimation has been sent to China that the friendly understanding between the Celestial Empire and Japan, which had been foreshadowed, would be unfavourably regarded by Russia, and would be taken as an unfriendly course, calling for serious action on the part of Russia. And several feelers have been put forth Persia-ward.

Again, France is still fidgetting on the Soudan borders, and is doing her best to stir up Abyssinian against British rule in the Soudan. Moreover, an unlucky affair off Folkestone the night before last has tended onco more to whet the edge of French irritation and susceptibility. A French fishing Riuack wantonly encroached upon the English fishing ground and refused to surrender, whereupon she was fired into by a British guuboat and one man was killed. This has afforded a new text for the Anglophobes who rave and storm more suo, but it is hardly possibly to build up a casus belli out of such materials, even if the French were anything like ready for war, which assuredly they are net. Still, all these things are the straws which point the direction of a storm, and it would be the height of folly to shut our eyes to the fact that there are disturbing elements all round, and that every tempest which threatens seems to mark out the British Empire as it-d target.

At such a time all parts of the Empire should no doubt stnnd together. Nevertheless, it is to be hoped that Australia and New Zealand will not be 100 ready to offer troops to fight the Boera without first making sure that the cause is a good one, and also that they will not dangerously denude themselves of defensive forces, which should be available in case of a far graver peril arising.

The following- extiT.eL-s from a letter received from a friend in Johannesburg have been placed at our disposal by Mr C. Akhurst, of Waimate: — Things here are in an awful state, owing to the pig-headed machinations of stupidity at Pretoria. The Boers are being armed as hard as the Government can distribute Mausers and ammunition. All cattle and food stuffs are being stopper! from the Free (?) State, and soon we shall come down to bully beef and oatmeal. The English troops are massing on the Borders, and more are coming every day. Laing's Nek is being held by Tommy Atkins, and on the North fiaden-Powe'l and Plumer have got about 3000 picked colonial boys all spoiling for a fight. The Portuguese officials at Delagoa Bay have stopped transport of the huge stores of rifles and cartridges sent out by Germany to the Transvaal, to be supplied to the Boer jyartisans in the Orange Free State and Colony, and a Portuguese gunboat is lying between the shore \md the anchorage to see there is no smuggling. Schreincr (not our only Olive, but the socalled Prime Sfinistcr at tho Cape) has declared the Cape Government in sympathy with the Transvaal — you will recollect it is at present a Bond Ministry, — and he no doubt will now resign. Sir William Butler has been recalled, as he ia known to sympathise also with the Bone!, and Sir F. Forestier- Walker is already on his way out, and in case the real thing comes Sir Jtedvers Buller will assume supreme command. In the meantime Pretoria spends its clays voting an extra boy as assistant to the Staats geologist, and the President forces the Iliad to carry his wishes through as law re dynamite. I don't blame him. If I got .e'lo,ooo a year out of a concession I'd do ail 1 knew to stick to it. They have offered us a seven To3rs's franchise. That is absurd, and in all probability this week or early next we shall be offered a five years ditto, but so hedged round with restrictions as to be useless. We think, and our agents at Home write us, that war is inevitable. Even Andrew writes so from Capetown, and he always held out against tho idea of war. Mac and I were over in Pretoria iast week, and saw many fearful and wonderful things, including Staats officials and Baad members, washed and unwashed. We went over for copy, and worked like niggers, and this week we have been at it till morning each night, as the Irishman remarked. Also, as loyal Britishers, we called at. Conyngham Greene's, and were allowed (by special permission) to take snapshpts of the house and of Lady Lily. "We turned cut at 6 on the Sunday morning to go and visit the OUI Man in the Presidency, but he had been up all niglvt, and spent all the morning at the telegraph office, communicating the result of his cogitations to Steya and Fischer, in the Orange Free State. The Cornishinen are leaving Johannesburg evr-iy night to the tune of 200 to 300 each train, special Kleurlingcn (3rd) class carriages hcin^ attached for them — and, Oh, wha'.. sends off they are having! Mac goes down to Stanclerton to-morrow to fetch his folks away, as the Boers are making things very unpleasant for English folks there ; and unless this bally beno starts soon I am off for a month to Zanzibar and sill along the east coast.

In a letter from Mr J. M. Gillespie, dated Kimberley, August 19, which the Marlborough Times has been shown by the father of the writer, it is stated that " Dr Jameson is now in Kimberley, and fchould war be declared I believe he will be one of the first to enter the Transvaal at the head of Powell's irregulars. If he enters it before war is declared he will be shot by the Boers for a certainty. Two powerful searchlights have been ereoted on the outskirts of Kimberley so as

to flash right over the border, the Veldt is mapped out, cannons erected, and other necessary precautions carried out under ths supervision of Imperial officers. The Boer press organs teem with bragging articles re the intention of the burghers to wreck the mines and bombard Pretoria and Johannesburg immediately England makes war on them. It is a wellknown fact that both Pretoria and Johannesburg are undermined, and hundreds of pounds of dynamite placed under various parts of these cities, and it would be only a matter of applying a match to these death-trains to carry out these diabolical threats, and spread havoc and death among the inhabitants of these centres. Of course Boer and Briton would suffer alike, but sooner than see their country '< and its immense riches pass into the hands of ! their enemies they would shed their lifeblood."

As the talk of the Johannesburg Uitlanders became more and more perky, the Boer organs in that town became proportionately more savage in comment. On August 22 the Rand Post said: — "One excited soldier, one thoughtless shot on the boundary, and Governments may lament and bewail, but the battle has begun. One rifle bullet going over the line from one side or the other will, in the hostile opinion of a Rhodeaian man like Colonel Baden-Powell, be the signal for the opening of hostilities, and in his place it would certainly be our object by a daring move to throw a handful of soldiers into Johannesburg. Then the fort at Johannesburg must do its destructive work — the town must bo fired on.- A serious fight at Johannesburg could equally be the cause of war breaking out. The burghers here are excited ; the Boers outside are also. Must wo ask again that matters be left as they are under these circumstances? Johannesburg, as half an English town, with its magazines in the mines near by, its population well disposed towards the enemy, to whom it offered food and lodging, is a place which the English would take and hold with comparative ease. Johannesburg as ji town well disposed towards the Transvaal would offer little inducement to the enemy, and be difficult to take, and be a splendid base of operations fcjr the Transvaal We, therefore, again ask whether the time has not come to make use of an ordinary right (here it is almost a duty) of war, and put out the English inhabitants, a considerable portion of whom would otherwise take service with the English officers. There are many English officers and soldiers here, and more will come if war takes place, and they would, from the, as it were, already built forts in the tailings heaps, do much damage to Transvaal commando?. Lot our commandos be spared from this enemy, and the well-disposed population from the necessity of being dragged into the combat."

It is evident from this and oth^r Boer utterances that when war does brcifc out Johannesburg will feel its first brunt.

CRIPPLING THE COLONIAL ARMY~~

A very sinister charge of crippling the colonial army has been laid against the present Dutch Cabinet of -Cape Colony: — The TCimberley Advertiser, in ati article based upon the Colonial Defence Blue Book, says: — "A far deadlier plan of campaign is now in operation. In time of peace tho responsibility for seeing that the armed forces of the colony are kept up to a proper standard of strength and efficiency devolves exclusively upon the colonial Government, and it is only too evident that that duty has been deliberately evaded. Let any intelligent person read the report on the colonial forces for 1898, which has just been presented to Parliament, and then say whether he can believe that the colonial forces are ready for any emergency, or can doubt for one moment that if pitted against any enemy but badly armed natives, they would be, by reason "of inferior armament and inadequate equipment, hopelessly outclassed. If that is the case, does it nor follow that the Ministry are seriously, to blame, and should ba impeached by Parliament and publio opinion for a grave dereliction of^duty? We need only refer to one or two mam facts gleaned from this report, which bears upon this grave indictment: —

"1. There has been a total falling-off of 450 men during the past year. This may fairly be attributed to the failure of tho Government to comply with the recommendations of the commandant of volunteers, though he strongly insists that he asked for nothing that was not absolutely essential.

" 2. The lamentable scarcity of officers still continues, and has been accentuated by the withdrawal by the Government of the increased offirers' capitation grant. "3. Tho Ea«ter volunteer camps wore suspended this year, ostensibly on financial grounds, but really from a desire to curry favour with the Transvaal."

(The Spectator.)

Though tho various rumours as to the numbers and nature of the troops which are being got ready ore probably in many eases erroneous in detail, wo do nob suppose that the general lines of action described are very far wrong. For example, we do not imagine that there need bo much doubt as to the truth of the allegations made in several papers that Sir Kedvers Buller will command our | forpp-j in case of »\ar. He is a General of great experience and ability, and he knowii the founlry. Again, we do not doubt that the main force will be concentrated in Natal, and will move along tho line of tho railway into the Transvaal, though possibly there may also be flank movements from the Bechnanaland Protectorate, and even from ICimberley. Next, it is clear that the troops which will concentrate in Natal will bo drawn from three different sources. To begin with, there are by this time about 6000. 0r more Regulars already in Natal. Next, a force of, we m?v suppose, about 30,000 m?n in all w.ill bo despatched direct from England. There will be another foree — all, of course, white troops* — numbering soino 10.000, which will bo sent from Tnrlia. Ti'en there will be a cousidprable number of local levies, eoiisisfcin<? of the Natal ! Volunteers and the Natal Mounted Police (essentially a military body), numbering together at least 2000, and also of volunteers specially enlisted m the colony, who may number another 1000. Lastly, we do not doubt that the powerful squadron in South African waters would be able to provide a Naval Brigade of not less than 1000 men, — making, in all, an army of pome 50.000 men in Natal. If wo add to these the irregular troops -which will bo collected on the other frontiers of tho South African Republic, the total force to bo employed will probably bo close on 55,000 mr-n, in which the proportions of cavalry and artillery will be very large. In addition to these there will bo tho English regiments which will be left to garrison Cape Colony. That the main force, acting from Natal, assisted by movements from Bechuanaland, will bo quite sufficient to deal with any resistance offered to them, though that rc&vstanoe will be conducted if » specially brave

people, we cannot doubt. It is difficult f<f say exaotly how many men the Boers will btf able to put in the field. Of course, if the whole Dutch population of the Cape and of the Orange Free State threw up work on their farms and flocked to support President ivruger in holding down the Outlanders, they might easily produce a body of 50.000 men, but that this will take place is far from likely. "What is probable (nay, we should say what is almost certain) is that only the younger and more adventurous of the Dutch farmers will come to the aid of the Boers. But this is not likely to mean a body of more than five or six thousand men. Let us suppose that the Boers themselves can put 20,000 men into the field. Their total force, then, is noS likely to be more than 25,000 men. And this, remember, will not be an organised force, but rather a mob of good marksmen. But a mob, even when each person in it provides his own transport and commissariat for, say, a week, is not an army. That groups of Boers 500 strong, or even a thousand, will fight very effectively in a rough country must, of course, be admitted. It is probable, indeed, that good shooting and individual resources, and pluck may make an unorganised body of 600 or 700 men a more formidable force than can exact drilling and close organisation. "When, however, it comes to bodips of 10,000 or 15,000 men, the want of organisation and of cohesion will bo very greatly felt. The Boers will, we grant. not> fail for want of company or regimental organisation, but they will for want of brigade organisation. Their strength in numbers will be an actual source of weakness, as also will be their artillery.- A force of 600 men without guns or any impedimenta, and in which each man look* out for himself, can act without confusion. A force of 15,000 men encumbered with guns, and necessarily trying: to work together without knowing how, will be in a very different position. If, then, the Boers in force meet ue in force we do nob think we need be afraid of the result. But perhaps it will be said that the Boers will not meet us in force, but will keep up a running fire war as they did last time. We do not think this likely, for it would mean the abandonment of Pretoria and of the fortg at Pretoria and Johannesburg. But even if they refused to meet us in the open, and determined to play a waiting game, we do nob think it would be successful. And for thia reason. In the old war the majority — nay, practically the whole — of the people of the Transvaal were against us. Now tho majority iiro on our side, and would velcomo us as deliverers, not as enemies. For example, there aro even in Pretoria some 30,000 Outlanders. If, then, the Boers were to allow ns to enter the Transvaal and to occupy Pretoria and Johannesburg, and to rely r.pon dilatory tactics, we should find oui'Felvus ab onco welcomed and strengthened by a great friendly population, which wo should at once pmceeil to arm and organise. The occupation of .Johannesburg and the Rand districts would I at once add 10,600, or even 15,000, men to oiu1 forces. Again, we should not be holding 1 iso- | lated posts, but a great city in railway com- : munication with the coast. The railways and I Iho deep hostility of the majority of tho i population to the Boers have, in fact, entirely *. altered the local conditions — we say " local " advisedly, because we do not forget the ivn- ; portance of the general race problem in South. i Africa — and have made them favourable to ' us instead of most unfavourable, as they were j in 1881. It would seem, then, certain that ! the Boers cannot afford to play a waiting game, ! avid must resist the advance of our troops in; ! the open. We do not say that ne6essarily ! this means an immediate victory for the British troops, but it would hardly be presumptuous to say so. Sir Redvers Buller is not Dr Jameson, and a brigade of British i cavalry is a very different thing from tho I young gentlemen iii picturesque hats who lost their way and their heads at Krugersdorp. Wo have dwejjfc so long on the strength of ! our forces in case of war not out of any feeling of arrogance, but solely with the hopo that President Kruger and the Boers may even now 6ee the madness of insisting on war. [We say "insisting" advisedly, because the Transvaal Executive know that they have only to grant Sir Alfred Milner's term™ fully and fairly and without any " clevor " drawbanks, to make peace absolutely certain.] Let | the Boers remember that if it comes to war I there will be no second Majuba Hill. When; ' onco we are engaged the struggle will be [ fought out to the bitter end, even if the i whole of South Africa becomes involved, and we have tho whole Dutch population ranged against the British. That is an event terrible in tiie extreme to contemplate, but even thafe would be faced rather than another act of | feebleness. As we have said, cost what it will in men and money, the British people, if war ensues, vill see it through to the end, for they are not now as in 1881, but realise that the whole future of the Empire de- [ pends upon their steadfastness in this quarrel. j President Kruger and his Boers are in no sense objects of hatred to our people, but .this fact must not mislead them into thinking 1 that, even if wo go to war, we shall soon* weary of it, and be ready on the first little reverse to make terms. Our people make plenty of mistakes, but they do not knowingly make them twice over. They know that the. peace made in 1881 after Majuba was a hideous blunder, and that blunder they will not repeat, come what may.