CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 14 October 1899, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

The Transvaal.

WAR DECLARED AS FROM

THURSDAY.

BRITISH AGENT RECALLED.

An ultimatam from the Transvaal Government was, on the gth inst., telegraphed by the State Secretary (Mr Reitz) to Sir Alfred Miiner, British High Commissioner for South Africa. The State Secretary in his communication said that the franchish was exclusively a question for the Transvaal Government to determine. The presence of British troops on the frontier menaced the independence of the Transvaal. In order to end this intolerable condition of affairs, Mr Reitz requested that the British Government should give the following assurances: — 1. That all differences between Great Britain and the Transvaal should be submitted to arbitration. 2. That there should be^an instant withdrawal of all British troops from tie borders" of the Republic. 3. That all reinforcements sent by Great Britain since the Ist July

should be at once removed from South Africa.

4. That British troops at present en route should not be landed in South Africa.

If these assurances were given, continued Mr Reitz, the Transvaal Government would guarantee that it would not make any attack during the progress of negotiations, and that #it would, moreover, withdraw its burghers from the frontier. If, however, an affirmative answer were not received by it by 5 p.m. on Wednesday the 11 instant, the Transvaal Government would regard the action of the British Government as a declaration of war. Any movement of the British troops nearer to the frontier would be similarly regarded. Newspapers throughout Great Britain consided that the tone of the Transvaal Government's ultimatum is grotesquely arrogant and defiant. The anticipate that the British Government will simply acknowledge receipt of the telegram, and express regret at the serious step which the Transvaal has taken.

It is feared that the Boers intend to shoot Mr Robertson, a friend of Mr Cecil Rhodes, who has been arrested on a charge of recruiting within the Transvaal on behalf of the British. Mr Robertson asserts that he was merely seeking assistance for the removal of women and children from his land, and that his action has been misunderstood.

Boer troops patrol Laing's Nek and Majuba Hill alter nightfall. Military authorities believe that the fighting strength of the Bores is enormously overrated in some of the estimates which have been published. There are no British troops to the north of Ladysmith and Glenco. Some anxiety is felt for the safety of Mafeking, though Colonel BadenPowell is confident of holding the place. The women there refuse to leave, prefering to remain so as to be on hand to nurse the wounded. '

There are in Cape Colony and Natal no fewer that forty-five thousand refugees from the Transvaal. Nearly all these people are in great distress, and it is proposed to appeal to the Empire for assistance for them. A little has already been done locally, and among the private contributors is Mr Cecil Rhodes, who has given £500 The Capetown municipality has voted £1000 to relieve the pressing wants of refugees in the city. The British Cabinet will meet again on Friday. The War Office has ordered large qu-i itities of New Zealand oats and compressed forage. As there are 16,000 regular troops and 2000 Volunteers in Natal, no anxiety is felt there for the safety of the colony. Tha Governor of N.S. Wales (Earl B^auchamp) has informed RearAdmiral Pearson, Commander-in-Chief of the Australian station that war in the Transvaal is in operation as from Thursday. Mr Conyagham Green, British

agent at Pretoria, has been recalled. Sir Alfred Milner, in a communication dated the 12th instant, assured President Steyn, of the Orange Free State, that he was prepared to consider definite suggestions for the termination of tho crisis, but that he declined to be pledged in regard to the disposition of the British troops. With reference to the despatch of the Transvaal Government's ultimatum it is stated that President Kruger's hand was forced by the burghers who chafed at the delay involved in the course of diplomacy. Afrikanders in Cape Colony consider that in precipitating hostilities the Transvaal Government has made a false move, and one that will alienate sympathy from the Boers. ' Mr Schreiner, Premier of Cape Colony, stated in the House of Assembly that the report of ill-treat-ment of fugitives by the Boers had not been confirmed. He challenged the Anglican Archbishop of Capetown (Dr Jones) to substantiate a letter which he had published in the news- W papers on the subject. There is intense indignation at the Cape owing to Mr Schreiner's action recalling Civil Servants from the Camp at Kimberley on the ground that they must observe neutrality. Dr Clark, a Boer agent in London, * states that the ultimatum was ready for despatch a week ago, but it was hoped to be able to withhold it until the special session of the British Parliament was opened. It is reported that Orange Ifree State burghers have crossed Van Reenan's Pass entered Natal, and seized a train belonging to the Natal Government railways at Harrismith. Outlanders now in Natal have offered toform an infantry, corps 3000 strong. The Government has promised to advise the enrolment of a force of 1000.

The correspondent of the London "Times" who spent four days at Sandspruit, reports that he found 8000 Boers encamped over a wide area of country. They had abundant supplies of food, but their water supply was defective. It is estimated by the correspondent that there are 13,000 armed Boers on the Natal frontier, 3500 near Mafeking, and 3000 near Kimberley. No important operations are expected at present, since the British troops will act on the defensive until an army corps arrived from England. President Kruger, replying to an address presented to him on his seventyfourth birthday, urged the Transvaal troops to put their trust in God, who would direct every bullet that they fired.

The American Consul will protect British interests in the Transvaal, Mr Greene having been recalled. The " Standard and Digger's News " published at Johannesburg, has sus« pended publication. The Governor (Sir Alfred Miiner) has issued a proclamation conveying a warning that it is a treasonable act for British subjects to abet the Boers. The Lord Mayor of London has opened a fund for the relief of refugees from the Transvaal.

The British Government has chartered the the Orient liner Orient as a troopship. The Boers are advancing on Laing's Nek and Ingogo unopposed. It is expected that they occupy Newcastle tonight. The British force left Mafeking, making its way towards the border with big guns and ambulance. The women and children have been withdrawn from Mafefeing. A detachment of Orange Free State troops at Olivershock threaten Colenso. The Natal Boer commandos Utrecht and Dayfield are descending towards Rorke's Drift, Buffalo River, east of Dundee.