Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1899 — ON THE VERGE OF WAR. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ON THE VERGE OF WAR.

Britigli and Boer* Likely to Soon Begin Hostile Operations. There is no diminution in the tension over the Transvaal crisis. War is now discussed in London as a certainty. It

is the consensus of opinion that Kruger is proving himself a great man at his country’s expense. The reserve [of the royal artillery has been inIstructed to hold itself in readiness for service in South Africa. This is the most serious military announcement since the beginning of the crisis, and

points to early action in the field and to

the certainty of a conflict. Unless President Kruger is aggressive, it is reckoned that the first engagement will come about the beginning of October. In the event of war the headquarters staff must turn to the artillery, for British infantry—even if 80,000 be sent, as is suggested—will be shot down like partridges by the Boers. The artillery, however, next to the engineers, is the strongest branch of the land forces. Both the Transvaal and Britain are busy seeing to their military preparations, and in Pretoria a most gloomy view is taken as to the outcome. Indeed, in telegrams received in London it is stated that war is certain, but the papers hesitate to publish them owing to their gravity. In an interview Tuesday, President Kruger said that the Boer position was best described in Psalm Ixxxiii., 1-5 and 13-7, iu which the psalmist declares that the enemies of the Lord have banded together against his people to exterminate them, and calls upon him to punish them, to fill them with shame, and to cause them to perish. The London Daily Mail's Cape Town correspondent says it is estimated that 15,000 persons have left the Transvaal since the crisis arose. The Government has announced in the Assembly that it is considering greater facilities to enable

women and children to leave Johannesburg. In view of the increased tension in South Africa the Government of Queensland is making preliminary arrangements for the dispatch of its military contingent.

PAUL KRUGER.

THE VOLKSRAAD—THE BOER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT.