The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 16, 1900, Page 1

"~ VOLUME LXXXVII— SAN FRANCISCO, FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1900. PRICE FIVE CENTS. CAMPAIGN AGAINST BOERS ON THE LINE OF ORANGE RIVER IS BEGUN British Generals Under L.ord Roberts Uniting in a Movement That Places the Republican| Forces Position. Joubert Is Now Concentrating His Forces | Thirty-Five Miles North of Bloemfon- tein, Where He May Make an Effort to Check the Advance of the Imperial In. vaders. S A ONDON, March 16.—Lord Roberts has already started ent to crush between the forces of Generals cre and Brabant and his own army the the line of the Orange River for many movem € « General tacre has crossed the Orange River at v General Pole-Carew, with the two and mounted infantry, has been sent Free State capital by railway. He was at Beth- miles below Bloemfonte vesterday. The object Rober C to secure for Lord army control of the which will im- n. Bloemionte ape Colony, 1t position. If they fight General from \hr\‘ll Pont, General Bra- Gene satacre from Bethulie, be threatening their rear. omm ce and rew will evidently under the impression that his which he is likely to en- 1Warren's division has been 1 General Buller. nce ‘)LH@' Durban to rejc in been locatted several strong positions of T)rakc“\herq and Biggersberg Range, i r General Buller, acting avy loss of life and a repetition 1ong the hills of the Tugela. But wving north along the railway General divide his forces. Should he suffer ander in chief General Buller 1ty to advance. " 2 OF 1Pl it rt is now concentrating his forces at Brand- iles north of Bloemfontein, where he may ck the British comr to the London newspapers describe at welcome given to the British loemfontein. It should be borne it a large percentage of the residents of are Eng most of whom remained red. enthusiastic BRITONS SATISFIED WITH THE CAMPAIGN. | SR TR ST vents are moving in the South African cam- manner from both the military and politicai ed he most sanguine Eng- raflway north of Bloemfontein far from having retired from the 00 men, presumably to superintend s long had been prepared out- When asked this reason by Lord > not like fish and would not care southern part of the Free State derstood that Mr. accept the position iament yesterday of the corre- a8 throughout the country. The . action and, taken with the general to any intervention, these inci- o further serious attempt to interfere 1 American newspaper, that the Boers will t to the ground if necessary, s not taken very Kruger has already h_conduct, is regarded as showing that ke Times suggests that the burghers be taxed as a guarantee against any dam- t no serious apprehensions are entertained of such con- to have foreshadowed. J. B. Robinson, the milliion- = does not belleve the Boers would be so foolish. berts reaches the Vaal River he will command some $0,- will have 40,000. From the military poi~¢ of view nothing to fear. ral Buller sow think there is CORRESPONDENTS FIRST IN BLOEMFONTEIN —_— ¥ March 13.—Lord | was stationed, and this correspondent rode e capital to- | forward and had the honor of announcing opposed. He | to the commander in chief that Bloem. fon 1 would surrender. A little later the deputation began to approach and Lord Roberts went forward to meet them The treme. 1 the mounted infant: the railw skir- ne was picturesque in the cx- A few yards away the guns of a 4 their grim mouths toward late position of the Boers, while the ofs of Bloemfontein shone in the dis- the gade moved kopjes whic After salutes had been exchanged a ser of the deputation stepped forward leclared that the town wished to sur- from the il ff the ve off the enemy; A,'.’:”- iy | render, hoping that Lord Roberts woull ; g protect life and property. He replied that. ay towird the town. percelving i providing there was ho" opposition, he r Lot the Byipey would undertake to guarantee the security e n » b of both. The interview was very cordial, ward and entered everyday a hopping or for mors without a sign of solemnness. It struck this correspondent that the deputation med relieved by the presence of tha at first (d)u three "J“.( | British troops. Lord Roberts notifie1 the lLaru'k ?:n l;'“ NSO | geputation of his intention of entering the becam no | | town in state, and they withdrew to in- > ‘ form the townspeople. | Lord Roberts then made his military dfspositions, ordering the First Brigaas 1o follow him and to take passession of the town. With his staff and the military at- taches he descended the kopje and a rived on the plain, where he waited until the cavairy approached. Then he entered the city, followed by his personal staff, the general staff, the military attaches and ers of the British rdially and conduct met Mr. Fra the Mayor .md| These they persuaded to 2nd go to meet Lord Rob- drove out of the city the were closing around like cavalry The deputation soon arrived the kopje where Lord Roberts British a high net opposite the troops. in a Difficult| + 6 o0+ @OTOMD LOIOHOLOT o-i-ox-&mm-oxmwm-mmwo- It will be interesting to await the retiring Boers. on separate lines will be quite the enemy’s forces and to bring “The Boers cannot longer and compromise the B OO0 Ok OF 010 0+ 00 0+ GO+ OO #0010 +O-F 010 HO +O ONDON, March 16.—Spencer Wilkinson, in the Morning Post, commenting upon the very satisfactory nature of the occupancy of Bloemfontein, says: Boer resistance along the Orange River would collapse on British occupation of the Free State capital seems to have been realized. between the British troops moving southward on the railway and ‘“Looking to the strength of Lord Roberts’ army by the time he reaches Vaal River, it is not surprising that Sir Charles War- ren’s division is retained in Natal. An advance of the two armies resistance in Natal would enable Lord Roberts to cross the Vaal Boer force in Natal. Serious resistance at Brandfort or Ventersberg would enable General Buller to pass the mountains and threaten the Boer communications.” e e e e e o o S S Y « © o & o © © o “The anticipation that the the meeting and perhaps the fight the best form of operations to crush about his absolute submission. afford to divide their forces. Serious % | : * . - . . & . . ONDON, March 15.—In the House of Commons to-¢ replying to Mr. Redmond, Irish Nationalist, who asked whether the Government of the United States had offered its good offices to her Majesty's Government with the view to bringing about peace in South Africa, the Government leader, Mr. Balfour, sald her Majesty's Government would not accept the intervention of any power in the settlement of South African affairs. Mr. Baltolir's reply was as follows: The United States Charge d'Affaires, March 13, communicated to Lord Salisbury the follow- ing telegram from Mr. Hay: “By way of friendly and good office inform the British Minister of Forelgn Affairs that I ‘u -day recelved a telegram from the United e Consul at Pretoria reporting that the e a At ot Ais it Afieg Bephie quests the President of the United States to in- tervene with a view to cessation of hostilitles, and saying that a similar request has been made to the representatives of the European powers. In communicating this request I am directed by the President of the United States to express the earnest hope that a way will be found to bring about peace and to say that he would be glad in any friendly manner to ald In bringing about the desired result.” ‘rhe reading of this dispatch was greeted with cheers from the Irish members. » Continuing, Mr. Balfour said: “Lord Salisbury requested Mr. White to convt the sincere acknowledgment of her Majesty's Government to the Govern- ment of the United States for the friendly tone of their communication and to say that her Majesty’s Government does not propose to accept the intervention of any power in settlement of South African | affairs.” Loud and prolonged cheering followed this statement. Boer Sympathizers Responsible. Mr. Balfour, replving to Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, the opposition leader, who asked whether, in view of the numerous recent aisturbances connected with peaceable meetings called to discuss South African affairs, or directed against the persons and property of individuals, because of their war opinions, the Gov- ernment would cause an inquiry as to how far and by whom the disturbances were organized and what steps would be taken to prevent their recurrence, said that every cause of disturbance had been examined and that the demonstrations appeared to be spontaneous. He added | that the Government felt the responsibil- PRESIDENT STEYN ADDRESSING THE BURGHERS AT BLO:MFONTEIN. (From the Sketeh). | The President | task, but Lord Salisbury has ac- b Stands in the Fent?r of the Picture With His High | Qittied: himeelf: with: conspictous ¢ Hat in His Hand. | success.” | i | The Daily Mail says: “English- @+ 0+ O+ Ee0 404000+ 040 +9+09+0+0+0@|() men are sufficlently acquaint:d POWERS ARE WARNED AGAINST INTERVENTION In the House of Commons It Is Officially | Stated That Great Britain Will Not | Permit Mediation. t A AT AR DA RO { PRAISE OF McKINLEY BY LONDON PRESS LONDON, March 16.—Lord Salls- bury’s attitude toward the United States meets with the —universal approval of the press. The Di Graphic says: “It was not an ea: BSATA TR SRR TRHTH AR SR AR TR AR Ok Tk @t‘fi»i"}*@*\\ * Q,*Qv*@*‘b t@*%‘*@fl@ 0006000604000 with American affairs not to m interpret the attitude of the Wash- ington Cabinet. President McKin- ley has behaved to us with scrupu- lous fairness. The very correctness of his attitude has becomea danger to him. It is idle to deny that the leaders of both parties im the United States are now exposed to a strong temptation. We look to the Republican leaders to rse above this devil's balt.” The Standard sa: “Lord Salis- bury's reply will not be misunder- stood in Washington or any other civilized capital. We are grateful to the Americans for - their good wishes and ‘we should be delighted to accept their assistance if it were possible. But this quarrel is our own and we must settle it in our own way. We have no reason to complain of platonic and vicarious affection for intervention so long as the Government is quite resolved to leave it to its neighbor to begtn.” The Daily News says: “The Brit- ish attitude is analogous to that of the United States in the quarrel with Spain, an attitude respected by us in a manner which has been gratefully acknowledged by General Alger in the North Amer- ican Review. It was a happy cir- cumstance that the first message of the kind came from a quarter in which there was so little possibil- ity of a misunderstanding. It is quite unlikely now that France or any other power will interfere.” The Daily Chronicle says: “If Lord Salisbury's answer should prejudice Mr. McKinley's elec- tioneering prospects, the latter cannot blame this country. M. Del- casse is a much more discreet man. He has not attempted to gratify anfi-British sentiment. Here we see the advantageof Euro- pean diplomacy over the artless impulses of the White House.” The Times says: “President Me- Kinley's message does not amount to much, of course, although it is more than we ever thought of do- ing when the United States was just beginning to break down Spanish resistance. He could hardly have anticipated any other reply than Lord Salisbury sent. M. Delcasse adheres to the ex- tremely correct and friendly atti- tude maintained by the French Government throughout this war." DRI RTSET RE K@ pressed regret at the fact that no satis- factory answer was given. Tears Off the Mask. LONDON, March 15.—The executive committee of those who have organized themselves Into a body in favor of stop- ping the war published a resolution to the effect that the reply of the Premier to the appeal of Presidents Kruger and Steyn “tears off the mask and reveals the truth <o long denied that the war is being waged Campbell-Bannerman said he thought the | for the destruction of the independence Government should have used its influ- |of the Dutch commonwealths,” and de. ence In favor of free speech, and - ex- | clared a time will come when allywho are | it rested with those who called the meet- ings in the heated state of public feeling. | They should be careful lest they asked more than human nature could give. The reply was regarded as unsatisfac- tory, and Sir Robert T. Reid, Liberal, moved an adjournment with the view of raising a discussion of the question. The Secretary of State for the Colonies, Joseph Chamberlain, answering a ques- tion as to the threats of demolishing the mines and razing Johannesburg, said that at the commencement of the war Presi- dent Kruger was warned that he and his Government would be held personally: re- sponsible for any act contrary to the usages of clyilized communities. Sir William Vernon Harcourt, Liberal, supported the motion to adjourn. He said Mr. Balfour's answer discouraged the right of public meeting. Mr. Balfour, replying, reiterated that pro-Boers were not justified in forcing their ideas, though possibly all right, buu which were not agreeable to the majority of the nation. He dénied.that he had said enything inconsistent with the principles of free speech, and asserted the Govern- ment would do its best to see that the right of free speech in every legitimate form was safeguarded in every part of her Majesty’s dominions. After a lively debate the motion was rgjected by a vote of 229 to 120. * Irish Members United. The whole opposition ‘and all ‘the Irish members stood up in support of Sir Rob- ert Reid’s motion. He said he regrettetd the necessity of the motion and expected Mr. Balfour would show the Govern- ment's unqualified disapproval of the dis- graceful scenes, in place of which the speaker asserted he had thought proper to lecture those who had not asked for his advice. Lord Fitzmaurice, Liberal member of Parliament for the Northern Division of ‘Wiltshire, suggested that the Government could withhcld the police grants in the districts where the police did not do their duty, and George Bartley, Conservative member for North Islington, observed that those who held the meetings in ques- tion were a ‘“parcel of semi-traitors and a handful of agitating scoundrels.” He added that he was delighted at this show of feeling in the country. Referring to the attempts to break up the meetings, Sir NQ‘Q!Q B S s S N B B S e e e MR REPMOND | President Steyn asked the reason of these > *e OoMR T.P.O ‘CONNOR * o B e o o e e s ] MR PiLLIN IRISH ME (From the Mr. Redmond, Irish Nationalist, asked whether the Govern- ment of the United States had offered its good services to her Ma- Jesty’s Government, with the view Africa. MBERS IN THE The Government leader, Mr. Balfour, replied that “her Ma- jesty’s Government does not propose to accept the intervention of any power in the settlement of the South African question.” MR T.HEALY ~- HOUSE OF COMMONS. London Graphic.) to bringing about peace in South B R B e B R e i B e i S S o g REFUTATION OF LORD SALISBURY’ S CONTENTION |Transvaal Secretary Accuses Great Britain of Purposely Deciding to Bring On the RETORIA, Wednesday, March 4.— State Secretary Reitz's refutation | of Lord Salisbury's argunments in the reply to the Bloemfontein joint note was issued to-day. Mr. Reitz | 'The British Government, after lhe} Bloemfontein conference, endeavored to enforce by threats certain changes in the internal government of the Transvaal re- public, contrary to the London conven- tion. They also !mported troops in great numbers and broke off negotiations with a threat to take their own means to re- move the grievances of their subjects. “After waiting a fortnight, while an army corps was prepared and the reserves | were being called out by the British, proceedings. Sir Alfred Milner refused to reply. “Meanwhile Mr. Chamberlain, In his | speeches. showed the world that England had “dec.ded on war. Accerdingly - the Transvaal = republics addressed to the | British Government a demand for a with- drawal of their troops, as otherwise it would accept the presence of the troops as a declaration of war. That was not sarily intended as a message of War. Concerning the armaments Mr. Reita says: “These were bought openly in England and in Europe and the high commis- sioner boasted full knowledge of them at the Bloemfontein conference, and also full descriptions of those armaments were found among the officer’s papers at Dun- dee. “Both the army and the ultimatum were protective measures, subsequent to the raid and to the discovery, through concealed cables, that British Cabinet | Ministers were implicated in the attempt to filch away the independence of the re- public. Now all doubt is removed by Lord Salisbury’s telegram. The burghers must fight for their national existence, trusting that God will defend'tha right.” LONDON, March 16.—The Pretoria cor- | respondent ‘of the Daily Mail telegraph- ing_Wednesday says: “Mr. Reitz's statement has been pul lished throughout the republic. but wm not be forwarded to Lord Salisbury. 1 have had with the ate nfl\( ers show that the re- prepared to grant substantial reforms and concessions until the receipt v's telegram. As one of the highest statesman remarked, ‘Better half an egg than none, but better none than a rotten egg.’ "™ opposed to.the ‘“‘war of extermination” will unite in a solemn protest. Intervention Is Impossible. PARIS, March 15.—The Minister of For- eign Affairs, M. Delcasse, in the Senate to-day, replying to a question regarding the intentions of the Government of France respecting events in South Africa, said the Presidents of the two republics had solicited the intervention of the pow- ers. But, he added, in the presence of the telegrams exchanged between the British Government and the two republics, it ap- peared that the intervention of the pow- ers had become almost impossible. The full -statement of M. Delcasse was as follows: The. request from the Presidents of the two republics for the intervention ef the powers had hardly reached the powérs when the Govern- ment of Great Britain published its reply that it was not disposed to consent to the independ- ence of the two. republics. Thus—one of the o belligerents- declaring it could not make peace excepting on condition to which the other affirms 1t is not disposed to subscribe—it be- comes manifest that any intervention upon such & basis would be superfluous. The resolutions of the conterence at The Hague can only be put in actlon when there is reason to assume that belligerents wiil not be insensible to them. It was under these conditions that France offered mediation in the Spanish-American war. Our relations with the two belligerents then were absolutely cordial and free of suspicion. No French interest was directly invoived in the conflict. No cloud had rigen between France and the belligerents which could give rise to a fear that the attitude of France would be re- ‘membered to her prejudice. Moreover, I had reason to think that Washington would listen to overtures. I undertook to communicate these, and that is why, faithful to the best traditions of France, which did not appear to me incompatible Wwith her essential interes) always superior in my eyes to all considera- tions, 1 accepted the delicate and, as it was, the difficult mandate offered me. I have said enough to enable the Senate fully to appreciate the difference between the two situatioms. France’s Union With Russia. The Minister then denied that France had refused to join Russia in making a friendly suggestion in the direction of peace. The union between France and Russia, M. Delcasse declared. Iraws closer every day and defies all malevolent assertions to the contrary. France, he added, had never ceased to be the gener- ous nation the world has known and ad- mired, and sometimes abandoned. But after so many hard and sometimes crael experiences she can no longer admit that her duty to the world should stand before her obligations to herself. (o dence on Mediation. WASHINGTON, March 15.—In response ta a resolution the President to-day semt to the Senate the correspondence relating to the requests for mediation in South Af- rica. The first document is a dispatch from. Pretoria, dated March <10, which states: Am cfficially requested by the governments of the republics to urge your intervention with a view to the cessatfon of hostilities. A sim- flar request has-been made to the Tepresenta~ tives cf the European powers. Answer to col- firm receist. AMERICAN CONSUL. Mr. Hay responded: Your telegram asking offices of the United States to bring about the cessation of hostili- ties has been made-the subject of friendly com- munication to the British Government, with an expression of the President’s earmest hove for peace. HAY. Secretary, Hay telegraphed Mr. White, secretary of the American Embassy at London, as follows: By way of friendly goéd offices, you will in- form the British Minister for Forelgn Affairs that T am to-day In receipt of a telegram from the United States Consul at Pretoria repre- seuting that the governments of the two Af- rican republics request the President's inter- vention with a view to the cessation of hos- tilitles, and that a similar request is made to the representtives of European powers. In communicating. this request I am directed by the President to express his earnest hope that a way to bring about peace may be found and to say that Le would be glad to aid in any triendly manner to promote so happy a result. HAY. Mr. White replied to Secretary Hay une der date of March 13: 1 communicated vesterday to the Under Sec- retary for Foreign Affairs, having been unable to see Lord Salisbury, the contents of your telegram dated the 1th inst. To-day I have had an interview with his Lordship, who re- quested me to thank the President for the friendly interest shown by him. and added that her Majesty's Government cannot accept the intervention of any power. WHITE. Mr. Hay telegraphed the Consul at Pre- Continued on Second Page.