The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-29

OF the TransvaaI's Feelings Toward
Great Britain.

Cape Town. April rs. - The text OF
President Krugers reply to the invita-
tion OF the British government. through
the secretary of state for the colonies.
Joseph Chamberlain, 10 visit England
and discuss matters connected with the
Transvaal and it's future is a yolumi-
nous document and plainly indicates the
firm attitude assumed by the Boer
statesman. who does not yield In the
slightest
The president begins by stating that
his visit to England has always de-
pended upon the settlement OF basis or
discussion and he regrets that the basis
has not yet been reached. Continuing, no
says:
I'm friendly spirit the government saw
clearly and recorded it's opinion that no
foreign interference in the internal
affairs OF the republic could be allowed.
Mr. Chamberlain admits the justice OF
this position, yet he intimates that
Great Britain desires that particular In
ternal measures be taken by the Trans
vaal. The latter cannot allow TO pass
unnoticed the expression admitted
grievances and, however well meant
end observate, this government must ex-
press regret that having intimated its
desire for the reconsideration OF the
London convention, In consequence OF
the inroad OF DIR. Jameson, the position
should be assumed that in the discussion
the so-styled admitted grievances
ntst be included as sine qua non I'm the
event of a reconsideration being agreed
to.
".rhe south African republic has always
been prepared 60 receive and consider
in friendly spirit the private sugges-
tions OF the imperial government re-
garding the interests OF the British sub
jects although the South African re-
public has never admitted the existence
OF the so-called admitted grievances
and must deny, on that account, that the
right exists 10 create rebellous move
ments. 1t does not affect TO be perfect
or infallible, and has repeatedly declared
that II is prepared to listen TO just COM
plants presented in constitutional
manner by anyone. But the South
African Republic is Of the opinion that
every step calculated to prolong the ir'
ritation existing in South Africa must bo
studiously avoided by the exercise OF
mutual forbearance and good wi H.
II feel confident you will recognize
and appreciate the difficulty Of my posi-.
ton. Ii appears TO be wiser not to press
the question OF my proceeding to Eng.
land any further at present, but to leave
II open. especially In view OF the coming
session of the volkesraad. and that the
desirability of my presence durlnE at
least a portion Of the session, when i'm
portant measures are TO be considered
Is apparent"
In regard to Mr. Chamberlain's pro-
posal TO guarantee the Transvaal pro.
lection from outside attack in exchange
for a remedy of the Uitlanders griev.
ances. President Kruger says:
Something is offered the South Afri
can republic which II already possessed
as the obligations and relations Of ths
South African republic to Great Brit
ain, as recognized by international law,
already precluded an attack upon the
independence OF the republic" gras
The remainder OF President Kruger's
reply may be summarized as follows;
The presiden. remarks that If a revision
OF the London convention. and super
seding 1t by a treaty of amity and COM
merce. containing the most favored ma.
tion clause, cannot be discussed unless
the alleged grievances are also dis
cussed the government prefers to leave
matters in status quo, and will limit Its
demands to an indemnity for the
Jameson raid.
In conclusion, President Kruger says
"Under existing circumstances. ths
South African republic will not at pres
ent press reconsideration Of the Lon.
don convention and a substitution for
1t of a treaty OF amity and commerce,
but viii rest satisfied with pecuniary
compensation and with the assurance
that no violation Of its territory will be
repeated"