Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-05

ceive any promise that Germany would
actively support the Beers. but was M
formed that Germany would not IN
terfere further than to urge Great
Britain to maintain the status quo.
As this IL all that Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN
demands, with the important proviso
that the Transvaal accepts Mr. Cnam-
berlain's Interpretation OF British rights
under the status quo. some signs OF
yielding on the part OF President kru-
ger mleht be expected. II the latter
eventually comes to London. abandons
his demand for revision Of the Anglo
Boer convention OF 1854, so that the
Transvaal will be completely indepcnd-
ent OF Great Britain. independence guar
anteed by the Powers. and accepts Mr:
Chamberlain's proposals as the basis OF
the conference Il VIII be the greatest
triumph for Mr.. Chamberlain's policy
and tact. This condition Of affairs pre-
s,,pposes a complete abandonment OF the
Boer demands, hardly possible contin-
gency. 1t is, however, becoming nn-
deniable that Mr.. Chamberiain's per-
sistent strength and dominating person.
atty are both felt and disliked by the
Conservative section OF the ministerial
lists.
From this quarter comes report that
the Cabinet has refused TO assent to his
proposal to send 1000 troops 10 Cape
Colony as expeditlously as possible. The
Cabinet at first agreed to send 5000 men,
and reversed Its decision.
PLAYING A STRONG GAME.
whatever the upshot may be OF the
negotiations between President Kruger
and Mr. Chamberlain, the latter Is play
ing a strong and daring hand, and IT is
stated that he has the Cabinet pledged
to war on a great scale as a last re-
source.
A dispatch from Pretoria on Thursday
last referred TO their threatened civil war
in South Africa, in which the United
Dutch peoples would be arrayed against
the British, and said 1t was doubtful
whether important assistance would be
rendered the Beers by the Dutch OF Cape
Colony. Most OF the latter, In the event
OF war, would remain neutral. fearing
that their property would be confiscated
should they help the Beers.
An analysis OF the education bill as II
is now issued. justifies the criticism OF
the Liberals that IL is a revolutionary
measure, destroying the national system
that was founded in 1870. The bill Will
absorb the whole time OF the session,
causing the Irish land bill TO be proposed.
As number of the Liberal-Unionists. in
addition to the Liberals, are certain TO
oppose the bill, the government will rely
upon solid Conservative vote backed by
the Irish vote, to pass IL.
The Speaker dsnounces the measure as
the most mischlevous and Ubiquitous that
was ever submitted by any government
TO Parliament. IL takes the money OF
rate-payers. OF all denominations, and
nuts II into the pockets Of the clergy OF
particular sects. In an interview Cardi-
nal Vaughan said he thought the measure
contained some measure Of justice for
Catholics. but was not at all right
1t IL said that DR. Walker. president Of
the Wesleyan Conference. will convene
committee on the subject. The Non-con-
formists everywhere are seething with in
dignation at the sectarian character OF
the governments proposals. In London
the radical federation will organize
mass demonstration in Hyde Park against
the bill. All opposition will be futile. how
ever, as the government has secure ma
jorty.