The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-28
England Not to Insist on Presi-
dent Kruger's Visit.
0eFEAT FoR cHAMsERLAln.
He Makes the Best Of the Beers Flat
Refusal Of the Invitation.


Lc1don. April zz.-'fhe cahine: held Q
meeting this morning 20 consider the terms
Of the reply Of President Kruger to ths sn-
vitafion OF Secretary Of State for the Csi-
onies Joseph Chamberlain 10 visit England.
As the result os discussion which followed
Chamberlain made . statement IN the
house Of commons this afternoon He said
President Kruger's reply 10 the question
must be considered IN connection with the
communication which preceded IT The
most important point 10 that the president
says, referring 10 the request for q deii-
mite reply to the invitation that he feels
confident the secretary OF state for the
colonies will recognize and appreciate the
dificuity of his position. and that IL appears
TO him wiser not TO push the question OF
his proceeding to England any further at
present, especially in view Of the coming
session Of the vciksraad and the desirable
ity Of his presence. Under the circum-
stances. continued Chamberlain. the gov
ernment was reluctantly withdrawing ifs
invitation. and would have Ssr Hercules
Robinson. governor Of Caoe Colony. send
Sir Graham Bower, imperial secretary at
Cape Town. 20 England to receive instruc-
tions regarding further negotiations. In
conclusion Chamberlain sad the govern
ment hoped TO lay the correspondence on
the subject on the table in the courIe Of .
week.
The Daily Telegraph says in an editorial:
TT win not make any difference whether
President Kruger comes or not II is the
Beers loss. not ours President Kruger
knows that the real effect Of the Transvaal
trouble VII be to make sooner or later .
British South African empire. having no
more contented and prosperous subjects
than the Duicn."
The Times. commenting In an editorial
Mr. KrarRersR ar.v
England also can leave matters as they
are. including the indemnity. which must
be claimed. IL ct all, from the Chartered
South African Company.
Mr.. Chamberiaia's statement In the
house OF commons on the South African
situation is really ambiguous. and some
doubt is felt as to what action on the
part OF the government he intended to
announce. 1t Is generally interpreted as
meaning that Gov. Sir Hercules Robinson
win come TO London on the arrival Of Sir
Graham Bower at the Cape. Sir Graham
Bower has Just left London for the Cape.
The Daily News says: "Mr. Chamber
lain's announcement shows that he is be-
ing fairly beaten in his policy OF inducing
President Kruger 10 come over and ar
range a big deal. Mr.. Chamberlain now
intends to drop the business. and let
things simmer awhile. The summoning OF
q colonial governor TO London Is an un-
usual step, and Il 10 decidedly interesting
in this case, - IT II an open secret that
there Is q considerable divergence OF opin-
Ion between Mr.. Chamberlain and Sir
Hercules Robinson
Pretoria. April ss.-President Krugers
reply to Mr. Chamberlain VIII be published
shortly. II is diplomatic masterpiece. and
the contents are as follows: The Trans
yaaal government objects 10 the discussion
of reforms on the ground that England ad-
mittedly cannot interfere with internal
affairs At the same time private sugges-
tons from the British government VIII all
ways receive consideration. II the revision
Of the London convention and the super
seding OF il by a treaty OF am!ty and COM
merce containing 4 most favored nation
clause cannot be discussed unless the al
legged grievances of the Uitlsnders are also
discussed, the Transvaal government pre-
fers 10 leave matters In statu quo an1 VIII
limit its demands 70 an indemnity for the
Jameson raid The president points to the
necessity of his presence al the meeting or
the volksraad as an objection 20 his visit
ing England, and suggests that matters
should no. be pressed now. England can.
however. he says still facilitate the visit
by accepting the basis Of discussion which
the president has already proposed. He
frankly admits that his administration IL
not perfect and that the government is not
always In the right. but takes objection 10
the offer OF guarantee against foreign at
tack This was never asked. he says, and
article of the convention was authority
for that purpose. HE emphasizes the view
that with patience and forbearance both
sides 70 the difficulty may yet be overcome.
He expresses the hope that the wounded
feelings will be healed and friendly rela-
tiohs restored.
II il reported that an arrangement has
been arrived at by which the rank and file
OF the reform committee will PAY nomi-
nal fine. The leaders viii receive a severe
penalty. but it VIII not go beyond heavy
fine and term In prison.
London, April 27.-Nunerous persons
and members of the house of commons
have formed a South African Association
for the purpose OF offering support TO Mr..
Chamberlain's South African plans.