The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-29
While Dallyilg With England HG Has
Been Making Alliances.
A VISIT TO ENGLAND IS IMPROBABLE
Unless Great Britain Recognizes, and With
other Powers Guarantees the Inde-
pendenco of the Transvaal-Wbat
England Would Have to Face.


Chamberlain 10 visit London for the
purpose of settling the questions that
have arisen between Great Britain and
the South African republic. In response
TO this demand President Kruger has
telegraphed that The decision does not
rest with him, but with the Volksraad,
the Parliament of the republic, and that
the latter Will only assent 10 his going
to London on condition that the Anglo
Boer Convention Of 1854 be so amended
that the full independence Of the Trans
vaal will be recognized and guaranteed
by Great Britain and the other powers.
Mr.. Chamberlain declined last night 10
tall the House Of Commons how the
negotiations stood at present. but within
| the ministerial circle the gravity Of the
| position IS known. 4 hiSn official has
| told the representative OF the United
| Press that Mr.. Chamberlain had, from
| tho outset OF the negotiations, distrusted
| President Kruger. and had not failed
| TO draw accurate conclusions from DIS
delayed acceptance OF Che invitation 10
visit England. Mr. Chamberlain stiii
hopes, however 20 obtain pac.nc set
| tlement OF the questions a. issue without
President Kruger coming here. and with.
| out acceding TO a revision OF the con-
vention.
KRUGER's ALLIANCES.
The ministers seem to be more sanguine
| than the facts warrant. they probably
| not desiring to alarm the country until
| the last resources Of diplomacy are eX-
| hausted. The Volksraad does not meet
| until April 4th President Kruger VIII
then have dallied over Mr. Chamber
| lain's invitation, which was sent early
| in February. for three months. during
which time he has formed an alliance
with the Orange Free State, prepared an
| Afrikander insurrsction in Cape Colony
| and reorganzed the forces OF the Trans
| vaal especially the artillery.
That the issue Of the negotiations would
be war has been contemplated by the
| British for some time. The fact was
| pointed out in this correspondence on
| February 18th last. at which time It was
| stated that the War Office, acting under
| instructions from the Government, had
prepared to send an army corps Of 20
| 900 men TO South Africa. OF this force
| It was intended that large contingent
| should be drawn from the Indian cavalry,
artillery and infantry. There Is reason
! 10 State that this project has not been
\ altered, but time has been on the side
| Of the Beers. The tact and energy OF
| President Kruger have made a successful
| invasion Of the Transvaal by 10000 Bri-
| tish troops almost impossible. 1t IS not
| the Transvaal alone that the British
| forces viii have to face, but the united
Dutch peoples Of the whole Of South
| Africa.
WOULD MEAN CIVIL WAR.
That strictly non-sensanonal paper. the
| Manchester Guardian. published yesterday
| authoritative letters from Cape Colony In
| which it was said that n war against the
! Transvaal would mean civil war.
| the British against the Dutch
facing each other from Pretoria 20
| Cape Town. The conquest Of the Dutch
would require as many troops as were
sent TO Crimea. II is known accurately
at the War-Oficc what the strength of the
| Boer forces alone are that are now ready
| TO take the field.
The reporter of the United Press learns
from an official source that within three
months $500 Germans are estimated 20
! have entered The Transvaal g immigrants
and these are known 10 be obtaining
Transvaal money. The force Of Zuus
trained and commanded by Boer and
| German officers is estimated 10 number
10000. Though their tribal fidelity 10 the
| Beers IS doubtful. they can be trusted
| 10 fight against the British.
Viewing the whole situation. including
the troubles IN Egypt and elsewhere, the
English people are not likely 10 approve
the gigantic task Of conquerlng the
Transvaal, yet they must face that or
the alternative Of declaration of inde-
pendence Of the Transvaal Orange Free
state. and probably. Cape Colony. which
would form the United States of South
Africa.
MATABELE UPRISING.
The rising OF the natives in Matabele-
land expected TO De only a momentary
difficulty. All Of the Matabeles includ-
ing the women. number only 10000. The
men were supposed 10 have been dis
armed after the defeat Of their king. I.o-
bengula. by the forces Of the British
South African Company. but Il is sus-
pected now that they hid their weapous
instead Of turning them over TO the com
pany's officers. Though the country is
denuded Of regular troops. ana the forces
Of the chartered company are disOrganlzea
owing 10 the recent raid into the Trans
Vaal, which resulted in most OF the COM
lanys officers being placed on trial IN
London, q volunteer force, armed with
Lee-Metford rifles and also a force OF
1000 volunteer cavalry, are near the re-
gion where the rising occurred. Bulu-
wayo. the principal town Of Matabelcland,
Is protected by q number OF Maxim guns
and few guns Of heavier cdlibre. There
is plenty Of ammunition IN the town
Though a massacre OF settlers and miners
is feared, the rising viii undoubtedly be
quelled without an engagement sufficient
ly serious 10 be called hattie.
The most serious news yet received from
Rhodesia is that which came TO hand
this evening. saying that the native pO-
lice had Joined the rising. The main
anxiety OF the authorities here was CEN
tired in the conduct Of this force. Though
it is only $50 strong 1t viii be powerful
factor in spreading the revolt. The ma
tlves who served as police were recruited
from the crack regiments OF the old Mata-
belle kingdom. They are well trained,
well-armed. and command a copious sup
ply of ammunition. Altogether the out
look is In no wise as favorable as it was,
Yesterday for the putting down OF the
revolt. The Globe, commenting this af-
ternoon on the subject says that the fever
of revolt is likely TO spread to the tribes
beyond Matabeleland, including the Zulus;
who. IL was supposed, would fight with
the Beers in the event of hOstilities with
tho British.
BRITISH CONFUSION.
Inquiries made at tho War Office as
10 the strength OF the British troops
within the range OF the revolt only re-
suited in making evident the official con-
fusion on the subject. Two companies
Of the Black Watch Regiment are sta
toned at Mafeking on the Transvaal
border. and these are the only troops
who are known with certainty TO be i'm
RhOdesla. The War Office hopes that
Sir Hercules Robinson. Governor OF Cape
Colony and High Commissioner I'm South
Africa. has strengthened the troops in
Rhodesia recently. but there are no Of
fetal advices TO that eject The truth
ieoms 10 be that Governor Robinson
has not sent any troops into that country.
To-day's advices confirm the import
ance OF the Dutch agitation for the In.