The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-08
UITLANDERS.
Defended In en- official Statement
From Joseph Chamberlain.
TRANSyAAL'S EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Are Subject to the Control Of
Great Britain.

49, 49, ~ - -
ernor Of Cape Colony, Sir Hercules Robin
son, was gazettei last evening.
1t reviews the history of events In tho
Transvaal since 1891, and points out that
the mining interests. the mainstay of tho
country. are iaainly In the hands OF the
Uitlandcrs. who are dobarred by legisla-
ton from the rights OF citizenship, and
states that the whole direction OF affairs
and the right OF taxation remain IA monop-
oily in the hands CT u decreasing minority
Of the population engaged in agriculture,
whilst the majority, who raised the reve-
nue. from $4,000 TO $4,000, 900, arc denied
M voice in the government of the Trans
vaa and are unable 10 obtain redress for
the formidable grievances hampering and
iniuring them necessarily.
Mr.. Chamberlain emphasizes the pacific
and nboyc-board character of the Uit-
lander agitation. and recalls that the Uit-
landers' positions were rejected by the
volksraad amid s~cornful laughter, one
member Of that body challenging the Uit-
landers TO take up arms and fight.
h massing OF the B~cchuanaland police
at Mafcking did not cause anxiety. as 1t
was understood 10 he merely n rendezvous
prior to ~disbanding. When IL was sug-
gested on Dec. 90 that the Chartered COM
pany's police might intervene mt Johannes
burg IL appeared Incredible; but Mr..
Chamberlain wired "A warning to Gov
ernor Robinson instructipg him TO warn
Cecil Rhodes, the premier OF Cape Colony,
of the consequences. Unfortunately, DIR.
Jameson had already entered the Trans
wal.
The document then reviews the subse-
qucnt events until Governor Robinson re-
turned 10 Cape Town, mentioning that
President Kruger refused Governor Rob-
inson definite assurance that reforms
would be granted the Uitlanders, owing
TO the suspicion that there was a wide
spread conspiracy TO overthrow the con-
stitution-which Dir. Chamberlain did
not regard rs an adequate reason.
England's Position Defined.
He then proceeds TO state the position Of
Great Britain and her claims towagd the
Transvnal, saying: "Since the conven-
ton of 1884 Great Britain has recognized
the Transvaal - independent internally,
but it's external relations are subject To
the control OF Great Britain. There is no
reason to anticipate hat IA foreign state
will dispute our rights, but it is necessary
to state clearly that the government In
CllA y " NiHNfNt III nv q
Internally, Great Britain is justified in
the interests OF South Africa rs "A whole.
aud for the pence and stability OF the
Transyaal, to-tcnder friendly counsels re-
garding the newcomers, mainly British
subjects"
The dispatch then deals at length with
the grievances of the Rand, and expresses
Mr.. Chamberlain's belief that difficulty OF
naturalization and the franchise could he
met by granting the franchise after five
years residence and the removal of thu
Objectionable features OF the oath Of al.
legiance, which still would effectually de-
prive the person OF his status rs a British
subject.
Mr.. Chamberlain then suggests the con-
sidcratiOn OF the other grievances, taxa
ton, education aud monopolics, and es-
pecially the exclusion OF UitlanGers from
the police, and proposes that the Rand DE
accorded modified local autonomy, includ-
ing control OF It's own taxation, subject TO
the payment To the government OF annum,
sliding tribute, based on the fluctuations
of the mining industry, such legislation
To be subject TO the veto OF the president
and executive.
Mr.. Chamberlain further suggests that
the Rand also be given "a superior law
court, and that the Randers be not en-.
titled To n voice in the volksraad executive
or in the presidents election, thus rcliev-
ing the burghers Of their haunting fear
that the newcomers would utilize the
franchise to upset their form oil govern
ment.
The dispatch concludes: "These sug-
g~estions are not offered in degradation of
the presidents authority, but rs u sincere
and friendly contribution OF her majesty's
government TO the settlement of "a qucs-
ton which continues To threaten the
quietudc OF the republic and the welfare
and progress of south Africa"
AS the settlement involves so many de-
tails which arc easier settled by a per-
sonal conference, Mr.. Chamberlain sug.
gcsts TO President Kruger that, If it is
convenient and agreeable to him, he
should come TO England.