The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-02-08
THE TRANSVAAL AFFAIR
Chamberlain's Statement Regard
ing the Uprising.
KRUGER INVITED TO ENGLAND

Tho British Colonial Secretary Asks tho
Transvaal Leader to Conference for the
Discussion of Needed Reforms-The Trial
of the Conspirators.
LONDON, Feb. S.-The dispatch Of the
secretary Of state for the colonies, Mr.
Joseph Chamberlain, of Feb a. to the gov
ernor of Cape Colony, Sir Hercules Robin
son. was gazetted last evening 1t reviews
the history Of events in the Transvaal since
1891, and points out that the mining inter
ests, the mainstay of the country, are
mainly in the hands Of the Uitlanders
who are debarred by legislation from the
rights of citizenship, and states that the
whole direction of affairs and the right of
taxation remain a monopoly in the hands
of decreasing minority of the population
engaged in agriculture, whilst the major
ity, who raised the revenue from R75, 900
to 92, ,000,000 are denied any voice in the
government of the Transvaal, and are un-
able to obtain redress for the formidable
grievances hampering and injuring them
incessantly.
Mr.. Chamberlain emphasizes the pacific
and above board character of the Uitlander
agitation and recalls that the Ultlanders'
petitions were rejected by the volksrand
amid scornful laughter, one member of
that body challenging the Uitlanders to
take up arms and fight.
The massing of the Bechuanaland police
at Mefeking did not cause anxiety, as 1t
was understood to be merely a rendezvous
prior to disbanding. When 1t was sug
gested ON the Goth of December, that the
Chartered company's police might inter
vene at johannesburg it appeared incred-
! ht1tA I,ot.1 1ai,
ing to Governor Robinson instructing
him TO warn Mr.. Cecil Rhodes, the prem
Ter of Cape Colony, of the consequences.
Unfortunately, DR. Jameson had already
entered the Transvaal.
The document then reviews the subse-
quent events until Governor Robinson re-
turned to Capetown, mentioning that
President Kruger refused Governor Rob
inson definite assurances that reforms
would be granted the Uitlanders, owing
to the suspicion that there was a wide
spread conspiracy to overthrow the CON
: stitution, which Mr.. Chamberlain did not
regard as an adequate reason.
He then proceeds to state the position of
Great Britain and her claims towards the
, Transvaal, saying;
"Since the convention of 1884 Greet
Britain has recognized the Transvaal as
independent internally, but it's external
relations are subject to the control of
Great BritaiR There Is no reason to an
ticipate that a foreign state will dispute
our rights, but it is necessary to state
clearly that the government intends to
maintain them in their integrity Inter
nally Great Britain is justified, in the in
terests of South Africa as whole and for
the peace and stability of Transvaal to
tender friendly counsels regarding the new
comers, mainly British subjects"
The dispatch then deals at length with
the grievances Of the Rand, and expresses
Il Mr.. Chamberlain's belief that the diff
~ Guilty of naturalization and the franchise
IS could be met by granting the franchise
S after five years residence and the removal
: of the Objectionable features of the oath of
allegiance, which would effectuslly de-
prive the citizen of his status as British
subject.
Mr.. Chamberlain then suggests the con-
sideration of the other grievances, taxa
tion, education and monopolies, and es-
pecially the exclusion Of Uitlanders from
the police, and proposes that the Rand be
accorded modified local autonomy, in
cluding control of its own taxation, sub.
ject to theepayment to the government OF
an annual sliding tribute based on the
fluctuatioE 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 superior law
court, and that the Randers be not enti-
tied to a voice in the volksrand executive
or in the presidents election, thus reliev-
ing the burghers of their haunting fear
that the newcomers would utilize the
franchise to upset their form of govern
ment
The dispatch concludes:
"rhese suggestions are not offered in
degradation of the presidents authority,
but as a sincere and friendly contribution
y of her majesty's government to the settle
ment of question which continues to
threaten the quietude of the republic and
the welfare and progress of South Africa. -
AS the settlement involves so many de
tails which are easier settled by personal
conference, Mr. Chamberlain suggests to
President Kruger that, if it is convenient
and agreeable to him, he should come tC
- England.
An editorial in The Times says: "WC
are enabled to make the important an
nouncement that arrangements concern
y ing the affairs of the Chartered Souti
. Africa company have been Professionally
settled Hon. Cecil Rhodes will return
Immediately and take up his residence IL
Rhodesia. Recent sensational incidents
have not been allowed by either Mr.. Rhodes
- or Mr.. Chamberlain to obscure the funda
mental problem which imperial states
manship has tosolve in South Africa. Th'
:, historical summary in Mr.. Chamberlain
dispatch makes it tolerably clear that thu
general views of the government do no
depend upon the elucidation of such poinU
as DIR. Jamesons trial may be expected t.
clear up"
Bound Brooks Fire and Flood.
- SoMERvILLE, N. j., Feb S.-The fir
which broke out at Bound Brook Thursda