St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-08
MITs A REVIEW OF RECENT
TRANsvAAL EVENTS,
AND PROPOSES A REMEDY.
GREAT BRITAIN RECOGNIZES THE
INTERNAL INDEPENDENCE OF
THE REPUBLIC,
BUT NO FURTHER WILL SHE GO.
Claim That External Relations Are
Entirely Subject to the Con-
troll of Great Britain.

LONDON. Feb. THE dispatch of
the secretary of state for the colonies,
Joseph Chamberlain, of Feb. T. to the
governor of Cape Colony, Sir Hercules
Robinson, was gazetted this evening.
1t reviews the history Of events in the
Transvaal since 1891, and points out
that the mining interests, the MAIN
stay of the country, are mainly in the
hands of the Ultlanders, who are de-
barred 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 a decreasing minority of the
population engaged IN agriculture,
whilst the majority who raised the
revenue from $4,000 to f2,000000 are
denied any voice in the government Of
the Transvaal and are unable to OBJ
tain redress for the formidable griev-
ances hampering and injuring them in
cessantly. Mr.. Chamberlain emphasizes
the pacific and above board character
of the Uitlander agitation, and recalls
that the Uitlanders' petitions were re-
jected by the volksraad amid scornfuI
laughter. one member of that body
challenging the Uitlanders to take up
arms and fight.
The massing of the Bechuanaland po-
lice at Mefeking did not cause anxiety
as It was understood to be merely a
rendezvous prior to disbanding When
1t was suggested that the Chartered
company's police might intervene at
johannesburg 1t appeared incredible,
but Mr.. Chamberlain wired a warning
to Gov. Robinson, instructlng him td
warn Cecil Rhodes, the premier of Cape
Colony, of the consequences Unfort@
unately, DR.. Jameson had already en-
tered the Transvaal.
He then proceeds to state the position
of Great Britain and her claims toward
the Transvaal, saying:
Since the convention of 1894 Great
Britain has recognized the Trsnsvaal
as independent internally; but its ex-
ternal relationa are subject TO the con-
| troll of Great Britain. There Is no rea-
son to anticipate that foreign state
will dispute out rights; but it is
necessary to state clearly that the
government intends to maintain them
in their integrity"
The dispatch deals at length with
the grievances of the Rand and ex-
presses Mr.. Chamberlain's belief that
the difficulty of naturalization and the
franchise could be met by granting
the franchise after five years residence
and the removal of the Objectionable
features of the oath of allegiance
which still would effectually deprive
the Gather Of his status as n British
subject. Mr.. Chamberlain then sug-
gests the consideration OF the other
grievances, taxation. education and
monopolies, and especially the exclu-
sion OF Uitlanders from the police, and
proposes that the Rand be accorded
modified local autonomy, including con-
troll Of its own taxation subject to the
payment to the government of annual,
and sliding tribute, based on the fiuctu-l
ations 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 entitled to a voice in the Vollksraad'
executive or in the presidents election,
thus relieving the Burghers Of their
haunting fear that the newcomers
would utilize the franchise to upset
their form Of government.
AS the settlement involves so many
details which are easier settled by a.
personal conference Mr. Chamberlain
suggests to President Kruger that, If 1t
is convenient and agreeable to him.
he should come to England.