The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-22

utmost short Of sacrificing independence.
10 avert the horrors of war While agree
ing that the ioint inquiry proposed By Mr..
chamberlain cannot be asked as "A matter
OF riahf we believe such commission
will provide a way out of the difficulties
which are fast approaching "a crisis with
results which might prove fatal not only
10 tho Transvaal and our Free State
brethren but also 10 the Afrikander party
of Cape Colony Tn the presence Of imme-
diate danger and the m0mentous issues
awaiting the decision or your Honor the
Executive and the Noiksraad. even tho
risk OF being misunderstood. is OF minor
importance. We beg Your Honor 60 las
these words. only dictated by a koen sense
of our common interests and risks. pri-
yatelv before the Executive and Noiks-
raad."
no this message. which was signed by
Gftvthroe members 0f Parliament. Presi-
dent Kruger made the following reply.
eI wish YOU and other sympathlzcrs will
notice as YOU have doubtless already seen
by tho reply ~ Co., Imperial Government
that we have. according 90 your desire.
considered the matter end accepted the
invitation to the joint commission Why
the acceptance Was delayed is shown by
thc despatch published B wish 10 thank
my heart. for the manner in which you
have aided our efforts for pacific and
satisfactory solution. Finally. j cXpr' So
the hone that your work and ours will not
be- lrultcss.'
The meeting also adopted "a resolution
10 the effect tlat 30 had heard with sat S.
faction that the Executive 0f Che Trans
vaaI had acccped the invitation Of joint
inquiry and trusted the acceptance would
render an outbreak OF h0stiiitios pracu-
caliy impossible
FIRE. STATE WILL HELP.
BLOEMFONrElN. ORANGE FREE
STATE. Sept. Z.-The N0'ksraad met to-
day with 20 FUN attendlnce President
steyn read carefully prepared speech
AFTER welcoming the B1rghers Dr. ex-
pressed regret that The rel1t0ns between
Great Britain ard the Transraal had be-
como strained Tho members. Do said. were
aware ot the meeting 0f Sir Alfred Afincr
and Pre- Idprt Kruger ar Bioemf0uto.n.
when President kruecr made proposals
which. although refused by the British
High Commi sl0ner. We're unanimously
considered throughout The Orange FREQ
State t0 be- exec DINGHY iair
Proceeding 20 review thc negotiations
president stcyu said the Transvaa bad
been decoved by the British diplomatic
agent at Pretoria. C0nyugham Greene. aut
ne practically accused The Imperial gov-
ornment OF lraach ot flilh Tie ea.l
De was dis.nclined to advise The Trans
taal government to accept The latest Brit
ish dcmaude THE present critical state
Of affairs could not be matter of I'M
Hnerrnce 10 the Orange Froe state which
was bound by treaty to afford assistance
20 The Transvaal and he had. therefore.
convened the Volksraad t0 decide what
attitude should le taken.
There is nothing declared the Pres
ident "that warrants war Or an attack
upon the Transvaal Such differences as
exist can bo solved by arbitration. War
would Doe an Insult t0 religion and civll-
cation"
In conclusion President Steyn said he
would take thi- opportunity of laying GER
Tain draft Jaws before tho No.ksrad for
consideration. praying God to 4iFe 'he
members strength to pass resolutions not
only conducive to peace and prosperity
but also in the interested of their beloved
State.
Immediately after The speech President
STEM asked the V0.ksraad 60 go into
secret session, which was agreed u
unanimously.