The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-10
TO Be SETTLEDBY
A COMMISSION
Great Britain Asked to Name
the Place.
THE JOINT COMMISSION
THE TRANSV SAYS DEFINE
IT'S CONSTITUTION.
so DECLARES SECRETARY F. W. REITz
The Joint Commission VIII Discuss TECHNICAL
Ties. Meanwhile Dispatches Chron-
icle the Movements of Troops
and War Pranarations
and War Preparations.


and War Preparations.
Pretoria, Sept 9.The News today
prints an official statement from f. w.
Reitz, Secretary of State for the South
African Republic, in which Mr.. Reitz
says:
1.-THE Government considers that three
courses are disclosed by the commumica-
lions of Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, the
British Secretary of State for the Col
onies. The first is joint commission
of inquiry; the second is a commission
of delegates from both Governments to
discuss technicalities, and the third is 4
conference at Cape Town"
Secretary Reitz adds that the Trans
yaal Government now agrees to the sec
ond proposition, and invites Great Brit
ain to define the constitution of the COM
mission suggested and the place of meet
ing.
In the course of an interview today
State Attorney SHUTS said that the
Transyaal having withdrawn its offer
of a FIVE years franchise, the condition
thereto attached, namely the relinquish-
ment of suzerainty, also falls to the
ground. He understands the Trans
walls last dispatch as an acceptance of
the proposal for joint commission of
inquiry.
The Transvaal, he said, is anxious to
terminate the tension existing because
trade is stagnant and the country is be-
ing ruined. Hence the Transyaal has a
greater interest than has the British
Government in bringing about a settle
ment. He declared that he fully believ-
ed the British Government desired a
peaceful solution of the difficulty, and
expressed the opinion that the Trans
walls last dispatch would further that
end.
MOVEMENTS OF TROOPS.
London, Sept 9.--The Northampton
Fusileers will embark next Saturday for
Cape Colony, leaving from Southamp-
ton.
me First Royal Sussex regiment has
been ordered to be ready to embark
within three days.
An infantry brigade, with division
of field artillery from Aldershof, with
:. guns has been ordered to leave for
the Cape in 10 days.
This movement of troops is said to be
merely in line with the decisions of the
Cabinet Council to send 10000 soldiers
TO South AFRICA in addition to the Natal
force, already 5000 men. of which rein
forcements 5000 men will be sent from
India and 900 from England. battalion
of the Northampton regiment, which viii
sail Immediately ships are ready and the
remainder from the Mediterranean sta
tons.
READY TO EMBARK.
Malta Sept 9.-The First Battalion of
the border regiment, stationed here. has
been ordered to hold itself in readiness
to embark for Cape Colony.
MEN WHO DESIRE PEACE.
Plymounth, England, Sept AT the
closing session of the Trades Union Con-
gress, which has been i'm convention here,
resolution was passed urging the Coy
ernment to use every possible effort ~
peacefully settle the Transvaal difficulty
AMMUNITION ARRIVES.
Lourenzo Marques, Delago Bay, Sept.
9.-The French steamer Santa Fee which
sailed from Havre July 2Jth for MAZDA
gascar via Dakar, August 10th, has ar
rived here with 63 cases of ammunitiun
for the Transyaal Government.
SUZERAINTY THE ISSUE.
London, Sept 9.-The actual status of
the Transvaal crisis appears to be ,n-
changed. In spite of all the clamor and
excitement raised by the rualnors preced-
ing the Cabinet council, Great Britain's
Ministers apparently have done nothing
more than strengthen the hands Of
Joseph Chamberlain, the Secretary of
State for the Colonies, thereby confirm
ing the progostications of the most con-
seryatlye element as already quoted in
these dispatches. AS far as the inter-
national relations are concerned war is
no nearer now than it was week ago.
though the friction in South Africa it
self is keener and more likely to pro-
duce conflict.
Putting aside the countless diplomatic
intricacies that have arisen during the
week, suzerainty remains the main issue
President Kruger, of the Transvaal Re
public has cracked the NUT and found
suzerainty its kernel Ii he refuses to
swallow it, then there will be war
There is no doubt that Mr.. Chamberlain
cal measures than they did. Ii the gen
eral understanding of their action is
well founded, they have only counter
anced still further, delay, specifying a
day when such delay must end.
For weeks Mr.. Chamberlain has been
telling President Kruger that Great
Britain could stand no further parleying
about suzerafnty, and innimaling by
speeches, that the day and even the mo-
ment had almost arrived when Great
Britain's patience would be exhausted.
Hence this Cabinet exhibition of pro-
longed British patience has tended to
create a more pacific feeling, but which,
after all, is probably only a general real
ization that unless the Beers take the
initiative we shall have to wait for some
time before the crisis comes to a head.
A man imagines he has perfect control
A. q a.