Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-09-28


result of the secret session of the raad
of the Orange Free State is not vet
known here. President Steyne's speech
at the opening of the session is regard
ed as ali almost fnfallible indication of
the attitude which the Free State will
take. Commenting from this point of
view. the London morning papers are
all impressed with the added gravity
Of the situation and murmurs are be-
ginning to be heard regarding the dila-
toriness of the government in getting
troops forward. Military men are said
to be impatient. They assert that
everything there is ready and that
they are only waiting for orders.
1t is recognized that the attitude Of
the Orange Free State makes the origi-
nal estimates entirely too small. A
much larger force will be required.
The government is faced with some
thing like a dilemma. The leader of
the opposition has publicly denounced
the precipitancy Of the colonial office
in forcing on actual war. Therefore
ministers are disinclined to convoke
parliament. If. on the other hand, SO
large an expenditure as the apparent
attitude of the Orange Free State
would involve should become neces-
sary the government would be obliged
to summon parliament in order to get
adequate supplies. 1t is understood
that the money situation accounts for
the dribbling manner in which the
troops are being forwarded. German
military experts. realizing the serious
ness of the campaign before Great
Britain. are commenting with astonish-
ment upon the fact that England is so
behindhand in her preparations. In
Berlin it is also believed that DIR.
Leyds is acting as President Kruger's
evil genius and misleading him by re-
ports that he is likely to get sympathy,
if not assistance from some of the Eu-
ropean powers.
No member of the Cape cabinet was
present at the meeting Of the Afri-
kander members of the Cape parlia-
ment yesterday.
A dispatch from Pretoria announces
that arms continue to be served to the
burgherS.
Bloemfontein. Sept. 23.-The volks-
rad met yesterday with Il full attend
ance. President Steyne read a care
fully prepared speech. After vel
coming the burghers he expressed re-
greet that the relations between Great
Britain and the Transvaal had become
strained. The members. he said, were
aware of the meeting of Sir Alfred Mil
ner and President Kruger at Bloemfon-
tein. when President Kruger made pro-
posals, which, although refused by the
British high commissioner. were unani-
mously considered throughout the Or
ange Free State to be exceedingly fair.
Proceeding to review the negotia-
tons. President Steyne said the Trans
vaal had been decoyed by the British
diplomatic agent at Pretoria, Conyng
ham Green, and he practically ac-
cused the imperial government of
breach of faith. He said he was dis
inclined to advise the Transvaal gov
eminent to accept the latest British de-
mands. The present critical state of
affairs could not be Il matter of indif-
ference to the Orange Free State.
which was bound by treaty to afford
assistance to the Transvaal, and he
had. therefore, convened the volksraad
to decide what attitude should be
taken.
''There is nothing" declared the
president. that warrants war or an
attack on the Transvaal. Such differ
ences as exist can be solved by arbitra-
ton. War would be an insult to reli-
gion and civilization
In conclusion President Steyne said
he would take this opportunity of lay
ing certain draft laws before the volks-
raad for consideration. praying God to
give the members strength to pass
resolutions not only conducive to peace
and prosperity, but also in the interests
of their beloved state.