The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-13
And Concludes with the OminOus
Warning that the Proposition Must
BE Accepted without Delay.
IF THE PLAN BE REJECTED
HER MAJESTY's GOVERNMENT WILL
BRING ABOUT A SETTLEMENT.
Situation Said to BE Acute, but 1t Is
Believed the Transvaal Will Final
Iy Grant the Demands.

LONDON, Sept. ia special dispatch
from Pretoria says the British note which
was read in both Raads yesterday Cues
day. is regarded there as virtual ulti-
matum. The correspondent says: 1t pro-
poses a five-year franchise, a quarter repre-
sentation for the gold fields in the Volks-
raad and equality for the old and new
burghers in regard to presidential and other
elections. If these conditions are accepted
a conference between representatives of the
two governments shall follow for the pur-
pose Of drafting the necessary measures and
of avoiding the introduction of unnecessary
conditions by the Transvaal government or
the possibility of the passage of any new
bills calculated to defeat the reforms. In
view of the fact, the note goes on to say.
that the present state Of affairs In South
Africa cannot be prolonged the definite ac-
ceptance Of this proposal is demanded with
out delay. Otherwise her Majesty's govern
ment will Immediately take the whole situa-
ton under reconsideration and will act so
as to bring about settlement. The situa-
ton is acute.
1.-The reading of Mr.. Chamberiain's note
in the Rad was greeted with silence, ex-
cept for some interruptions from Mr.. Tosen
and other ultra-conservative members Its
terms, however, have produced considerable
excitement here. There is no iniication as
yet Of the views held regarding 1t in official
circles.
1.-The Volksraad has instructed the govern
ment to dismiss Mr.. De Jonge secretary of
education, for writing a. letter to the news
papers accusing the ministers Of the United
Dutch Church Of jingoism because they
wanted more English education in the state
schools. P. G.. w. Grobler, the foreign Sec
rotary, has gone to Bloemfontein on official
business.
A dispatch from Bloemfontein, Orange
Free State, says: 1.-THE Daily Friend says
it has excellent authority for predicting
that the government Of the South African
Republic will accept the suggested confer
ence at Cape Town. The delegates will
probably be Commandant General Joubert
Vice President Of the Transvaal; j. NJ A.
Wolmarand, one Of the two nonofficial
members of the Transvaal Executive Coun-
Gil, and Mr.. Fischer, who has figured prom
inently in the recent negotiations as the
special representative of the Orange Free
State"
Various unofficial reports have been re-
ceived at Cape Town from Pretoria pre-
dieting the Transvaals acceptance of the
terms Of the latest Dispatch which is un-
derstood to furnish basis for negotiations
which will possibly lead to peaceful set
Element.
Owing to the understanding that Mr.
Chamberlain's note is to be published stimuli
taneously in London and Pretoria, only an
inadequate summary has set been tele-
graphed. The London papers inclined
to withhold comment until the text is
available. Despite the fact that the note
is described as an ultimatum, the balance of
opinion tends to regard it as a rather mod
crate document. since, apparently, it does
not fix definite time limit, leaves the real
crux of the dispute for the proposed confer
ence, and does not raise the question of
suzerainty. In word, the note seems to
leave the way open to further negotiations.
The Times, which considers the summary
obviously important, says: "It is incredible
that all mention Of suzerainty and other
matters in controversy have been passed
over or ignored
A special dispatch from Pietermaritzburg.
capital of Natal, says: President kruger,
ii is asserted in reliable quarters, is pre-
pared to attend the proposed conference at
Cape Town Internationally, provided he is
assured that Mr.. Chamberlain's latest dis
patch represents all that will be demanded
by Great Britain. A peaceful solution. there
| FORE is highly probable.