Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-09-18
ON The BRINK OF .NAR|
Strained Situation Over the Trans.
vaal Crisis Remains Unchanged
Today--Kruger's Reply.
It Was Made Public in London This
Afternoon Courteous But
Unyielding.
Hostilities May Be Delayed Unless
the Beers Take Offensive
Stocks Decline.

0VOOA0 O0Cllu0,
London, Sept. 1S.-The Transyaal sit
uation today remains practically un-
changed. The general apprehension in
regard to the outcome was reflected by
a decline of consols and stocks on ex-
change, where, although all stocks con-
tinued depressed, there was not the
slightest approach to excitement.
The text of Krugers reply was is
sued by the secretary of state for the
colonies this afternoon, but it adds
nothing of Importance to the summary
already cabled the Associated Press.
The language in many places is taken
to indicate firm, unyielding position.
The reply, however, concludes:
If her majesty's government is will
ing and feels able to make this decision.
1t would put an end to the present
strained tension, race hatred would de-
crease and die out, prosperity and the
welfare of the whole of South Africa be
developed and furthered, and fraterni-
zation between the different nationals
ties increased
The second edition of the Times con-
tains dispatch from Johannesburg
which says: There is, am informed.
some early coup in contemplation. The
quantities of compressed forage for
warded in the direction of the Natal
TO a..
OF troops in that quarter. The govern
ment is buying horses freely today"
The evening papers all indicate the
seriousness of the crisis but the ST.
James Gazette says:
1T need not be imagined that any
thing will be done on our side in a
hurry. The cabinet has first to recon
slider and secondly to formulate fresh
proposals. OF course it is quite posi-
BILE the Beers may begin hostilities, in
which case our troops will have to de-
fend British territory. But unless the
Beers take the offensive. the negotia-
tions will be prolonged until the rein
forcements now en- route reach South
Africa"
Pretoria. Sept. 1S.-The reply of the
government of the South African repub.
lie to the latest dispatch, dated Sept. 12
of the British secretary of state for the
colonies, Joseph Chamberlain. after ac-
knowledging the receipt Of the British
note. proceeds in part as follows:
The government deeply regrets the
withdrawal, as the government under
stands it, of the invitation contained in
the British dispatch of Aug. %, and the
substitution in place thereof of an en-
tirely new proposal.
The proposals now fallen through
contained in the Transvaal dispatches
of Aug. 19 and Aug. 81. We're elicitec
from this government by suggestions
made by the British diplomatic agent 81
Pretoria (Conyngham Greene), to the
Transvaal state secretary If W. Reitz}
suggestions which this government
acted upon in good faith and after spe-
cially ascertaining whether they wouic
be likely to prove acceptable to the
British government.
This government had by no means
an intention to raise again needlessly
the question of its political status, but
acted with the sole object of endeayor.
ing, by the aid of the local British
agent, to put an end to the strained
condition of affairs. This was done in
the shape OF a proposal wncih this gov
ernment deems, both as regards its
spirit and form, to be so worded as, re-
lying upon intimations to this govern
ment, would satisfy her majesty's gov
ernment.
This government saw a difficulty as
to the acceptance of those proposals by
the people and legislature of the Trans
vaal, and also contemplated possible
dangers connected Herewith, but risked
making them on account of sincere
desire to secure peace, and because as
sured by Mr.. Chamberlain that such
proposals would not be deemed re-
fusal of his proposals. but would be set
tied on their merits.
las regards the joint commission, the
Transvaal adheres to the acceptance of
the invitation thereVnto given py hei
majesty's government, anu can not un-
derstand why such commission, which
before was deemed necessary to explain
the complicated details of the seven
years law, should now be deemed un-
necessary, and why it should now, with
out much inquiry. be thought possible
to declare this law inadequate.
Further, there must be misappre-
hension if it be assumed that this gov
ernment was prepared to lay proposals
for five years franchise and a quar-
ter representation of the new population
before the volksraad for unconditional
acceptance.
'As to the language, this government
never made any offer such as is referred
to. considering, as it did. such meas
ure both unnecessary and undesirable.
THE proposed conference, as opposed
to the joint commission of inquiry, this
government is likewise not unwilling to
enter upon, but the difficulty is that an
acceptance thereof is made dependent
upon the acceptance, on the side of the
Transvaal. of precedent conditions
which this government does not feel at
liberty to submit to the volksraad, and.
moreover, the subjects to be discussed
at the conference remain underlined.
This government ardentiy desirey
and gladly accepts arbitration. as its
e. . =.