The Van Buren press., 1899-09-16
BR|IONS 10 THE BOERS.
The Tenor OF the British Message
Transmitted to the Trans
vaal Republic.
THE MESSAGE is NOT AN ULTIMATUM.
Nevertheless n Prompt Reply is Re-
uuested, and the Hope Expressed
that President kruger VIII Ae-
cept the Propositions to 'Relieve
the Present Tension"

London, Sept. IA representative
of the press learned that the British
message to the Transvaal does not de-
mand a reply in IS hours, the exact
wording being a request for IAN i'm
mediate reply" The message is net
an ultimatum, in the generally ac-
cepted sense of The word. 1t eX-
presses the hope that President Kru-
ger will accept the propositions to
Relieve the present tension"
The Only Aggressive Part.
The only part which is at all ag-
gressive is the reiterated declinations
of the British government to discuss
the matter of sovereignty in any
shape or form.
The British officials refuse to deny
or affirm the correctness of the latest
Pretoria dispatches, saving the Brit
ish terms are as outlined in the spe-
cial dispatch from Pretoria, cabled
Tuesday night, namely, a tive-years'
franchise, a quarter representation
for the gold fields in the volksraad,
equality for the British and Dutch in
the volksraad. and equality for the old
and new burghers in regard to presi-
Dental and other elections.
How Regarded at Cape Town.
A special dispatch te the Pail Mall
Gazette from Cape Town says the
British reply is regarded as equiva-
lent to an ultimatum, and the corrc-
spondent's advices from Pretoria indi-
cate that war is inevitable.
A Pretoria special to the Cape
Times says the Transvaal has notified
the miners of Italy that it will give
them safe conduct and protection III
case they wish to remain in the Trans
vaal.
Irishmen Would Help the Beers.
The report that the Rand Irish men
have formed a corps 10 help President
Kruger is confirmed; and it is said
been received there from New York
saying 10000 Irishmen there are ready
| to help the Transvaal.
The Orange Free State burghers are
reported to be bitterly divided over
the merits of the controversy and
their probable course in case of war.
ChambcrIain's Understanding.
The message of the secretary of
state for the colonies, Mr.. Chamber
| lain, says he understands the conces-
sions made in President Kruger's note
OF August 1S have been withdrawn on
account of the British attitude regard
ing suzerainty, and adds:
Her majesty's government has sh-
solutely regulated the view of the
political status of the Transvaal taken
by the Transvaal government, claim
ing the status of a sovereign state, and,
therefore, are unable to consider any
proposal made conditionally on their
acceptance of this view
An Inefficient Law.
Continuing, the note says that the
British government is satisfied that the
law embodying the proposed alleviat-
ing measures for Outlanders is inef-
ficient to secure immediate and sub
stantial representation, which, it is
understood, the Transvaal admits to
be reasonable. 1t then says:
Moreover, the presentation of the
proposals in the note of August in
dcates that the government of the
South African Republic themselves
recognized that their previous offers
might, with advantage, De enlarged,
and the independence of the republic
thereby in no way be impaired
The Proposals of August o.
The dispatch then goes on to say
that Great Britain is still prepared TO
accept the franchise proposals of Au-
gust 9, provided court of inquiry,
where joint or unilateral, shows the
new scheme to be unincumbered by
nullifying conditions. In this connec-
ton, the British government assumes
that the new members of the raad will
be allowed to speak their own Ian
euage, and adds that the acceptance
of these terms would at once remove
the tension, and would, in all prob
ability, render unnecessary any fur
ther Intervention of her majesty's gov
ernment to secure redress for griev-
ances which the Outlanders themselves
would be able to bring to the notice of
the executive council and volksraad.
Danger OF Delay.
Her majesty's government is in
creasingly impressed with the danger
of further delay in relieving the strain
which has already caused so much in
| jury to the interests of South Africa,
and they earnestly press for an inn
mediate reply.
------
Under the shadow.
New York. Sept. H. Mr.. Wander