The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-09-13
A VIRTUAL ULTlNATUMl
Great Britain's Reply to the Latest
;. Transvaal Note. -
SPEEDY ACCEPTANCE DEMANDED
DespIte the "Ultimatum," However,
the Way Is Left Open For Further
Nepottations-Pr President Kruger Pre-
pared to Attend Proposed Conferences

Despite the "Ultimatum," However,
the Way Is Left Open For Further
Negotiations-Presld Kruger Pre-
pared to Attend Proposed Conferences
London, Sept 13-A special dis
patch from Pretoria says the British
note, which was read in both raads
yesterday, is regarded there as viz
tual ultimatum. The correspondent
says: at proposes five years fran
chise, a quarter representation for the
gold fields in the volksraad, equality
for the British and Dutch in the volks-
raad and equality for the old and new
burghers in regard to presidential and
other elections.
"If these conditions are accepted
conference between representatives OF
the two governments shall follow for
the purpose of drafting the neyessary
measures and Of avoiding the intro
duction of unnecessary conditions by
the Transvaal government or the pos
sibility 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 pro-
longed, the definite acceptance of this
proposal is demanded without delay.
Otherwise her majesty's government
will Immediately take the whole sit
uation under reconsideration and Will
act so as to bring about settlement.
The situation is acute"
The reading of Mr.. Chamberlain's re-
ply was greeted with silence, except
for some Interruptions from Mr.. Tosen
and other ultra-conservative members.
Its terms, however. have produced
considerable excitement here. There
is no indic.ion as yet Of tho views
held regarding it in official circles.
The volksraad has instructed the
government to dismiss Mr.. Dejonge.
secretary of education for writing a
letter to the newspapers accusing the
ministers of the United Dutch church
of Ungoism, because they wanted more
English education in the state schools.
Owing to the understanding that Mr.. =
Chamberlain note Is to be published
simultaneously in London and Pre-
toria, only an inadequate summary
has yet been telegraphed. The Lon
don papers are inclined to withhold
comment until the text is available.
Despite the fact that the note is de-
scribed as an ultimatum, the balance
of opinion tends to regard it as a
rather moderate document, since, ap-
parently, it does not fix definite time
limit, leaves the real crux of the dis
pute for the proposed conference, and
does not raise the question of suzer-
ainty. In word, the note seems TO
leave the way open to further nego-
tiations.
The Times, which considers the sum-
mary obviously important, says: 1t
Is incredible that all mention of siEer-
ainty and the other matters in cd p-
troversy has been passed over or iSa-
nored" w.
A special dispatch from Pietemaritz-
burg, capital of Natal. says "Presi-
dent Kruger, 1t is asserted In reliable
quarters. is prepared to attend the
proposed conference at Cape Town
Internationally, provided he is as
sured that Mr.. Chamberlain's latest
dispatch represents all that will be /
demanded by Great Britain. A peacs-
full solution, therefore, is highly probs
able"
The Transvaal delegates to the con-
ference will probably be Commandant
General Joubert. vice president of the
Transvaal, ]. NJ A. Wolmarand. one
of the two non-oflicial members of the
Transvaal executive council, and Mr..
Fischer, who has figured prominently
in some of the recent negotiations as
the special representative Of the
Orange Free State.