Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-22
DOM PAUL REFUSES
To Submit to EngIand's De-
mands for Inquiry Court.
Firmly Believed in England that
War Is the Only Course.
Kruger Accused Of Cupidity and Hypocrisy
Situation More Serious.

London, Aug. 21.-There is no long
or any doubt that Pres. Kruger has re-
fused to submit to the demand of Mr..
| Joseph Chamberlain for the appoint
| nent Of court of inquiry. He may
! have done so automatically or hedg-
| ingly; but that his answer is regard
"a by the British government as tam
tamount to a positive refusal is now
an established fact. The colonial office
is nOminally non-committal, but there
are other evidences which amply JUS
| tify the statement The report that
Pres. Kruger has proposed new terms
is somewhat verified by the guarded
comment of the colonial office officials
and the irritability there displayed
There is not the slightest doubt that
they believe war is now the only way
to settle the controversy.
They would far rather have a curt,
defiant answer, than the temporizing
reply which the Boer President has
sent. With the former Great Britain
would have plain grounds for quick
commencement Of hostilities. Under
the circumstances, which, it is believ-
ed, now exist, aggressive action needs
considerable explanation to justify it
- ~
fish minority who still declare war
would be an outrage. However. if Mr.
Chamberlain has his way. it is belev-
ed that Pres. Krugers counter pro-
posals will meet with scant attention
and unless the Beers completely back
down. which is not likely. the crisis
will quickly develop into war.
1t is gathered that the colonial office
-, ,ft NJ, af ha
Transvaars reply for some days and it
was communicated to the war office.
hence it is probable Great Britain will
delay the announcement as little as
possible.
a high colonial official frankly ex-
pressed to representative of The As
sociated Press his disgust of what he
termed 'Kruger's cupidity and hypoc-
risy." He said The kind of game
which he is playing must be clear to
Americans. The protestations of the
Beers that they wish to live a quiet
agricultural life may be the tune of
some one on the Veldt. but the gang
in Pretoria is simply after money.
Though Pres. Kruger says many harsh
things of the .OutlandeIs. he never
hesitated to make money out of them.
Transvaal question cannot be judged
by recent occurrences. You must 60
back 30 years. 1t has been hanging
fire ever since, and the sooner it is set
tied now the better
Though the official did not actually
say so, it was clear that he believed
war was the only method of settle
ment.
1t is learned that the government is
somewhat annoyed at the public's
slight interest in the Transvaal.
The official said to The Associated
Press representative: ''Dreyfus seems
the only thing our people think about.
though England is in most serious
crisis. This difference is, perhaps, ty-
pical'
A special dispatch from Cape Town
says there is great danger of an out
break of violence on the frontier and
that the scum of South Africa are en-
listing throughout the colony and are
being sent to Pitsani and Jameson, on
the border.
Cape Town. Aug. 21.-According to
Afrikander reports the Transvaal's re-
ply is counter proposal of a five
years retrospective franchise in the
election Of the President and an in
crease in representation. 1t is said
that the suggestion is made to submit
all other differences to arbitration.
Sunday was observed throughout the
Orange Free State and Cape Colony
with humiliation, prayer and sermons
advocating a peaceful solution of the
crisis. Mr.. Snytler, leading Dutch
reform preacher here, referred TO the
close ties uniting the Cape Dutch to
those of the Transvaal. which, he AIDED.
were members of the great Arikander
family. If war should he declared, he
asserted Great Britain would commit
hcinous crime before God and man, re-
sultng in civil war in Cape Colony.
There is evidence of growing uneasi-
ness at Johannesburg, great crowds
gathering at the railroad station ex-
pressing disapproval at the departures
for Cape Colony and Durham, Natal.
The report, as cabled from here to
The Associated Press. last night. that
the Transvaal government had handed
its reply to the British agent at Pre-
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