The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-09-13
A VIRTUAL
UhTIWATUW
Great Britain's Reply to the Latest
Transvaal Note.
SPEEDY ACCEPTANCE DEMANDED

Despite the "Ulttmatum," However,,
the way l. Loft open For Further
Negotiations-Pre President Kruger Pre-
pared to Attend Proposed Conference
London, Sept. ia special dis
patch from Pretoria says the British
note, which was read in both raads
yesterday is regarded there as a vir-
tual ultimatum The correspondent
says: 1T proposes a five years fran
chise, quarter representation for the
gold fields in the volksraad equality
for the British and Dutch in the yolks-
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 purpose of drafting the nevessary
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 a 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 indication as yet OF the 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 jingolsm, 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 q
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 a 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 suzer-
ainty and the other matters in con-
troversy has been passed over or ig-
nored"
A special dispatch from PietemaritI
burg, capital of Natal. says; "Presi-
dent Kruger, it is asserted in reliable
quarters, is prepared TO attend the
proposed conference at Cape Town
Internationally, provided he is as
sured that Mr.. Chamberlain latest
dispatch represents all that will be-
demanded by Great Britain. A peace
full solution, therefore, is highly prob
able"
The Transvaal delegates to the con-
ference will probably be Commandant
General Joubert. vice president of the
Transvaal, J. NJ. A. Wolmarand one
of the two non-official members of the
Transvaal executive council, and Mr.
Fischer, who has figured prominently
in some Of the recent negotiations as
the special representative of th'
Orange Free State.