Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-09-14

3 .
merits of the controversy and their
probable course in case of war.
| A dispatch from Pretoria says the
British note is regarded as virtual
! ultimatum. 1t proposes a five years
franchise, a quarter representation for
the gold fields in the VOlksraad and
equality for the cid and new Burghers
in regard to presidential and other
elections. If these conditions are ac-
cepted, a conference between repre-
sentatiVes of the two governments
shall follow for the purpose Of draft
ing the necessary measures and OF
avoiding the introduction of unneces-
sary conditions by the Transvaal gov
eminent, or the possibility OF the pas
sage CT any new bills calculated to de-
feat the reforms.
Despite the fact that the note is de-
scribed as an ultimatum the balance of
opinion tends to regard it as rather
moderate document, since, apparently,
it does not fix a definite time limit,
leaves the real subject Of dispute for
the proposed conference and does not
raise the question of suzerainty. In
a word, the note seems to leave the
way open to further negotiations.
A dispatch from PieEermaritzburg,
capital of Natal, says: President Kru-
ger, it is asserted in reliable quarters,
is prepared to attend the proposed con-
ference at Cape Town Internationally,
provided he is assured that Mr.. Cham
berlain's latest dispatch represents all
that will be demanded by Great Brit
ain. A peaceful solution, therefore, is
highly probable.
PRETORIA, September 13.-The late
understanding yesterday afternoon In
regard to the British reply was that it
asks for an answer from the Trans
vaal within As hours. 1t was decided
that the executive already had deliD-
Grated upon the matter and had been
in telegraphic communication all the
afternoon with the Orange Free State
government which President Kruger
consulted in regard to his reply, which
will be drafted to-day, after the views
of the Orange Free State have been
ascertained. The reply will then be
submitted to the volksraad.
The situation is regarded as grave,
but Secretary of State Reitz, in an In
terview has declared that he did not
consider it altogether hopeless.
The reading in the volksraad of the
reply to Secretary Chamberlain, to the
latest Transvaal note. was greeted with
silence, except for some Interruptions
from Mr.. Toson and other ultra-con-
sentative members. Its terms, howev
err have produced considerable ex-
element here. There is no indication
of the views held regarding 1t in Off
cial circles.
government to dismiss Mr.. de Jonge,
secretary of education, for writing a
letter to the newspapers accusing the
ministers of the United Dutch Church
Of jingoism because they wanted more
English education in the State schools.
P. G. w. Grobbjer, the foreign secre-
tary has gone to Bloemfontein on Of
fetal business
BLOEMFONTEIN, September 10
The delegates to the conference will
probably be Commandant General Jou-
bert, vice president of the Transvaal;
j. NJ. A. Wolmarand, one of the Trans
vaal executive council, and Mr.. Fis-
cher, who has figured prominently In
some of the recent negotiations of the
Orange Free State.
JOHANNESBURG, September 49,
The Outlanders of Boxburg applied to
the burghers for permission to remain
neutral in the event of war, but were
refused on the ground that as the Brit
ons remaining in the Transvaal and
refusing to fight thay must be regarded
as enemies.
CAPE TOWN, September ia de-
spatch from Pietermaritzburg Capitol
OF Natal, says that the OutlanGers'
council expresses great dissatisfaction
with the British note, complaining that
the imperial authorities are willing TO
accept inadequate concessions in order
to avoid war.