The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-29

Pretoria. Aug 2S.-The reports Of Jo-
Seph Chamberlain's speech at Rirmins-
ham last Friday have been calmly re-
ceiyed here, President Kruger said:
Let the newspapers bring whatever
they like. ] cannot say whether they re-
port Mr.. Chamberlain corrSctiy. When
he speaks 10 me direct. l shall listen and
shall know how TO reply"
Commandanc Gen Joubert, in the course
of an interview, declared that the whole
republic would resist like one man any
interference with its independence.
State Secretary Reitz said he believed
Mr.. Chamberlain was speaking for him
self only, and not for the whole British
Cabinet. The situation, he declared, hat
not grown worse but there was danger
that spark might fall into the magazine
and do mischief.
Cape Town. Aug 2S.-According to re-
ports from Johannesburg, the burgners
are everywhere exchanging Martins for
Mausers. A heavy load of ammunition
including 500 Mausers, arrived at Johsn-
nesburg on Friday from Utrecht, the
Netherlands.
Uitianders Take Action.
The Uitlander council held a long meet
ing at Johannesburg to-day TO discuss the
acute business distress that has followed
the prolonged political crisis. 1t was de-
cided to bring the situation to the notice
OF the imperial government.
Replying 10 the latest propositions o.
the British secretary of state for the colo
MES. Mr.. Chamberlain, the government
OF the Transvaal has notified him that il
adheres TO its latest offer and will not
make any further concessions
The Cane house of a aSSpuhIy Ia again Ja
batting the question of the transit of arms
intended for the Orange Free State and
presumably the Transvaal Evidently a
state of extreme tension exists, as every
speech made to-day was received with
almost absolute silence in the chamber.
William =. Schreiner the premier. per
sonally appealed TO his followers to re-
frain from answering the criticism OF the
opposition lest they should drop words
of i'll feeling.
The entire opposition rose to support
the motion for adjournment, made by
Righ. Hon. Sir John Gordon Sprigg, the
former premier. Sir John, who repeated
the arguments he had used In the previ-
| Gus debate. asked the premier what ac-
| tion the Cape cabinet proposed to take I'm
the matter. He said that the recent speech
of the British secretary of state for the
| colonies, Joseph Chamberlain at Blr-
mingham, England. had forced all 10 the
| conclusion that South Africa was on the
| brink of war unless the Transvaal me-
| the British demands. In his opinion the
| Cape government ought 10 follow the eX-
| ample of Portugal at DelagOa Bay AMI
| refuse 70 permit the transit of arms a
| long as the crisis lasted.
| The Premier's Contention.
After Sir John Gordon Sprigg had sn-
ished pause occurred. the house waiting
for the premier's reply Finally, Mr.
| Schreiner rose and declared that under
the customs convention the Orange Free
State was justified in importing arms
| through Cape Colony, and he did not in
tend to tear up that convention, knowing
as he did that there would be no war
! In the event of war" he said, Il would
rot lack the true imperial spirit"
! Mr. Schreiner then read a letter from
| President Steyn. of the Orange Free
State. denying any intention on the part
Of that government to take up arms in
any aggressive or offensive manner
q against the British government or the
Cape Colony. II was the final policy OF
| the Orange Free State. President Steyn
| continued, never to take up arms except
when attacked or in support of its treaty
| obligations
| The letter created a profound impress
sion. as clearly showing the purpose OF
the importation of firearms. Several mem
| berS dWclt upon this phase. and Mr..
Schreiner promised. in the case of future
cCnsignments, to consult the governor of
Cape Colony, Sir Alfred Miner. which he
admitted he had not previously done. He
also asserted that the Cape Colony would
maintain neutrality in the event of war.
| Ii is understood that a detachment of
the Cape Town garrison will proceed "a
| Mafeking and strong force from Ma
ritzbUrg to Laings Max within fourteen
hours, there to await developments.