Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-09-21
THE TRANSVAAL TROUBLE
AdViceS From Newcastle and Cape Town
Are Of a PeSSimiStiC Nature.
0UTLANDER COUNCIL HAS ASKED
The Imperial Government Not
to Delay Further.
THE BLUE BOOK ISSUED IN LONDON

London, Eng, Sept. Ia Blue
Book containing the last Transvaal dis
patch Of the Secretary Of State for the
Colonies, Mr.. Chamberlain, relating to
the matters which led up to the dis
patch being sent, was issued today.
The text of Mr.. Chamberlain's note
is identical with the dispatch as cabled
to Tho Associated Press September
18th.
The only important feature revealed
is telegram from the British High
Commissioner, Sir Alfred Miner, dated
August 3lst, referring TO the CONNER
cial distress, and saying: II am re-
ceiying representations from many
quarters to urge the Imperial govern
ment to terminate the suspense. British
South Africa is prepared for extreme
measures, and is ready to suffer much
more, in order to see the yindication of
British authority. 1t is the prolonga-
tion of negotiations, endless and inde-
cisive, that is dreaded. l fear seri-
ously that there will be a strong reac-
tion of feeling against the policy of the
imperial government il matters drag.
Please understand that / invariably
preach confidence and patience, and
not without effect; but, if l did in
form you of the increasing difficulty of
doing this, and of the uumistakable
growth of uneasiness about the present
situation, and of the desire to see it
terminated at any cost, | should be
failing in my duty"
Other lengthy dispatches from the
British High Commissioner are pub
lishd, but they only reiterate the Out
lander claims regarding the franchise
and the commissioner ideas regarding
the propositions already made.
The Blue Book throws no new light
on the situation as it is today, except
to show the commissioner patience
has reached the ebbing point.
In the published interview with
President Kruger, said to have taken
place at Pretoria yesterday, he is
quoted as saying: II have tried all
along to place the aliens in the Trans
yaal on the same footing politically as
the burghers. Mr.. Chamberlain says
have not kept my promises. This,
deny." Continuing, President Kruger
says they would not avail themselves of
the right of franchise. "Of the
British subjects who have availed
themselves of it," he said, "the chief
part have been Afrikanders, and not
English born. This shows that the
British in the Transvaal do not want
the franchise. In my opinion, there is
no cause whatever for war Everything
could be settled by arbitration. y
A second edition of the London
Times, today, prints special from
Newcastle, Natal, dated today, which
bears out the British High Commits.
sioner's statement, ms it says the Out
lander Council has transmitted to the
imperial government what practically
amounts to protest against further
delay. The advices from Cape Town,
today, tend to confirm the pessimistic
view of the Times correspondent at
New Castle.
The first battalion of the Manchester
Regiment arrived ut Cape Town to-
day, disembarked and marched through
the streets. The soldiers were wildly
cheered. After they had been reviewed
by Lieut.. Gen. Sir Frederick Walker,
commander of the British troops in
South Africa, the battalion re-em-
barked, and proceeded to Natal. These
troops. forming the first instalment of
the reinforcements, were sent from
Gibraltar to Cape Town.
London, Eng, Sept. 16. -Informa-
tion from all sources points to the
extreme gravity Of the Trarsvaal situa-
tion. Pretoria advices, emanating
from Boer source. say the Transvaal's
reply is uncompromising, and that
preparation for a staunch resistance is
proceeding constantly.
Another Pretoria special, dated yes
terday, says tho situation is regarded
as all but hopeless, unless Great Britain
retreats from her position. The dis
patch adds: 1.-The governments of the
two Republics consider the Transvaal
should refuse to concede anything
further, and it is believed the Beers
will have the support of all the Afri-
Handlers throughout South Africa. /"
1t is now definitely stated that the
Orange Free State has agreed to unite
with the Transvaal in resisting the
British claims.
Of all the numerous channels through
which South African news reaches
London, not one gives tho faintest
hope that the Boer reply win be fav-
orable, the majority taking the view
that war is extremely probably.
The Boer representatives here and
on the continent reiterate that the
British government is allowing itself
to be influenced by those wanting
British dominion over the whole of
South Africa, and that conviction of
the truth of this is so firmly rooted in
the minds of the burghers that it is i'm
possible to hope that they will accept
the constantly proffered friendly advice
the settlement of the matter
on Great Britain's present terms.
The first battalion of the Northum-
berland Fisuleers, 300 strong, and de-
tachments of the Army Service Corps
and Ordnance Corps sailed on the
steamer Gaulat at p. IN. today from
en- route to Natal, amid
great enthusiasm.
GREAT EXCITEMENT All PRE- EI0RlA