The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-08
ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION.
MASSING OF THE BRITISH TROOPS
IRRITATES BOERS.

There to Protect British Interests,
and to Maks Provision Against
EventuaIIties-Cause Some Sharp
Speeches in the Raad-SOme Think
1t Means War-President Kruger
Appealed for Moderation.
Pretoria. Sept 7.-At the desire of the
Transvaal government there has been
transmitted by Congyham Greene. the
British diplomatic agent here, to Sir Al
fred Miner, the British high commission
er of South Africa. an inquiry as to
whether an explanation would be given
in regard to the mobilization of British
troops on the Transvaal frontier
There was great excitement in the Raad
to-day on Mr. Goetzer's Interpolation of
the government regarding the presence OF
British troops on the borders and the
stoppage of ammunition consigned to the
Transvaal.
President Kruger, the members of the
executive council, and most of the prin-
cipal officials were present together with
a large representation of the general pub
lie including many ladies'
At the outset the chairman and President
urged members to preserve calmness and
to avoid insulting language.
The state secretary, F. w. Reitz, said he
had called the previous day on the British
diplomatic agent, Mr.. Conyngham Greene
and had asked him what reply the govern
ment could give in the Volksraad regarding
the alleged massing of British troops on
the borders, and whether Mr.. Greene
would communicate with the British high
commissioner, Sir Alfred Miner. The re-
ply from Mr.. Greene, he continued, had
been received this morning and in the
following terms:
Why the Troops Are There.
Dear Mr.. Reitz: The following is Sir
Alfred Miners reply to the telegram
which l sent him at your request:
1 don't know to what Mr.. Reitz re-
fers when he alludes to the massing of
| troops. These must be the British troops
in South Africa the position and number
of which are no secret; but 1t Is matter
of common knowledge that they are here
in order to protect British interests and to
make provision against eventualitles.'
Mr.. Goetzer and other members then
made violent speeches, declaring that they
could not understand Sir Alfred Miners
reply, since the Transvaal had never
threatened the English colonies.
TT is time" exclaimed Mr. Goetzer,
"for the Transvaal also to prepare for
| eventuallties.'
One member said "England's action is
| like putting a revolver into a mans face"
| Another concluded a war-like harangue
in this strain: 1T is time to send our bur
| ghers to the borders TO ask these troops
| what they want. The fire is bound TO
| start. So let them light it and allow 1t 10
| burn out quickly. War is better than the
| present state of affairs. Business is ruined
and the public treasury is drying up.
| Chamberlain is trying to ruin the coun-
| try"
The debate continued throughout the af-
| ternoon.
Mr.. Tosen, who declared that Sir Alfred
| Miners reply was tantamount TO a de-
claration of war read telegram from the
| field cornet of the Pietretief district, stat
ing that the people there would rise in re-
| bellion if President Kruger went TO an
| other conference.
The chairman called Mr.. Tosen to order
for saying that the Jameson raiders ought
to have been hanged.
Charge Against Chamberlain.
| In the course of the debate Ar Dutoit
| insinuated that MIR. Chamberlain was in
| toxicated on the occasion of his recent
| famous Garden party speech" at High
| bury, his Birmingham residence, and he
| added thai if Mr.. Chamberlain continued
to act as he had been acting the Trans
| vaal would give him "Mauser pills, which
would be a good purgative."
lie urged the House not to be frightened
| by the show of sending out British troops,
| remarking that Mr.. Chamberlain must re-
MEMBER tldI KN6u q w dI idb OiSc Stdt tSh,
| he would have to fight the whole of Afri-
| kanderdom. The chairman demonstrated
with Mr. Dutoit, observing that he thought
| the member had gone too far.
MIR. Tosen asked whether the govern
ment considered Sir Alfred Miners tele-
| gram a declaration of war.
| Mr. Wolmaran replied that personally,
| he DID not think So adding that the tele-
gam was as inexplicable to the executive
| as to tie Raad.
Subsequently Mr.. Wolmaran Fo,d the
! chamber that President SteJn of the
Orange Free State had sad that Fot tueal
must be called 10 account for stopping the
| passage of ammunition.
| President Kruger who was gree ed with
| loud cheers, began mis- speech by saying
| that might was not right, but that right
was might and that he knew the Lord
ruled and was righteous and would give
| good judgment.
Kruger More Moderate.
President Kruger, rising said:
THE aliens have been offered equal
rights with the burghe,s but have refused
| them. Mr.. Chamber ain is Striving to get
| the franchise, which the outlanders do not
| want: but what he really desires is Dos-
session of the TTansvaal. The burghers
are willing to concede much for the sake
| of peace, but will never sacrifice their In
| dependence"
/ After RulOS +LltAE MI NiiNeAcf'N
in retrocession in 1881 as a noble deed,
| President Kruger said that If it now came
to fighting the Almighty would be the
| arbiter. He urged the members of the
| Raad to show moderation, reminding them
that the reply from Mr. Chamberlain was
en- route, and pointing out that If the
| proposal for a commission were agreed
to the republic would send delegates 10
| further discuss matters and, If possible,
| to make peace.
The speeches following the Presidents
| were more moderate i'm tone, and the
Raad rose without passing any resolution