The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-19
to an inquiry ON this inject for purposes which
that lovarn IN n nj itaelf pronoaad


1T 10 not clear to this Government on
what grounds her Majesty's Government.
after having recently. by means OF its invita-.
ton. intmated that it could not declare with
out an inquiry. whether the franchise law and
the resolutions taken about representation
would afford INN odiate and substantial repre-.
sentation to the Uitlanders In the South
African Republic. 10 to-day In position.
without having made an inquiry SO far as this
Government Is aware. and before the law can
be tested In its operation. to declare that the
measure Just mentioned is insufficient for the
object contemplated.
1T trusts that II will clearly appear from the
foregoing that her Majesty's Government 10
under Misunderstanding /: 1t supposes that
this Government ever recognized that 1t had
considered the lapsed proposal. contained
In tho letter OF Aug 49, without the
conditions imposed therein and repeated In the
note OF Aug. 81. as a reasonable proposal. or
made 1t as a proposal; and still less that this
Government was. or is OF the opinion that the
earlier proposal could be extended with advan-
tnge to the Republic without the observance
OF those conditions. or that the Republic would
suffer any violations OF its Independence
WILLING TO ACCEPT JOINT COMMISSION.
However earnestly this Government may
desire to find an INN sdiate and satisfactory
course by which the existing tension could be
brought to an end. 1t feels itself quite unable.
as desired, to recommend or propose to the
South African Republic Volksraad and people
the part OF its proposal contained In para
| agraphs l. 2. and OF its note Of Aug. 10. omit
| ting the conditions ON the acceptance Of
which alone the offer was based: but declares
itself always prepared to abide by its acceptance
OF the invitation OF her Maiesty's Government
| for Joint commission. to be composed as In
| tmated in it's note OF Aug. 2. 1t considers
| that IL there are conditions contained in the
existing franchise law, which has been passed.
| and in the scheme OF representation. which
might tend to Illustrate the object contem-
plated. they will attract the attention OF the
commission and thus be brought to the knowl-
| edge Of this Government.
| ENGLISH LANGUAGE BARRED IN THE voLKsRAAD.
The Government has noticed with surprise
the assertion that 1t had intimated to the Brit
ish Agent that the new mem ers to be chosen
for the South African Republic Nolksraad
would be allowed to use their own language.
| II it is thereby intmated that this Govern
ment would have agreed that any other than
| the language OF the country would be used In
| the deliberations OF the Nolksraad. II
wishes to deny the same in the
strongest manner. Leaving aside the fact that
1t is not competent to introduce any such radt-
cal change. the Government has up to now not
been able to understand the necessity. or even
advisablity. Of making a recommendation to
the voksraad in the spirit suggested. Hence
an Immediate and express denial was given to
the British Agent by the States Attorney to all
questions of that nature.
| WOULD WELCOME ARBITRATION.
"Inasmuch az the proposal for any further
conference has been made specially dependent
on the acceptance OF this proposal. this Gov.
eminent does not feel at liberty to recommend
the conference to the Volksraad and II
would, perhaps. be premature to dea
with II further at the present time. II
merely wishes to remark. however tina
1t has not yet been made elear to tbi'
Government what are the definite question:
7 which would be discussed at the proposed con-
ference. and which could not be m ade the sub
ject OF arbitration; but it is pleased to see tina
her Majesty's Government thinks the ques
tons could readily be settled by means o
friendly discussions: while it further wei
comes. with much pleasure. the prospect dis
closed by her MaIesty's Government for thu
introduction OF q court OF arbitration for thu
decision OF all points OF difference and tn
points to be discussed at the conference. and i
ready and willing to cooperate toward tn
composition OF such court the more as it is 1t
firm intention to abide entirely by the Londo
Convention OF 1884. as 1t has made contnuou
Efforts TO do.
HOPES NEW DEMANDS WILL DE WITHDRAWN.
Finally, the Government continues to cher
ish the hope that her Majestys Government
on further consideration. will feel itself free t
abandon the idea OF making new proposals NOR
difficult for this Government and imposing
new conditions. and will declare itself satishe
. to abide by her own proposal for joint com
mission. as first proposed by the Secretary c
. State for the Colonies in tho Imperial Paria
: ment and subsequently proposed to this Gov
= eminent and accepted by it. II her Majesty
Government Is willing. feels able to make thi
decision. it would put an end to the preser
state OF tension race hatred would decreas
and die out and tho prosperity and welfare
: the South African Republic and all Sout
Africa would be developed and furthered an
: determination between tho different nationa
ties would increase.
. "REITz. States Secretary"
. BOER SYMPATHY IN BELGIUM.