The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-18
BOERS REPLY is A REBUKE.
ARGUES THAT ENGLAND IS UNFAIR
IN MAKING NEW DEMANDS.

the London Press Considers tho Chances
for Peace Remote - Beers Say They
wero Led to Believe Their Offers. Made
In August, Would be Acceptable -
Express q Sincere Desire for Peace.
Fsteial Cable Ds,paieA to TEE sus.
LONDON. Sept. 19.-It is Understood that the
Colonial ONCE will not pu blish the Transvaal's
reply to the last Britbh note until aiter II has
been discussed by the Cabinet. The following
summary. derived from official sources In Pro-
toria. appears In the morning papers. and Ii
will be seen from It that 1t substantially con-
firms the previous reports that the British
proposals have been rejected:
After acknowledging the receipt Of the
British despatch OF Sept. 2. the reply says:
THE Transvaal deeply regrets the withdrawal
as this Government understands It. OF the
invitation contained In the British despatch Of
Aug. %. and Of the substitution Of an entirely
new proposal. The proposals which have now
fallen through were contained In the Trans
walls dispatches OF Aug. 10 and q. which
were elected from this Government by sug-
gestions made by Mr. Greene. tho British
Agent, to State Attorney Smuts. and upon
which the Government acted in good faith
and after specially ascertaininR whether
they would likely prove acceptable
to the British Government. Tho Trans
veal had by no means the intention to
needlessly again raise the question OF its poll
tcal status. but acted with the sole object Of
endeavoring by the aid OF the local British
Agent to put an end to the strained condition
OF affairs. and this was done in the shape OF pro-
posals which tho Government deem. both as
regards their spirit and form. to BIO 30
worded. as was intimated to II, no satisfy
H. Ha,n 49, nnk Thn IT., AL
saw difficulty as to the acceptance Of
those proposals by the people and leGis-
lature. and also contemplated the pos
sible dangers connected herewith. but
risked making them on account Of its sincere
desire to secure peace and because It was as
sured by Mr.. Chamberlain that such proposals
would not be deemed a refusal OF his propos-
ais. but would be settled on their merits.
AS regards the proposal for q joint com mis-
sion. the Transvaal adheges to It's acce ptance
Of the invitation thereto by her Majesty's Gov
eminent and cannot understand why such
commission. which before was deemed necea-
sary to explain the complicated details OF the
seven years franchise law. Is now deemed
unnecessary. and why ii should now. without
such an inquiry. be thought possible to declare
this law inadequate.
Further. there must be misapprehension II
It is assumed that the Transvaal was prepared
to lay proposals for q i've years franchise and
a quarter representation to tho new population
before the yolksraad for unconditional accept
ance.
AS to the language question. this Govern
mont mover made any offer such as is referred
to- considering such measure both unneces-
sary and undesirable.
Tho proposed conference. as distinct from a
joint commission. this Government Is likewise
not unwillingto enter upon. but the difficulty is
that the acceptance thereof 10 made dependent
on the acceptance on tho part otthe Transvnal
OF precedent conditions which this Govern
ment does not feel at liberty to submit to the
Volksraad; and. moreover. the subjects to be
discussed by tho conference remain underlined.
This government ardently desires and
gladly accepts arbitration. as it is its firm In
tention to adhere to the terms OF the Conven-
ton OF 1884"
The despatch concludes by saying the Trans
vaal Government trusts that the British Gov.
eminent. on reconside ration. will not make
more onerous or new proposals. but will adhere
to Great Brtain's proposal for joint commits
sion on the lines OF the statement made by Mr..
Chamberlain In Parliament.