Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-09-02

London. Aug Sl.--The British diplo-
matte agent ut Pretoria, Conyninghum
Greene, has handed to Secretary OF
State Reitz the reply of Joseph Cham
berlain to the Transvaars alternative
proposals to the joint commission, sug-
gested by Great Britain, to inquire into
the effect which the proposed franchise
ceform measures will have on the out
landars.
Mr. Greene afterwards had long
audience of the state officials. The ma
ture of the dispatch is not disclosed, but
was subject to the consideration of the
executive yesterday afternoon. 1t Is
understood that another conference may
occur at Cape Town. The result 10
anNiouSly awaited.
London, Aug. 3l.-rhe Pretoria cor
respondent of The Morning Post says:
The BOer officials, after reading the
cabled reports of Mr.. Chamberlain's
Birmingham speech, consider that war
is inevitable. The speech has undoubt-
edly intamed the war spirit here. The
Beers are now all armed. except those
in Johannesburg. Their commissariat
Is fairly good. All the forts are amply
victualled The johannesburg fort has
been strengthened with several quick
tirers.
The ammunition which Mr.. Schreiner
allowed to pass through Cape Colony
came direct to Pretoria. 1t was never
intended for the Orange Free State.
President Kruger does not hesitate to
express the view that war is almost in
toll 10 hoe. 81 bad I,,v a
with ample supplies of provisions to Sc
cure his own person from privation. and
he is often heard repeating the S3rd
Psalm.
The Matabeles are showing signs of un-
rest. The Beers are energetically en-
gagged in poisoning the minds Of the ma
tives against the British and they have
approached the Zulu chief, Dinizulu,
who appears undecided which cause to
espouse. But the Zulus are preparing
for the expected fighting. and it must be
remembered that DiniZulu was deported
to St. Helena with several other chiefs
and kept prisoner there by the British
for several years.
The British diplomatic agent at Pre-
toria, Conyningham Greene. has handed
to Secretary of State Retz the reply Of
Joseph Chamberlain to the Transvaars
alternative proposals to the joint COM
mission suggested by Great Britain to
inquire into the effect which the pro-
posed franchise reform measures will
have on the outlanders.
A Cape Town dispatch says that there
was u violent scene in the Cape house Of
assembly yesterday, when Cecil Rhodes
repeated his conviction that the Trans.
vaal secret service fund was largely used
during the last Cape Colony elections for
the expenses of the Afrikander condl-
dates. He said he hoped that in the
forthcoming Transvaal settlement. thu
secret service payment list would be
destroyed, as otherwise, many Cape
families would feel uncomfortable Sew
eral Minister!alists were afterwards re-
proved frO?.l the chair for fiercely re-
torting against the statement
The government has refused to pro-
vide facilities for women and children
to leave Johannesburg.
At a meeting of the Scandinavians OF
johannesburg, just held. only two o,
them voted in favor Of forming volun.
teer corps in case of war A deputation
of outlanders has called on the British
agent at Pretoria r. arding the trade de.
preston. A merchant, whose stock II
valued at $4,000. said his daily sales
now were about 9S.
A dispatch from Berlin state that tn.
Neuste Nachrchtan, which reiterates its
declaration regarding neutrality in the
event of hostiitias in the Transvaal,
says: The Beers should have fought the
question on the basis of the Bloemfon-
tein sphere of discussion. The anti
Boer feeling in Great Britain would pass
away IL Great Blitain's demands We're
granted. France without Russia can
not stir q finger, and Russia will not.
Austria Hungary declared neutrality In
1896, and Italy will do nothing. Firmly
convinced that the German government
will maintain the strictest neutrality,
We consider it all the more our duty to
warn the Transvaal against a destruc.
tive policy.