Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-10-11
Long Note to Britain sPrecedes the
Formal Demand for With
drawal Of Troops.
Complains Bitterly Of Long List Of
Official Acts Leading up to
Crisis.
Blame for Existing Conditions Placed
Entirely on the Imperial Gov
ernment-London Excited

telegram transmitted by Sir Alfred
Miner. British high commissioner to
South Africa:
The government of the South Afri-
can republic feels itself compelled to
refer the government of her majesty,
queen of Great Britain and Ireland,
once more to the convention of London,
1854. concluded between this republic
and the united kingdom, and which, in
article NV, secures certain specified
rights to the white population of this
republic. namely, that all persons other
than natives, on conforming themselves
TO the law of the South African repub-
lie, Cal will have full liberty. with their
families. to enter, travel or reside in
any part of the South African repub-
lie: (b) they will be entitled to hire or
possess houses, manufactures. ware
houses. shops and other premises; lc)
they may carry on their commerce
either in person or by any agents
whom they may think fit to employ;
cd they shall not be subject, in respect
of their premises or property. or in
respect of their commerce and indus
TRY, to any taxes other than those
which are. or may be, imposed upon
the citizens OF said republic.
This government wishes further to
observe that these are the only rights
which her majesty's government have
reserved in the above convention with
regard to the uitlander population of.
this republic and that a violation only
of those rights could give that govern
ment d right to diplomatic representa-
itions or intervention: While, moreover,
the regulation of all other questions
affecting the position of the rights of
the uitlander population under the
laDove mentioned convention, is handed
lover to the government and represent
ltatives of the people of the South At
irican republic
Among the questions the regulation
lof which falls exclusively within the
competence of this government and Of
4 The volksraad are included those of
franchise and the representation of the
people in this republic; and although
\ this exclusive right of this government
and of the volksraaa for the regulation
LOT the franchise and the representation
4 of the people is indisputable. yet this
government has found occasion 10 dis
a cuss in friendly fashion. the franchise
and representation of the people witt
her majesty's government. without
q however, recognizing any right on tbs
S part of her nlaiestyfs government.
This government has also, by the
4 formulation Of the now existing fran
> chise law and by a resolution With re-
gard to the representation, constantly
held these friendly discussions before
its eyes. On the part OF her majesty
government. however. the friendly ma
cure Of these discussions has assumed
more ana more threatening tone, anf
the minds OF the people of this republi,
and the whole of South Africa have
been excited and a conditioner extrem'
tension has been created owing TO tin
fact that her majestys government
could no longer agree 70 the legislation
respecting the franchise and the reso
luton respecting representation in thi
republic, and finally, by your note o
September %, 1898 which broke off q
friendly CORES pondenee on TINS sub
ject and intimated that her majesty
: government must now proceed TO form
uiate their oWn proposals for the tins
settlement.
This government can only see in tn
above Elimination from her majesty
government a new Violation of the cor
gsptlon ot London. 1854 whicn does ne
les'slve 10 her majesty government tn
right TO 4 unilaterai settlement OF
Question which Is exclusively u dofues
: tic one fol' t!lts government and whie
has already been regulated by Jhis go,
ernment.
c,l account Of the strained situate
ana the consequent serious loss in ii
interrupticn Of trade in general, whio
y the spendenee respecting fi'aI
cilise and peprese ntaton of che Poop
of this republic has carried in its trail
her majesty : government has recent
pressed Tor an early settlement, ar
finally pressed, by your jrlteiNentio
tor an answer within forty-eight hour
IA demand subsequently somewhat mo,
ifie 4. IN answer to your note of Sept. ]
replied to by the note of this govern
ment of Sept. %. 1888; and thereaft
further friendly negotiations we
IS. broken off, this government receivit
an intimation that a proposal for a fin
settiement would shortly be made.
Although this promise was on
more repeated, the proposal, up
now, has not reached this governme,
Even while this friendly correspondent
was still going on, the increase of troo
on a large scale was introduced by h
. lmajesty's government, the troops bel
stationed lie the neighborhood of t
borders Of this republic.
Having regard for occurrences in I
history Of this republic, which it is u
necessary here to call to mind, this
public felt obliged TO regard this mi
tary force in the neighborhood of
borders as 4 threat against the inc
ne pendence of the South African republ
since 1t was aware of no circumstar
which would justify the presence
such military force in South Afr
and in the neighborhood of its horde
In answer To an inquiry with resp
thereto, addressed to his excellency,
% nigh commissioner, this governmt
" received, to its great astonishment,
" answer, yelled insinuation that FRI
the side of the republic an attack v
being made on her majesty's coloni
and at the same time mysterious r
erence to possibilities whereby this g,
n eminent was strengthened in its sus
> cion that the independence of this
.adsl public was being threatened.
JIf LII.