Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-27
WARNING SOUNDED
By Sir Joseph Chamberlain
to Pres. Kruger.
England Does Not Want War But Will
No Longer Permit Beers Acts
To Threaten British Subjects or Her Prestige
Among the Natives.

Birmingham, Eng, June 26.-Mr. Jo-
seph Chamberlain, secretary of state
for the colonies, addressing the Union
lists Of this city, this evening, reviewed
the Transvaal question. In the course
of his speech he said that owing to
the enormous military preparation of
the government of the South African
republic, Great Britain had been COM
PEELED to increase the British garrison
in Cape Colony and Natal, entailing
an additional annual expenditure Of
$500 900.
IF the reforms which Lord Ripon
proposed, in 1894, had been accepted"
said the minister, there would have
been no raid and no crisis at the pres
ent. But the raid tied the hands of the
government and prevented the appli
cation Of pressure"
Mr.. Chamberlain said the government
had tried to establish friendly rela-
lions with Pres. Kruger. but all their
advances had been received with con-
tempt He then proceeded to eulogize
Sir |fred Miner, governor of Cape
Colon and British high minister for
South Africa. The government ac-
ceptcd full responsibility for the actions
Of that official. AS for the counter
proposals of Mr.. Kruger they did not
constitute even a fair installment Of
reform.
After denouncing in the strongest
terms the attitude ana actions Of the
Beers Mr.. Chamberlain. with great de-
liberation and emphasis added:
The Transvaals enormous secret
Fri. l.
and advocates in every country. The
way the British subject there is treat
ed is not only a menace to them, but
interferes with our prestige among the
natives Who now regard the Beers and
not the British as the paramount
power.
Besides the breaches Of the London
convention. the Transvaal is nagrantly
violating the equity that convention was
intended to secure. Its mjsE0vcrnmeut
is fostering sorA poisoning the whole
atmosphere Of South Africa. The Dutch
in cape Colony AMI Natal would be IN
the happiest condition, but 50 long as the
disease Of hatred ana suspicion prevails
in the Transvadl il is impossible to stop
the cOntaSion.
-Four times since independence was
granted. we have been on The verge of
war with the Transvaal. II is erroneous
10 say that the British government wants
war. but ii is equally erroneous 20 say
that the government viii draw back now
that it has PUT its hand to the plow.
I'VE hope the efforts that are now be-
ing made Will lead to an amicable ar
rangement, for Great Britain only de-
sres justice, but there comes time
when patience can hardly be distiu-
guished from weakness ANA when moral
pressure becomes 2 farce, that cannot be
continued without loss OF Sclf-reSpcct. l
trust that time may never come in this
instance but. if ii does. Britons Will III
sist upon finding the means to secure
result essential to the peace Of South
Africa
The speech was warmly applauded. In
replying to a vote OF thanks, Mr. Cham
herlain said ne felt strengthened and en-
couraged by their confidence ana support.
He had spoken from the heart. because
believed they had reached a critical turn
ing point in the history of the emporc
ana that the whole world was watching
to see how they would issue from the dit
hculty.
1T is my belief" he said in cliossins.
that the country will show herself no.
unworthy Of its glorious history and ira
diLiOns