The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-22
KRUGER ANSWERS NO
AND WAR WITH TRANSVAAL NOW APP
PEARS INEVITABLE.
Counter Proposals Submitted but Scant At.
tention Will Probably be fc-
corded Them.

/ COTQGQ EleIIlG
| London, Aug. 21-There is no longer
any doubt that President Kruger bas
refused to submit to the demand Of
| Chamberlain for the appointment of
a court Of inquiry. He may have done
so automatically. But, that his answer
is regarded by the British Government
as tantamount to positive refusal is
now established.
The report that President Kruger has
| proposed new terms is somewhat veri-
| fed by the guarded comment of the
| colonial office officials and the irrita-
/ bility displayed there. There is not the
| slightest doubt that they believe war is
] now the only way to settle the coutro-
| versy. They would far rather have
| had a curt defiant answer than the
| temporizing reply which the Boer Presi-
! dent has sent. With the former Great
| Britain would have plain grounds for
| quick commencement of histilities. I'm.
! der the circumstances which 1t is be-
| lieved now exist aggressive action needs
| considerable legislation to Justify it in
| the eyes of the world and the English
minority who still declare that war
| would be an outrage. However, If Mr..
| Chamberlain has his way, it is believed
| President Kruger's counter proposals
will meet with scant attention, and I'M
less the Beers completely back down,
which is not likely, the crisis will quick
| ly develop into war.
| 1t is gathered that the Colonial Office
has been aware of the nature of the
Transvaal's reply for some days. Hence
| it is probable that Great Britain will
delay the denoument as little as possl-
BILE.
A high Colonial official frankly eX-
| pressed to representative of the Assoc
ciated Press. his disgust at what he
termed Kruger's cupidity and hypocrisy.
lie said:
'SIhe kind of game which Kruger is
playing must be clear to Americans. Tho
protestation of the Beers that they wish
to live a quiet, agricultural life may be
the tune of some of the Veldt, but the
gang in Pretoria is simply after money.
Though President Kruger says many
| hard things of the Outanders. he never
hesitated to make money QUE of them,
either by fair or foul means.
This .Transvaal question cannot be
judged by recent occurrences. You must
go back fifty years. 1t has been hang
ing fire all that time and the sooner it
is settled now the better"
Though the official did not actually
say so. it was clear that he believed
war was the only method of settlement.
1t is learned that the Government is
somewhat annoyed at the published
slight interest in the Transvaal
The official above quoted said to The
Associated Press representative:
'.Dreyfus seems the only thing oglr peo-
pie think about, though England is in
most serious crisis. This indifference IS
perhaps typical"
A special from Cape Town says there
is great danger of an outbreak of vio-
lence on the frontier, and that the scum
Of South Africa are existing throughout
the colony and are being sent to Pittsani
and Jameson, ON the border.
THE TRANSVAAIfS REPLY.
Cape Town. Aug. 21.-The report that
the Transvaal Government had handed
its reply to the British agent at Preto-
ria, to be Forwarded to Sir Alfred Mil
ner, British High Commissioner for
South Africa and Governor of Cape
Colony. is confirmed. 1t is believed, how
ever, that the proposition of Great Brit
ain for joint commission to investigate
the effect which the franchise reform
legislation would have on the Outlanders.
has not been accepted but that fresh
proposals have been advanced.
PRAYING FOR PEACE.
Cape Twon, Aug. 21.-Sunday was OBJ
served throughout the Orange Free
State and Cape Colony with humiliation,
prayer and sermons advocating a peace
full solution of the crisis.
There is evidence of growing uneas-
ness at Johannesburg. Great crowds
gathered at the railroad station ex-
pressing disapproval ut the departures
for Cape Colony and urban, Natal.
THE COUNTER PROPOSAL.
Cape Town, Aug. 21.-According to
Africander reports the TransvaaPs reply
is counter proposal of a FIVE years ret
respective franchise in the election of the
President and an increased representa-
tion 1t said that the suggestion is
made to submit all differences to arbitra-
ton.
NO CHANGE AT GIBSONvlTLE.