The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-09-26

IN tTanSrniSSiOn)-At a meeting OF the
Afrikander members of parliament to-
day the following telegram was dis
patched to President Kruger:
1--WE, Afrikander members of parlia-
mert, thoroughly s~ympathize with our
Afrikander relatives in their troubles.
While approaching the concessions al
ready made in the interests of peace, we
beg to urge the expectancy of doing the
utmost, short of sacrificing indepen-
dence, to avert the horrors of
While agreeing that the joint inquiry
proposed by Mr.. Chamberlain cannot
be asked as a matter of right, we be-
lieve such a commission will provide
a way cut of the difficulties which are
fast approaching a crisis, with results
which might prove fatal, not only TO
the Transvaal and our free state breth-
rem, but also to the Afrikander party
of Cape Colony. In the presence of inn
mediate danger and the mOmentOuS is
sues waiting the decision of your % n
or, the executive and the voksraad, even
the risk of being misunderstood is of
minor Importance. We beg your honor
to lay these words, only dictated by a
keen sense of our common interests and
risks, privately before the executive and
volksraad."
To this message, which was signed
by fi~fty-three members of parliament,
President Kruger made the following
reply:
Il wish you and other syrnpathizers
will notice, as you have doubtless al
ready seen by the reply of the imperial
government, that we have, according
tn MI g6nCjrn nOn ciHnrn6 thn TnQttGr
and accepted the invitation to he joint
commission. Why the acceptance was
delayed is shown by the dispatches pub
lished. | wish to thank you n other
friends once more, from my heart, for
the manner in which you have aided
our efforts for a pacific and ~satisfac-
tory solution. Finally, l express the
nope that your work and ours will not
be Ruthless"
The meeting also adopted a resolution
to the effect that it had heard with
satisfaction that the executive OF the
Transvaal had accepted the invitation
of the joint inquiry and trusted the &C
ceptance would render am outbreak OF
hostilities practically impossible.
FTFTY-TWO THOUSAND BOERS
UNDER ARMS.
London, September 21.-The London
edition of The Standard and Diggers
News of johannesburg, gave out a
cable dispatch today, purportlng to be
from Johannesburg, saying THAT the re-
turns from the field comets of the
Transvaal amid Orange Free State show
that So, 900 burghers are ready to take
the field at short notice.
Reuters Telegram Company an
nounced this evening THAT no message
had been received by Queen Victoria
from President Kruger.
~Bloemfontein, Orange Free State,
September 21.-The volksraad met to-
day with a full attendance. President
Steyn read a carefully prepared speech.
After welcoming the %burghers, he ex-
messed regret that the relations be
tween Great Britain and the
had become strained. The members,
ne said, were aware of the meeting of
Sir Alfred Miner and President Kruger
at Bloemfontein, Len President kru-
ger made proposals which, although re-
fused by the British high commissioner,
were unanimously considered through
out the Orange Free State TO De eA-
~ceedingly fair.
Proceeding to review the negotiations
President Steyn said the T~ranSvaal had
beer decoyed by the British diplomatic
agent at Pretoria, Cunningham Greene:
and he practically accused the Imperial
govednment of a breach OF faith. He
said he was disinclined to advise the
l. CIEo dII SON ohAASAb W
est British demands. The present crit
ical state of affairs could not be a mat
ter of Indifference Ito the Orange Free
State, which was bound by treaty to
afford assistance to he rtansvaal and
he had, therefore convened the vOlks-
) raad to decide what attitude should be
taken.
There lis nothing" declared the pres
ident, "that warrants war or al attack
upon the Transvaal. Such differences
as exists can be solved by arbitration.
War would be an insult TO religion End
civilization"
In conclusion President Steyn said
he would take this opportunity Cf lay
ing certain draft of laws before the
volksraad for consideration, praying
God to give the members strength TO
pass resolutions, not only conducive 70
peace and prosperity, but also in the
interest of their beloved state.
Immediately after the speech Presi-
dent Steyn asked the volksraad to go
into secret session, which was agreed
to unanimously.
THE CRY FOR WAR.
London, September 21.-The speech
of Sir William Vernon Harcourt, the
forme liberal leader, to his constitu-
ents at New T~redegar, last night, and
the message of the Cape Town Afri-
kander members of parliament to Presi-
dent Kruger have proved red flags tc
the "war-at-any-price party.
The Cape papers declare the actor
of the members of parliament am6 Cnts
almost to treason, and the same terms
are applied to Sir William Vernon Har.
courts remarks by the English anti
Boer papers
WAR PREPARATIONS CONTINUE
Those who claim the situation Ia:
not yet passed the Rubicon Of pacifi,
negotiations, see in President Kruger.
answer to the A~frikanders a genuine
\ desire to avoid hostilities. Neverthe
\ less preparations for that eventualit,
! continue energetically on both sides.
The latest report of Boer ~activit.
emanates from New Castle, Natal, say
- ing the Transvaa1 forces are encampet
at Z~andsprint and intend to raid Nata
Immediately after they understand tina