The record-union., 1899-06-18
But on the Continent, Though in a Much
Less viruIent Form.
Opinion Growing That the Delay
Necessitated in Awaiting Sir
Alfred Miners Full Report Of
the B1oemfonteine Conference
Will Make Room for a Pacific
Settlement Of the Controversy.

copyrighted, 1899, by Associated Press.)
LONDON, June 1.-THE Transvaal
situation is still the all-absorbing topic
of discussion in Great Britain, and even
the Continent has caught the disease,
although in a less virulent FORM Out
wardly the question seems to have ad-
vanced little, though those who are
inside think the cause of the Uitlanders
has gone up several pegs.
The publication of the Transvaal blue
book, with the emphatic denunciation
Of Transvaal methods, setting forth in
measured paragraphs the alleged po-
litical, financial and judicial incompe-
tency of the administration of Presi-
dent Kreguer, and adopting as part of
the Governments program all the
grievances of the Uitlanders, consti-
tutes a hint of the highest import. 1t
was unmistakable warning to the peo
pie of South Africa generally that the
Government has arrived at a fixed de-
cision, impossible to recede FROM and
there are not lacking indications that
the hint has not been lost sight of at
Pretoria.
Although it is difficult to separate
of the conflicting stories, it is the gen
eral impression of those in a position
to know that the conciliatory dis
patches which DR.. Leyds, the repre-.
sentative in Europe of the Transvaal,
received June 14th, represents the true
situation, while President Kreuger's de-
FAINT speech Of the same day was mere
ly intended for home consumption. The
opinion is now growing that the delay
necessitated in awaiting Sir Alfred Mil
ner's full report of the Bloemfonteine
conference will make room for pa
cific settlement. As an official in the
close confidence of the Government de-
clared, it would give President Kreuger
time to set his ilorse in order
But, unless the talked of concessions
are speedily inauguIated, momentous
consequences are expected The posi-
tion in England of the Secretary Of
State for the Colonies, Joseph Cham
berlain, however, is readily declining,
and the emphatic suggestion is heard
in influential quarters to transfer the
conduct of the negotiations from the
Colonial to the Foreign Office.
With reference to the reports that
the cruisers Albany and New Orleans,
purchased here by the United States
Government have been found too heavy
and unseaworthy, the correspondent of
the Associated Press saw Colonel
Watts. the Naval Constructor of the
Armstrong;, who said: IF the Albany
and New Orleans are unseaworthy,
many of the ships of the British navy,
built at the same date, are also USE
less. as the Albany and New Orleans
were built from designs sanctioned by
Sir William White Chief Naval Con-
structor. and bear comparison in speed
and every other essential with any
vessel of their class built at that date"
Tod Sloan promises to have rival
in little Reiff, who was accorded a
most enthusiastic reception when he
won the new biennial stakes at Ascot
June 14th on Sir Waldie Griffith's
chestnut filly, Betty Field. He looked
like child of 10, and was all over
the place with the filly, but straight
ened her in workmanlike fashion, and,
riding in Sloan's style. won very easily,
whereupon the women cfeered even
more than the men. Such recognized
authority as George Courtello says
that, looking at Reiff's weight, skill
and self possession, there must be
great career before him.
The Duke of York has decided that
his son Edward will ultimately enter
the army and join the Tenth Hussars,
of which the Prince of Wales is Col
onel and the late Duke of Clarence an
officer. This decision it is said, has
greatly disappointed the navy
The watchword has gone out that
neither Tammany nor Howard Gould
will have the lakes of Killarney. The
Duke of Westminster and others OF
the National Trust Society have ac-
lively taken up the matter, and at
meeting on Thursday it is expected the
Duke will announce plan for saving
the lakes to the nation.