Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-22


toria. to be forwarded to Sir Alfred Mil
ner. British High Commissioners for South
Africa and Governor OF Cape Colony, Is
confirmed.
IL is believed, however. that the pro-
positions OF Great Britain for a Joint COM
mission 10 investigate the effect which
the franchise reform in general would
have upon the Outlanders have not been
accepted. but that fresh proposals have
been advanced.
1T LOOKS LIKE WAR.
LONDON. August 2l.--There is no long
e, any doubt that President Kruger mas
refused to submit TO the demand of MI.
Chamberlain for the appointment or
court Of inquiry. He may have done so
automatically, that his answer is regard
ed by the British Government as tanta-
mount TO a positive refusal Is now So
tabllshed.
The report that President Kruger has
proposed new terms Is somewhat veri-
fed by the guarded comment of the Co
lonial Office officials and the irritabiity
displayed there There is not the slight
est doubt that they believe war is now
the only way to settle the controversy.
They would far rather have had curt
defiant answer than the temporizing
reply which the Boer President mas sent
with the former, Great Britain would
have plain ground for quick commence
nent of hostiltles. Under the circum-
stances which it IS believed now exist
aggressive action needs considerable leg
islation TO Justify It in the eyes Of the
word. and OF the English minority who
still declare that war would be an out
rage. However. II Mr.. Chamberlain has
his way. II Is believed President Kruger's
counter-proposals will meet with scant
attention. and unless the Beers complete
ly back down. which is not likely, the
crisis will quickly develop into war.
NO DELAY OF DENOUEMENT.
1t is gathered that the Colonial Office
has been aware Of the nature Of the
Transvaals reply for some days. Hence
It is probable that Great Britain Will de-
lay the denouement as little as possible.
THE KRUGER GAME"
A high Colonial Official frankly ex-
pressed his disgust at what he termed
"Kruger's cupidity and hypocrisy" He
said:
The kind Of game which Kruger Is play
ing must be clear to Americans. The
protestatlons Of the Beers that they wish
to live u 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
harsh things OF the Outlanders, he never
hesitated to make money out or them
either by fair means or foul.
This Transvaal question cannot be
Judged by recent occurrences. You must
20 back fifty years. 1t has been hanging
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 ne believed war was
o. oil a cafflpnonf.
PUBLIC INDIFFERENT.
It is learned that the government is
somewhat annoyed at the public's slight
! interest in the Transvaal. The official
above quoted said to an Associated Press
representative:
The Dreyfus cease seems TO be the
| only thing our people think about. though
| England Is in a most serious crisis. This
| Indifference is perhaps typical"
A special dispatch from Cape Town
says there is great danger Of an out
| break of violence on the frontier, and
that the scum OF South Africa are enlist
ing throughout the colony. and are being
sent TO Ptsani and jameson, on the
border.
| PRAYER FOR PEACEFUL SOLUTION
CAPE TOWN, August A.-Sunday was
observed throughout the Orange Free
] State and Cape Colony with nuihilidIiVh
! prayer. and sermons advocating peace
| full solution of the crisis.
There is evidence of growing uneasi'
ness at johannesburg. Great crowds
gather at the railroad station, express
| ing disapproYal at the departures for
| Cape Colony and Durham. Natal.
BOERs SUGGEST ARBITRATION.
According to Africkander reports. the
| Transvaars reply Is a counter proposal
OF a five years retrospective franchlse
in the election Of the President and an
| Increased representation.
1t is said thai the suggestion IS made
TO submit all differences TO arbitration.