The times., 1899-11-05
A rRANsvAAL Concession.
m English story of Dom PnHl's
ShreHvaucsS.
(From the Toronto GIobe.l

(From the Toronto Clube)
An exceedingly curious and interesting
story about President Kruger has been
related by a resident Of Toronto, who has
spent a number of years in South Africa.
and is well acquainted with conditions in
that part of the world. The story was re-
lated to him by one OF the principal actors
in the incident, whose name the informant
mentioned, although il would not be Ju-
dicious to give it publicity II viii suffice
10 say that the name was instantly recog-
nized as that of a person who is exceed
ingly well known in connection with South
African affairs. 1t may be added that the
story, so far as is known, has not been
published
In 1884 Paul Kruger. JOrisseH. and two
other delegates from the TTansvaal were
in London negotiating with Lord Derby
the famous London Convention which has
been so assiduOusly canvassed and quoted
of late No one has ever accused the
burghers of the TrarsyaaI Of being an
especially doeue set. and during the ab
sence of Kruger and his fellOw-leaders one
of the not infrequent civic commotions
took place at home Not particularly i'm
portant in itself. it had the disagreeable ef-
feet OF stopping supplies for The country 5
uuartette OF diplomats and Dom Paul and
his friends found themselves stone-broke.
They could not pay their hotel bill, and
their circumstances were awkward in every
way.
At this juncture the Englishman appear
ed on the scene He was staying in Lon
don. was familiar with South Africa and its
public men. and knew the Transvdal dele
gates we'll. He became aware of the scrape
in which they found themselves. An acute
business man. he saw an opportunity. II
was before the days of the Witwatersrand.
and the Transyaal government was ekins
out It's insufficient income by grants Of mo-
nOpOlies and concessions.
The Englishmsn had an uncle, a wealthy
Yorkshire wooden manufacturer. Enlist
ing his Uncle's aid, he made proposition
TO Mr.. Kruger The two Englishmen would
pay the obnoxious hotel bill, and would
supplement il with a cash gift OF 900.
In return they asked a concession for the
monopoly Of the wool manufacturing and
the wool washing of the Transvaai, in
which it is 10 be reCOliected. considerable
flocks of sheep are kept by the Beers. Mr.
Kruger thought it over and accepted The
hotel bill was wiped of the books. The
thousand pound check found It's resting
place Thus provided with the sineWs OF
war Kruger and his fellow delegates con
tinued the negotiations ne LoAuoA COA-
ventiou was signed
The Englishmen went ahead with their
plans They intended to erect mill TO
manufacture Of certain woolen goods that
would find a local market, and to control
the export of the surplus wool. They were
to get 2 certain tract of land seyenty-hye
ocres in extent. The city of Johannesburg
today stands upon that tract They bought
their machinery and were ready to ship it,
Just then they mentioned their good bar
gain TO a friend who was an official in the
colonial office
"As an official" observed that friend
..rny mouth is closed. But speaking as a
friend. don't ship that machinery until the
concession is ratified by the Volksraad."
Second thoughts prevailed The English
men waited The Yolksraad met, and Presi-
dent Kruger submitted the proposed con-
cession TO them. exhibiting no warmth in
its advocacy. The YOlksraad threw it out
summarily. The Englishmen were glad
that they had rot shipped that machinery.