The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-10-19
THE TRANSVAAL'S
ULTIMA ATUM
DEFXING A. GREAT EMPIRE.
The Beers Demand that British
Troops Be Withdrawn and u Re
fusaI is Declaration Of War.


Troops Bo Withdrawn and u Re
fusaI Is Declaration Of War.
The ultimatum Of the Transv a"l
government to Great Britain was sent
to London on the 10th inst, and con-
tains the following
" Her majesty's unlawful interven-
tion in the internal affairs Of this re-
public In conflict with tne London con-
Vention Of 1884, by the extraordinary
strengthening Of her troops OF this
republic has caused an intolerable con-
dition Of things to arist, TO which this
government feels itself obliged, in the
interest not only OF this republic, but
also of all South Africa, to make an
end as soon ls possible and this gov
ernment feels itself called upon and
obliged to press earnestly, ana with
emphasis for All immediate termina
tion OF this state Of things and to re-
quest her majesty's government to
give assurances upon the following
four demands
" First-That all points of mutual
difference be regulated by friendly re.
course to arbitration or by whatever
amicable way may be agreed upon by
this government and her majesty s
government.
Second-That all troops on the bor-
withdrawn.
Third-That ali reinforcements Of
troops which have arrived in South
Africa since Juno l, 1899, shall be re-
moved from South Africa within o
reasonable time as agreed upon with
this government and with the mutual
assurance anu guarantee on the part Of
this government that no attack upon
or hostilities against any portion Of
the possessions Of Tho British govern
ment shall be made by this republic
during the further negotiations, with
in a period Of time 10 be subsequently,
agreed upon between the governments:
and this government will, on COM
pliance thercwitb, be prepared to with
draw the armed burEhers of this re.
public from the borders.
Fourth-That her majesty's troops
which are now on the high seas shall
not be landed in any part of South
Africa"
TO these demands Is appended the
definition OF the time limit for q reply:
"This government presses for an i'm
mediate and affirmative answer to these
four questions and earnestly requests
her majesty's government to return
an answer before or upon Wednes-
day, October llth, 1899, not later than
o'clock p. m.
1t desires further to add that in
the unexpected event OF an unswor not
satisfactory Jelng received by it with
in tho interval, 1T will with great re.
gret be compelled to regard tho action
of her majesty's government as 4
formal declaration OF war, and will not
hold itself responsible for the cOnse,
,quences thereof, and that in the event
of any further movement Of troops oc
curing within the above mentioned
time in nearer direction to our Dor
,ders, this government will be com
pelled to regard that also formal dc
clsration Of war;"
The points at issue In South Africa
and what has brought about cOndi
tion Of war arc contained in the follow
ing summary:
rainty over tho Transvaal under the
terms of tho convention of 1881. The
Boers dispute the claim, invoking th'
convention Of 1884, in which the tern
suzerainty" does not appear.
Second. Great Britain demands In
creased facilities for naturalization o
Outlanders. AT present Outlander
desirous Of naturalization must tax
an oath ren0uncing alleg lance to thei
former government, and then, alter |
years residence, provided thoy hav
tue aHlfuatlVc vote OF threo-fOurthS G
the burghers in their district, they be
como citizens of the South Africa
Republic. The Doors at ono point {
the negotiations offered TO reduce tn
probationary torn to five years, bu
tho latest advices are that they no
stick out for sevon years.
Third. Great Britain demands fc
the Outlanders a share in the electio
OF tho president and Increased repr,
sentation for the gold fields. Th
Boers say they are willing to conced
these point, but under condition
which the British claim arc likely
make the concessions illusory. Tt
British government wants to hay
this matter thoroughly examined,
as to insure the Outlanders gettin
the substance, and not merely tf
shadow, of their demands in this r
spect. Great Britain Is willing tn,
such an examination should not ser,
as q precedent for interference in tt
internal affairs OF the rransvaa
which the Beers argue would be I'll
case.