The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1899-09-09

PRETORIA, Sept. 1.-The proposed con-
ference mentioned in the Transvaal's last
despatch is the one mentioned by the Sec
retary of state for the colonies, Mr.. Cham
berlain, on July q. It is declared officially
that the Transvaal republic will accept
such a conference as soon as informed Of
the place, date and name of the members
who are to take part in it.
There was great excitement in the first
Raad today on Mr.. Coetzer's interpell-
alton of the government regarding the
presence Of British troops on the borders
and the stoppage of ammunition consigned
to the Transvaal. s. g
President Kruger, the members Of the
executice council and most of the prin-
cipal officials were present, with large
representation of the general public in
Guiding many ladies at the outset the
chairman and president urged members
to preserve calmness and to adoid in
sulting language.
The state secretary, F. M. Reitz, said
he had called the previous day on the
Greene, and had asked him what reply
the government could give in the Volk-
raad regarding the attempted massing of
Ou luo UOIueIS, dtlu WNcluei
Mr.. Greene would communicate with the
British high commissioner, Sir Alfred Mil
ner. The reply from Mr.. Greene, he con-
. s,sn sad. haG s.been received this morning
s'Dear Mr.. Reitz: The following Is Sir
Alfred Miners reply to the telegram I
sent him at your request: Il do not know
to what Mr.. Reitz refers when he alludes
to the massing of troops in South Africa,
the position and numbers of which are no
secret; but it is a matter of common
knowledge that they are here to protect
British interests and make provision
agains eventualities, s>iy
Mr. Coetzer and other members then
MADE violent speeches, declaring that they
could not understand Sir Alfred Miners
reply since the Transvaal had never threat
ened the British colonies.
ut is time" exclaimed Mr.. Coetzer,
"for the Transvaal to also prepare for
eventualities.'
One member said: "England's action is
like pointing a revolver into a mans
face"
These speeches and others attacking
Cecil Rhodes were loudly app!auded by
the public.
In the course of the debate Mr.. Dutoit
fnsinuated that Mr. Chamberlain was i'll
toxicaIted on the occasion of his recent fa-
mcis "Garden party speech" at HUI 15ary.
his Birmingha. residence, and he :dde:
a; he had been acting the Transvaal wocld
give him "Mauser pills."
The debate continued throughout the af-
ternoon. .
Mr. Tosen, who declared Sir Alfred
Miners reply was tantam'ount to a decla-
ration of war, read telegram from the
field cornet of the Pietrof district, saying
the people would rise lin rebellion if Pres
ident Kruger went to any conference.
The chairman called Mr.. Tosen to order
for saying that the Jameson raiders ought
to have been hanged.
Mr. J. NJ. Wolmarns, one OF the two Of
fetal members of the executive council.
counselled prudence and moderation. He
said it would be we'll for the Raad to
choose whether the republic should offer
further concessions or not.
President Kruger rose and said:
''The- foreigners have been offered con-
cessons and have refused Mr. Chamber
lain demands the franchise which the Uit-
landers do not want. What Mr.. Chamber
lain desires is possession Of the Transvaal
The Burghers are willing to concede much
for the sake of peace, but will never sac
rifice their Independence.
After eulosizing Mr.. Gladstone's action
of retrocession in 1881 4 noble action,
President Kruger said that if it now came
to fighting the Almighty would be the ar
foter. He urged the members of the Raad
to show moderation, reminding them that
the reply of Mr.. Chamberlain was en- route
and pointing out that if the proposal for
conference was agreed to the republic could
elect delegates to further discuss matters
and if possible to make peace.
The speeches after the presidents ad-
dress We're more moderate in tone and the
Raad rose without passing any resolution.