The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-01

the TransvaA1 Situation
England NOT 60 Turn 6ack-Tke 1ns
dian Mint TO Remain Closed


London, July 2s--In the house of
commons today the colonial office vote
furnished the liberals with an oppor-
tunity for a debate on the governments
policy in the Transvaal.
II. CampbeH-Bannerman, the liberal
leader, said he thought that in view
of the negotiations pending. r~eticence
and reserve must rule debate. While
he did not sympathize with Boer oppo-
Sition to franchise extension he saw
nothing from the beginning to the end
OF the story to justify armed interven-
ton, The speaker pleaded for further
friendly and prudent action through
Dutch s-ympathizers at the Cape.
The secretary OF state for the COL
onies, Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, opened
his speech in reply by declaring that Sir
H. embellishments language
was calculated to embarrass the &C
ton Of the government.
The grievances Of the Uitlanders, Mr..
Chamberlain said, were admitted on all
hands to be serious; but the moSs seri-
GUS part was that the outrageous treat
ment to which they were subjected was
part OF the settled policy pursued by the
~ "0S ~
imperial interests. Mr.. Chamberlain
justified the right of intervention; first
ly, because 1t was the right of every
civilized power to protect its own sub
jects;t secondly, because Great Britain
had the right Of Intervention under the
convention as h suzerain power; and:
thirdly, because the convention had
been broken in letter and in spirit.
In dealing with the latest proposals,
Mr.. Chamberlain aid President Kru-
ger has invited friendly advice and the
government has thought itself justified
in appealing to him that a joint inquiry
should be held. These proposals were
with the view of determining what rep
resentation will be Immediately given
aliens, which can be the only basis Of
satisfactory settlement. II h inquiry
is accepted, experts will be appointed,
and the government hopes that then it
will be possible to reach an agreement.
In any 81 the government will press
for necessary alterations in order to Sc
cure the objects in view. We have un-
dertaken the cause of the Uitlander and
are bound to see it through. We shall
not rest until a conclusion satisfactory
to us has been reached. l anticipate
that the efforts will be successful; but
will not tie our hands in regard to the
measures that may be necessary to full
fill anticipations.'
The house adopted the colonial Office
vote without a division after a pro-
tracted debate upon h South African
policy Of h government.
In the house of lords today the Earl
of Camperdown called attention to the
Transvaal situation. The Earl of Dun
raven and others followed.
All declared hat any departure from
the recognized policy of the government
| would be an act of inestimable danger
to the position of Great Britain, not
only in South Africa, but it might
shake the imperial existence of Great
Britain itself.
| The Earl of SeEborne, under secretary
for the colonies, made a statement SIM
liar in purport to that made in the
house of m by Mr.. Chamberlain.
Lord Salisbury reminded the house
that he absolutely dissented from the
| policy of 1881, which was tainted with
! the grave fault of optimism. He agreed
| that if the latest concessions were gen.
might look forward to a peaceful sOlu-
| ton of the crisis. Her majesty's gov
! eminent, he said, had put their hands
to the pillow and certainly did not intend
to withdraw them.
Regarding the dispatches of Lord
| George Hamilton, secretary of state for
| indian viceroy, the premier said the re-
port of h committee on the India cur
rency says the government has decided
to maintain the closing of h minis and
directs him to take necessary steps tC
make a sovereign legal tender at the
ratio OF fifteen rupees to the sovereign.