The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-13
THE TRANsvAAL SITUATION.

THE TRANSVAAL SITUATION.
According to the dispatches the United
States have not been asked TO act as me
dtator between Great Britain and the
Transvaal. but there seems to be some
| probability that they will be asked. There
| is a feeling not only in England but also
in Germany that they could settle the
differences between the British government
and the government of the Transvaal sat
isfactorily to both parties. They are on
the most friendly terms with Great Brit
ain, and being a republic, is thought
they would be acceptable TO the Beers.
! Under the circumstances the position would
! be very delicate one, but it is one they
would hardly refuse TO hold Being strong
advocates of the arbitration of interna-
tional difficulties they could not refuse
without giving setback to the princl-
| pie of arbitration.
Just at present the situation in the
Transvaa has a warlke aspect. The
British government has about il 900 men in
the Transvaal under an experienced com
mander. and il is sending fresh troops
there all the time. Every steamer from
English ports to South Africa carries
arms and ammunition, which shows that
the British government is determined 20
be prepared if war should be determined
upon. 1t is the understanding that the
Transvaal republic could put about 1900
fighting men in the field. The Beers make
excellent soldiers-fully as good as the
British soldiers. Being in their own coun-
try and being animated by the feeling
that they We're lighting for the control of
their own affairs it is probable that it
would take an army twice as large as that
which they could put into the field to
conquer them. Mr. Chamberlain. the
British colonial secretary, advises an ag-
gressive policy According TO his view,
Great Britain should give President Kru-
ger fixed time-say month or six weeks
Ito agree 10 accept the terms demanded
by Great Britain. and that war should
be declared against the Transvaal If
he refused 10 yield within that
time. Lord Salisbury, however. favors
a more conservative policy, and he is
supported by a majority of the cabinet.
He seems to think a way will be found
out of the pending difficulties without re-
sorting TO war. Those who have had deal
ings with President Kruger, and, there
fore. know what a determined old man he
is. feel certain that Lord Salisbury is mis-
taken, and that eventually he will have
to give up the things for which he is
contending or else gain them by means
of war
There is some justice in the demands
which Great Britain is making There
ore more foreigners in the Transvaal than
there are Beers. and they own about four
ffths of the property. They don't own
four-hfths of the land because as a rule,
they live in the cities and villages. but
it is said they own fully half of the land
As much as 80 per cent of the foreigners
are British subjects. These foreigners
are not permitted TO exercise any of the
privileges of citizens and they are much
more heavily taxed than the Beers. Nat
urally, they feel they have a grievance
and they are insisting that Great Britain
which pretends TO have shadowy sort OF
control of the TransvaaI, shall see to It
that they have the rights which, as Brit
ish subjects, they are entitled to.
1t is alleged that the British government
is somewhat to blame for the present con-
dition of affairs because il has not always
insisted upon having its pretentions in the
Transvaal respected. 1t doesn't appear
to have paid great deal of attention to
the affairs of the republic until the discov-
cry of gold and diamonds there caused a
great inflow of foreigners. immigration
was not desired by the Beers, but they
couldn't check it. But they made che for
eigners pay the taxes without letting them
have voice in public affairs That, of
course, made trouble.