New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-07
TENT OF THE RESPONSE.
REGRET EXPRESSED AT INABILITY TO
ACCEPT PROPOSALS.

London, Sept. 6-Mr Chamberlain remained
At the Foreign Office until shortly before mid
night He declined to make a statement regard
ing the Transvaal situation but expressed a
desire to a copy Of the following transcript
| of the Transvaal Governments reply, issued by
| the Transvaal agent in Brussels tonight. which
was forwarded TO him:
In reply to the last dispatch Of the British
| Government. the Transvaal Government. on
! Saturday. handed to the British agent in Pre-
toria a response. Of which the following is the
| purport:'
THE Government OF the South African Re
public regrets that Great Britain is Of the opn-
! ion that ii is unable to accept the proposals
| made by the rransvaal in the dispatches Of
| August 10 and August y, by which the term
| for obtaining the franchise fixed at five
| years, and the representation Of the Witwaters-
rand District was increased The Government
regrets this the more nasmuch as IT considered
| Itself able to deduCe from the negotiations pre-
viOus to its formal proposals that the latter
would be accepted by the British Government.
I'm these conditions the Transvaal considers its
| proposals are annulled and finds ii necessary TO
submit them to the VOlksraad and the people.
| IT remains Of the opinion that its proposals are
extremely liberal and more extensive than those
presented by the British High Commissioners at
Bloemfontein. II is also OF the opinion that
the conditions attached to these proposals are
reasonable.
HOPE FOR PEACE EXPRESSED.
The Transvaal never desired Great Britain to
abandon any rights possessed by virtue Of the
London Convention Of 1854 or by virtue Of in
ternational law. The Transvaal still hopes that
these declarations will lead TO a good under
standing and a solution Of the existing DIM
Culties.
with regard to the question Of suzerainty the
Transvaal Government refers to the dispatch OF
April 16 1898, and considers 1t unnecessary to
repeat that dispatch The reply then proceeds
TO say:
The Transvaal Government has already made
known to the British agent its objections TO
acCepting the proposals contained in the British
High Commissioners telegram or August :.
suggesting the appointment OF delegates 10 draw
up a report on the last electoral law voted by
the Voksraad II the sided examination re-
ferred TO in the last British dispatch should
show that the existing ol9cto' al iaw can ne made
is ready 10. make proposal to the Voksraad
with this object. 1t is also disposed TO furnish
all the information and enlightenment possible.
hut is Of opinion that the result OF such an
inquiry so far az regards a useful appreciation
Of the law will be Of little value. Nevertheless
the Government is very desirous Of satisfying
Great Britain in the matter Of the electoral law
and the representation Of the mining districts.
WAITING FOR OTHER PROPOSALS.
THE reply then refers to Mr. Chamberlains
proposals respecting joint inquiry. and says;
considering that by these proposals Great
affairs Of the Transvaal, and that the action
would not be regarded as a precedent, but has
solely for its object 10 ascertain whether me
franchise law fulfls it's purpose, the Transvaal
Government will await the Interior proposals or
Great Britain as to the eventual constitution or
such commission. well as the place and time
Of meeting
'"The Transvaal Government further proposes
at an early date to send fresh reply to the
letter Of July 27, and expresses satisfaction that
Great Britain has declared readiness 10 neeo-
tiate on the question Of a court Of arbitration.
II SAYS It would like to learn however, whether
fhe Free state hurghers would he admitted to
such a court and what would he the scope of
tho courts discussions. IL appearing 10 the
Transvaal Government that the restrictions I'M
nosed Will prevent the attainment Of the objects
aimed at with regard to the ulterior confer
ence the Transvaal awaits the communications
Of Great Britain"
The Brussels agent of the Transvaal says that
in making its recent proposals the TransVaal
Government has acted on the advice Of the Brit
ish agent in Pretoria Conyngham Greene