New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-22
WAR THOUGHT TO BE INEVITABLE.
NEVERTHELESS. THERE IS A MARKED
LACK OF EXCITEMENT IN ENGLAND

NEVERTHELESS, THERE IS MARKED
LACK OF EXCITEMENT IN ENGLAND.
London. Aug. 21.-There is no longer any
doubt that President KRUGER has refused TO sub
nit TO the demand Of Joseph Chamberlain FOR
the appointment Of Joint court Of inquiry. He
may have done so automatically or hedgingly'
but that his answer is regarded by the British
Government as tantamount TO a positive refusal
is now an established fact. The Colonial once
is normally non-committal. but there are other
evidences which amply justify the statement
The report that President Kriger has proposed
new terms is somewhat verified by the guarded
comment Of the Colonial Office officials and the
irritability displayed there. There is not the
slightest doubt that they believe war Is now the
only way 10 settle the controversy. They Would
far rather have had defiant answer than the
temporizing reply which the Boer President mas
sent. With the former Great Britain would have
plain grounds for quick commencement OF nos
tilites Under the circumstances which II Is De-
lieved now exist aggressive action needs consid-
erabe explanation 70 Justify it in the eyes OF the
world and the English minority who still de-
clare war would he an outrage. However. II
Mr. Chamberlain has his way. IL is believed
President Kruger's counter proposals VIII meet
with scant attention. and unless the Beers COM
pletely back down which Is not likely, the crisis
will quickly develop into war.
It gathered that the Colonial Office has been
aware OF the nature Of the Transvaal's reply for
some days. and II was communicated TO the
War Oflce. hence it Is probable Great Britain
Will delay the denouement as little as possible
A high Colonial official frankly expressed to-
day his disgust Of what he termed "Kruger's
cupidity and hypocrisy" lie said:
IND go vrb &C. he Il
be clear 10 Americans. The protestations Of the
Beers that they wish 20 live quiet agricultural
life may be the tune Of some on the Vedt. but
the gang in Pretoria Is simply after money
Though President KrGger says many harsh
things OF the Outanders. he never hestated 70
make money out OF them either by fair OF foul
means
This Transvaal question cannot be Judged by
recent occurrences. You must 20 back hfty
years. It has been hanging fire ever since. and
the sooner 1t Is settled now the better
Though the official did not actually say So II
was clear that he believed was the only
method % settlement.
II was learned that the Government IS some
what annoyed az the publics slight interest in
the Transvaal The official quoted above said:
'Dreyfus seems the only thing our people
think about though England IS In a most seri-
Gus crisis This Indifference IS perhaps typical"
4 dispatch from Cape Town says there is great
danger OF an outbreak OF violence the from
tier and that the scum Of South Africa are en-
listing throughout the colony and being
sent 10 Pitsani and Jameson. on the border
The Colonial Office In confirming the dispatch
from Cane Town saying the Transvaal Govern
rnent had handed it's reply 10 the British Agent
al Pretoria. says that Sir Alfred Miner has tel
egraphed a message 70 that effect All that the
officials OF the Colonial Office would say in re-
gard 70 the matter was: The reply is not
complete acceptance Of the proposal OF MI
Chamberlain"