The San Francisco call., 1899-09-22

BLOEMFONTEIN, Orange Free
State, Sept. 21.-The Volksraad met to-
day with a full attendance President
Steyn read a carefully prepared speech.
After welcoming the Burghers he eX-
pressed regret that the relations be-
tween Great Britain and the Transvaal
had become strained. The members,
he said, were aware of the meeting OF
Sir Alfred Miner and President Kruger
at Bloemfontein when President Kru-
ger made proposals. which, although
refused by the British commissioner
were unanimously considered through
out the Orange Free State to be ex-
ceedingly fair.
Proceeding to review the negotiations
President Steyn said the Transvaal had
been decoyed by the British diplomatic
agent at Pretoria. Conyngham Greene,
and he practically accused the 1mpe-
rial Government of a breach of faith.
He said he was disinclined to advise
the Transvaal Government to accept
the latest British demands. The pres
ent critical state of affairs could not be
a matter OF indifference to the Orange
Free State, which was bound by treaty
to afford assistance to the Transvaal
and he had, therefore, convened the
Volksraad to decide what attitude
should be taken.
There is nothing" declared the
President, that warrants war or an
attack on the Transvaal Such differ
ences as exist can be solved by arbitra-
ton. War would be an insult to re-
ligion and civilization"
In conclusion President Steyn said
he would take this opportunity of lay
ing certain draft laws before the Volks-
raad for consideration, praying God to
give the members strength to pass reSo-
lutions not only conducive to peace and
prosperity, but also in the interest of
their beloved State.
Immediately after the speech Presi-
dent Steyn asked the Volksraad to go
into secret session, which was agreed
to unanimously.
LONDON, Sept. 21.-While the pre-
else result Of the secret session of the
Raad of the Orange Free State is not
yet known here, President Steyn s
speech at the opening of the session is
regarded as an almost infallible indi-
cation of the attitude which the Free
State will take.
Commenting from this point of view,
the London morning papers are all I'M
pressed with the added gravity Of the
situation and murmurs are beginning
to be heard regarding the dilatoriness
Of the Government in getting troops
forward. The military men are said to
be impatient. They assert that every
thing is ready and that they are only
waiting for orders.
It Is recognized that the attitude of
the Orange Free State makes the orig
inal estimates based upon Dutch neu-
trality too small. Evidently much
larger force will be required.
The Government is faced with some
thing like a dilemma. The leader of
the opposition has publicly denounced
the precipitancy of the Colonial Office
in forcing on a conflict. Therefore Min
listers are disinclined to convoke Par
lament. If, on the other hand. so large
an expenditure as the apparent atti-
tude of the Orange Free State would
involve should become necessary. the
Government would be obliged to sum-
mon Parliament in order to get ade-
Quate supplies. 1t is understood that
the money question accounts for the
dribbling manner in which the troops
are being forwarded.
German military experts realizing the
seriousness of the campaign before
Great Britain are commenting with as
tonishment upon the fact that England
is so behind hand in her preparations
In Berlin it is also believed that Dr.
Leyds is acting as President Kruger'S S
evil genius and that he is leading him
by reports that he is likely to get SYM
pathy, If not assistance, from some. of
the European powers.
No member of the Cape Cabinet was
present at the meeting of the Afrikan-
der members Of the Cape Parliament
yesterday
A dispatch from Pretoria announces
that arms continue to be served to the
burghers.
CAPE TOWN, Sept 21.--Sir John
Gordon Spriggs, leader of the opposi-
ton in the Cape House of Assembly.
and former Premier and Treasurer of
Cape Colony, in an interview to-day
said:
IT have no doubt that a portion of
the population of the colony would be
actively anti British in the. event of
war with the Transvaal. I do not an
ticipate rising, but some Of the young
and impulsive Afrikanders would prob