The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-10-18

1u i:HCA, osiItoi! II s u SoO1 IL i-oioN, 80
South Africa, to the secretary OF
state for the colonies, apd received
at 6.45 this morning:
:sSir: The government OF the
South African republic feels itselfcom.
PEELED to refer the government of her
majesty. Queen of fGEeat Britain and
Ireland, ooce more to the convention
of London 1884, concluded between
this republic and the United King
dom. and which in article XIV.
secures certain specified rights to the
white population of the repub.
lie. namely, that all persons
other than natives On conforming
themselves to the laws of the South
African Republic
A-Will have liberty, with their
families. to enter. travel or reside in
any part of the South African re-
public.
B-They will be entitled to hire
or possess houses, manufactures,
warehouses, shops and other prem.
ises.
C-They may carry on their COM
merce either in person or By agents
whom they may think fit to employ.
D-They shall not be subject ih re.
spect of the premises or property, or
in respect of their commerce and in
dustry, 10 any taxes other than those
which are. or may be, imposed upon
the citizens of the said republic.
''This government wishes further to
observe that the above are the only
rights which her majessy's government
have reserved in the above convention
with regard sotbe Oa.lander population
of this republic and that violation
only of those rights could give that
government right 10 diplomatic repre-
senta.ioes or intervention while,
moreover, the regulation Of all other
questions affecting the position of the
rights of the Ouslander population,
uuder the above mentioned convention
is handed over to the government aad
representatives of the people of the
South African republic.
Among the questions. the regulation
of which falls exclusively within the
competence Of this government aud of
the volksraad, are included those of the
franchise and the representation of the
people IN this republic and, although
this government aud of the volksraad
for the regulation of the franchise and
the representation Of tins people is
iudisputable, yet this government has
foupd occasion to discuss. 10 friendly
fashion. the franchise aud representa-
ton of the people with her majesty's
government without, however, reccguiz-
ing any right thereto on the part of
her =ajessy's government.
.'This government also has. by the
formulation Of the nov existing fran
chise Law and by resolution With
regard 20 the representation, constantly
held these friendly discussions before
IT'S eyes. On the part Of her majesty's
government, however. the friendly na-
.,ure Of these discussions mas assumed
more and more a threatening tone, and
the minds Of :he people of this repub-
lie aud the whole of South Africa have
been excited aud condition of extreme
tension has beeo created owing to the
fact shat her majesty's government
could no longer agree to the legislat,oa
respecting The franchise and the res
olusion respecting representation 10 this
republic, aod 6ually by your note OF
Sept. 25. 1899. which broke Of all
friendly correspondence 90 the subject
aud intiusted that her majessy's gov
e,pmens must now proceed to formulate
their owu proposals for the 6nal settle
mens.
"This government can only see in
the above insimtion from her mejesty's
government new violation of the con-
vsnsion Of London, 1884, which does
not reserve 20 her majesty's governmen,
the right to settlement of question
which is exclusively domestic one for
this government aoG which has alreaoy J
been regulated By this government.
"On account of the straioed situation
aud the consequent serious loss in and
Interruption Of trade in general, which
the correspondence respecting franchise
and the representation of the people OF
this republic had carried in its train
her majesty's government have pressed
for an early settlement aDd finally
pressed. By Jour Intervention. for an
answer within 4S hours. demand
subsequently somewhat modified. TO
your tote Of Sept. 2, replied to by the
cote Of this government of Sept Is,
aDd to your note Of Sept %. 1899 ;
aad thereafter further friendly negot;a-
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