The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-09
KRUGER ms OBSTINATE.
RnITTsH COMMISSION COULD GET 10
CONCESSIONS.
The Usssv FasIare 81 the Conference
Leaves the TPansvaal situatlon
. Dan9eeoos One-TAe Beer r1eo-
lAent : Wantea m Arbitration.

LONDON. June S-Adyfees today from
South Africa, emanating from British
sources. SHOW more completely the utter
failure OF tn ereccns conference at Bioem-
fonteiY. between Presiden; Kruger and the
British high commissioner. Sir Alfred Nil
Fer.
TIE London afternoon papers all refer to
the dangerous situation
A dispatch from Mates Fonfein says
Sir Alfred Miners proposals included
granting the Uitiandcrs addifionaiA seats
IN the Rand district, and that President
Kruger, under pressure. finally offered
three additional seats. The British high
commissioner thereupon pointed OUT the
inadeQuacy OF The presidents proposals.
adding that he had come 10 the conference
In the hope OF being able 20 inform her
mAjssty's government taat the president
afford such liberal measures Of reform a.
would enable the Uiilanders 20 help them
selves and relieve the government OF Its
obligations TO intervene in order TO redress
particular grievances
Throughout. 1, is added. President Kru-
ger sought 10 use the franchise proposal a.
the means OF obtaining = promise 10 seize
arbitration, but the British commissioner
refused TO treat the two subjects an inter
dependent. taking the ground thai internal
reform In the Transyaal was necessary In
any case, IN order to preserve the indie
pendeHce Of the republic. and as regards
arbitration there were certain questions
upon which X could not be admitted, while
admissible. provided suitable tribunal
was suggested not involving the intfeduc-
ton Of foreign power. which the govern
ment would never allow.
Mofn1ng Papers Talk War.
LONDON, June s-The morning papers
are beginning 10 talk seriously OF the pos
sibiiity Of war in South Africa. Mr.. Cham
oeria'n. secretary OF state for the colo
MES. in his speech In the house Ct com
mons yesterday. announced that his reply
TO the petition OF the Citlanders, which
had been held hack pending the result OF
the conference at Bioemfon;ein would now
be presented TO the Trznsvaal
TliS reply Is semi-oHscialiy described as
explicit but conc!lia;ory." but II II believ-
ed 10 be In the nature Of a practical ulfi-
maium. The resources Of diplomacy are
the conference. Nothing Is left. IL is felt,
but recourse 10 force.
Commenting editorlaiiy on the situation,
the Daily Nail says:
III We know our Kruger Alright, he will
back down. and IL not. why
The Daily Chronicle deprecates Mr..
Chafnheriain's wariike attitude, but does
not deny the gravity OF the situation. and
seriously counsels the Beers to grant rea-
sonabie reforms "as the only means Of pre-
serving. their independence against the
plots OF the stock exchange and the vio-
ierce of Downing street.
The Standard reminds the TrAnsvaal that
lie Independence Is not absolute. but Is
contingent en- a faithful execution OF the
agreement stiPnlating equal rights for all
white Inhabitants.
Let Mr.. Kruger grant the Cttlanders
fuil citizenship. and the whole question Is
ended. AT present he only offers a note
OF hand fer ridiculous sum. payable
many years hence. In return for our imme-
date abandonment OF all the equal rights
We now possess for enforcing the payment
OF debts long overdue
The Cape Town correspondent OF the
Times says:
''At the close OF the conference Mr.. Kru-
ger declared that he was pleased at the
friendly way in which the matters had
been discussed. and hoped they would un-
derstand each other better in the future"