The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-08-19
DOM PAUL'S REPLY.
war with England Depends Upon
kruger's Answer to Joseph
Chamberiain's Proposition.

Stidf1 OeT1dln PrODOSttlOn,
Pretoria, Aug. 15.-The Volksraad has
amended the gronwet constitution of the
South African republic), compelling per-
sons who are not burghers to cooperate
with them in the defense of the national
territory and the suppression of rebellion.
war itself could not be as bad for
johannesburg as the present state of
suspense and waiting. Nobody will buy
anything from paper of pins to Il 1000
horsepower dynamo until after the war
Is over This is the phrase on every
Sodys lips. Houses are closed and de
serted. Streets are half empty. Clerks
IN shops wait listlessly for the customer
who never comes. The shop windows
are pastered over with signs announcing
reductions, sales, bargains, etc. And, III
short, ruin StareS the Johannesburg mer-
chant i'll the face. To describe this
Whilom fiourlshing city in one word one
would say that it was blighted.
In England the South African capital
lists are stirring up the great English ma
chime 10 work for their ends. while Cham
berlaln Is counting on using the capital
lists for his imperial schemes, and Cecil
Rhodes hopes to use both clements to
promote Il war which shall divert public
attention from the failure of lshodesia.
The Liberals and Irish are stirring a lit
tie III opposition and the Dutch of the
Cape. Natal and the Free State are be
ginning to ask rs blood thicker than
water!'
The last but not the least interesting
or important feature in the situation Is
that the dusky aborigines on the out
skirts of the scene are beginning TO
seethe with their long-suppressed hatred
Of the whites and lust for killing. Per
hapS their time has come. they say, to
win back their land and their freedom to
be as savage as they like. Every week
whole troops and tribes of boys are de
scrtiug the mines and returning to their
people
The Basutos southwest of US have 4
we'll drilled army of 10000 warriors,
armed with modern firearms and mount
ed on excellent horses. The Iulus to the
southeast are nearly rs we'll off, while to
the north the MatabeleS. SwaZieS and
kindred tribes are biding their time.
Their particular hatred is the Beers. but
when killing time comes anything that Is
white will do.
But the whole question is merely a
cloak to cover the real desires and de
signs of the British government The vic
tory of the Bond party i'll Cape politics
"a rcvulSion from Rhodeism) was a Sc
we're blow to the present party In power
in England. which thinks British intiu
tIltt Ill NputH Africa very lluCn iiuItl
lied thereby. If the present government
could strike a swift, successful blow at
the Transvaal it would thereby gain four
ends-it would add one of the richest
gems to the imperial crown: it would
show the Bond who was master in South
Africa; it would make Il valuable connect
ing link between BritishAfTican terri
tories, and it would wipe out some of the
old scores between the English and the
IranSvaal BoerS-SCoreS from which the
British still smart.
Never since the English first came into
this country about ten years ago and
opened up the gold fields have either the
Beers with anything but contempt and
insult. The tone of the whole dipo-
matte correspondence is that which only
Il powerful nation would dare to take
with one vastly inferior in strength, the
tone Of the big bully to the weak boy.
The executive council concluded its ses-
sion at ESQ y. m, when orders We're IS
sued to the field comets to give out
MauSer rifles III exchange for Martini
Henry rifles. great crowd gathered to
receive the arms. The possibility of war
with Great Britain is about the only sub.
iect discussed. and it is generally felt the
burghers should be considered before eN-
treme measures are adopted.
Johannesburg Aug. 15.-The Transvaal
government is purchasing all the mules
nnSSihlc, paying as high ar t-D tor each
animal.
Cap" Town. Aug 15-No reply has
been received here up 10 the present from
the TranSvaal government on the subject
Of the latest British proposals for Il peace
able settlement of the questions in dis
pute. and Il dispatch from Pretoria says
the reply, when sent. will be disappoint-
ing and that il Is feared the result will
he the breaking off of negotiations Great
anxiety prevails 1T the capital of the
TranSyaal.
London. Aug 15-The Transvaal crisis
now hinges entirely upon Kruger'S reply
to Chamberlain 5 proposed commission.
1t is expected that Thursday dispatches
from Johannesburg will declare the stu
alton is drifting beyond the possibility of
negotiations and that an ultimatum is
imperative. The Johannesburg Standard
supports this theory. 1t says the crisis
has entered 4 new phase. Many think
the reforms can be obtained only by a
firm. straight demand. The Standard in
clinpS TO the belief that the Beers will
not back down, but will fight The opn-
ion in London does not accept this, but
rather expects an all-around easing of
the situation during the vacation, al
though the reasons for expecting such de-
yplopmcntS are not apparent
London. Aug. 15.-Maj.-Gen Sir Viii
liam Francis Butler, who it was an
nounced yesterday in dispatch from
C,apn Town to the Associated press,
would he relieved as commander of the
British troops in South Africa, as Il re-
suit of his alleged Boer Sympathies, has
been recalled. and Sir Frederick Walker
has been appointed To replace him. Gen.
Walker is recorded as one of the ahleSt
generals in the army. His appointment
H. h.