Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-06-29
DEALING With BOERS
John Bull Appears to Be in the Presence
of Crisis.
THE UTTERANCES OF CHAMBERLAIN
He Speaks FeeIingly of the Transvaal
Observation-Disclosures of British Sub
jccts Said to Injure Their Nations
Prestige with the World-London Con-
vention is Violated.

BIRMINGHAM. Eng, June 27-Jo-
for the colonies, addressing the union
lists of this city, reviewed carefully the
Transvaal question.
In the course of his speech he said
that, owing to the enormous military
preparations of the government of the
South African republic, Great Britain
had been compelled to increase the
forces in Cape Colony and Natal, in
volving an expense of G500000 annu-
ally. If the reforms Lord Ripon had
proposed in 1884 had been adopted, he
said, there would have been no raid
and no crisis at this time. But the
raid tied the hands of the government
and prevented the application of pres
sure"
Mr.. Chamberlain said the govern
ment had tried to establish friendly
relations with President Kruger, but
all their advances had been received
with contempt. He then proceeded to
eulogiZe Sir Alfred Miner, governor
of Cape Colony and British high COM
missioner for South Africa.
The government accepted full re-
sponsibility for the actions of that Of
fetal AS for the counter-proposals of
Mr.. Kruger, they did not constitute
even a fair installment of reform.
After denouncing in the strongest
terms the attitude and actions of the
Beers, Mr.. Chamberlain, with great
elaboration and emphasis, added:
"The Transvaals enormous secret
service fund has procured it friends
Nd oIy tn, hn
way the British subject there is treat
ed is not only a menace to them all,
but interferes with our prestige among
the natives, who now regard the Beers,
and not the British, as the paramount
power"
Beside the breaches of the London
convention, the Transvaal is flagrantly
violating the equality that convention
was intended to secure. Its misgov-
ernments is fostering sore, poisoning
the whole atmosphere of South Africa.
-Four times since the granting of
independence we have been on the
verge of war with the Transvaal. 1t
is erroneous to say the British gov
eminent wants war, but it is equally
erroneous to say that the government
will draw back now that 1t has put its
hand to the pillow.
1T is hoped the efforts now being
made will lead to an amicable settle
ment, for Great Britain only wants
justice, but there comes a time when
patience can be hardly distinguished
from weakness, and moral pressure
becomes a farce that cannot be con-
tinued without loss Of self-respect. I
trust that time may never come in this
instance, but if it does Britons will
insist upon the means to find a result
essential to the peace of South Africa"
The speech was warmly applauded.
In reply to a vote of thanks, Mr..
Chamberlain said he felt strengthened
and encouraged by their confidence
and support. He had spoken from the
heart, because he believed the empire
We; at critical turning point and the
whole world was watching to see how
it would issue from the difficulty.
ut is my belief" said he in closing
that the country will show itself not
unworthy of its glorious history and
traditions"