Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-05

II il Regarded as Intended Merely
Ia Gain Time.

PRETORIA. September 4.-The reply Of
the Transvaal republic to the demands
of Great Britain increases the number OF
years residence necessary in order to OBJ
tain the frarchise
KRUGER. PLAYING FOR TINE.
LONDON, September A dispatch
from johannesburg TO Reuters Agency
definitely announces that the reply Of the
Transvaal TO the British communication
withdraws the franchise proposals ana
agrees in principle TO a conference at
Cape Town.
The afternoon papers take the view
that If the foregoing dispatch is correct
President Kruger's reply Is ominous, as
IL was palpably made TO gain time. Sir
Alfred Miners suggestion of further
conference at Cape Town was instlgated
with the sole purpose Of considering de-
tails. and for the enforcement Of the con-
cessions offered by the Beers.
II these concessions are withdrawn
there can be no object. from a British
point of view. i'm parleying longer.
WANT TO BEGIN ALL OVER AGAIN.
The only inference to be drawn is that
the Beers have taken Mr.. Joseph Cham
berlain. the Secretary Of State for the
Colonies, at his word in a broader sense
than he intended, and that they now
want to begin negotiations over again,
on an entirely new basis.
The shrcwdness Of this reported move
Is not likely 10 save IL from being inter-
preted by the British Government as
thnly-vciled defiance, and unless 1t Is ac-
companied by an agreement to further
confer. it would generally be taken as
sufficient cause for Immediate hostiiites.
A fyI 81 . 4
Regarding the exact terms Of the reply
I'm question reports continue mystifyinS
and contradictory but all agree that the
excitement in Johannesburg is undated;
that the exodus from that city IS con-
tinuing and that the distress there Is in
creasing Cabegrams from Boer and Bril-
fish South African sources detail war
preparations on all sides.
RESERVES TO BE CALLED OUT?
LONDON. September 4.-The Secretary
Of state for the Colonies, Joseph Cham
berlain. arrived in London this afternoon,
and at once proceeded 10 the Foreign Or
flee. II is understood that he will remain
here until the end of the crisis.
The War Office refuses 10 confirm the
rumor that q proclamation will be issued
calling out the reserves.
TRANSVAAL TEMPORIZING
PRETORIA. September 4.-In the course
Of an interview to-day State-Secretary
Reitz said the Transvaal Government was
waiting until Saturdays dispatch reach-
cd the Imperial authorities before making
fits contents public. Without, however,
entering into details. he could say that in
his judgment the proposal Of the govern
ment offered Mr. Chamberlain an oppor-
tunitv Of coming TO n settlement regard
ing the franchise and other outstanding
questions. He could also say that the
Transyaal would take part In the sus-
gestcd conference. and was now awaiting
the Imperial Governments reply, In or
der to arrange the details as TO place or
meeting.
" WAR INEVITABLE"
LONDON. September 5.-The Johannes
burg correspondent of the Standard says
81 learn from an official who has been
earnestly striving for peace that the mat
ter is now hopeless. The Beers Will prob
ably declare war at forty-ei6ht hours
notice. and will try 10 raid Natal before
the British troops arrive.
L believe the Orange Free State VIII
1oin the Transyaal, but that The Beers in
Natal and the Cape Colony VIII remain
quiet at tho outset. unless irritated by
the dismissal of the Cape Colony Cabinet.
Beers CONFIDENT.
"The Beers have the fullest confidence
In their MAGAZINE rifles and their skill ia
craftsmanship. State-AttOrney Smuz Is
the chief nciter OF the war party. Thirty
thousand men I'm the Transyaal and
twenty thousand in the Orange Free
state will take the field
DISTRESS CAUSED BY TENSION.
The Times prints a letter from the
Bishop OF Pretoria, appealing for FUNDS
20 relieve the terrible distress caused by
the protracted tension and the fears OF
war.
4 dispatch to the Daily Mail from
DeIagoa Bay says the refugees from
Barbortou declare that they were warned
10 leave. as the Beers intended TO GORDON
tine district.