The San Francisco call., 1899-09-08

CAPE TOWN, Sept 7
(midHght) ).-The Beers, it
is stated POSitively, are con-
centrating on the border,


Commissioner. Sir Alfred Miner. The
reply from Mr.. Greene, he continued,
had been received this morning and
was in the following terms:
Dear Mr. Reitz: The following is Sir
Alfred Miners reply to the telegram
which l sent him at your request:
Il do not know 10 what Mr.. Reitz re-
fers when he alludes to the massing of
troops. This must be the British troops
in South Africa. the position and numbers
of which are no secret, put II Is a matter
of common knowledge that they are mere
in order TO protect British interests and to
make provision against eventualiues.'
Mr.. Coetzer and other members then
made violent speeches, declaring that
they could not understand Sir Alfred
Miners reply since the Transvaal had
never threatened the English colonies.
1T is time" exclaimed Mr.. Coetzer,
for the Transvaal also to prepare for
eventualities."
One member said: "England's action
is like putting a revolver in mans
face"
Another concluded a warlike ha-
rangue in this strain: TT is time to
send our burghers to the borders to ask
these troops what they want. The fire
is bound to start. So let them light it
and allow 1t to burn out quickly. War
is better than the present state of af-
fairs Business is ruined and the pub
lain is trying to ruin the country.
These speeches and others attacking
Cecil Rhodes were loudly applauded by
the house and by the public.
The debate continued throughout the
afternoon.
Mr.. Tosen, who declared that Sir
Alfred Miners reply was tantamount
to a declaration Of war, read telegram
from the field cornet of the Pietreitief
district stating that the people there
would rise in rebellion if President
Kruger went to another conference.
The chairman called Mr.. Tosen to or
der for saying that the jameson raid
ers ought to have been hanged
j. NJ NJ Walmarans, one of the non
official members of the Executive Coun-
Gil, counseled prudence and caution. He
said 1t would be wise for the Raad to
decide whether the republic should con-
cede further negotiation or not.
In the course of the debate Mr.. Dutoit
insinuated that Mr. Chamberlain was
intoxicated on the occasion of his re-
cent famous garden party speech" at
Highbury, his Birmingham residence,
and he added that if Mr.. Chamberlain
continued to act as he had been acting
the Transvaal would give him 'Mauser
pills" which would be a good purga
tive. He urged the house not to be
frightened by the show of sending out
British troops, remarking that Mr..
Chamberlain must remember that
when a war had once started he would
have to fight the whole of Afrikander-
dom.
The chairman demonstrated with Mr.
Dutoit, observing that he thought the
members had gone too far.
Mr.. Tosen asked whether the Gov
ernment considered Sir Alfred Miners
telegram declaration of war.
Mr.. Wolmarans replied that person
lNt
the telegram was as inexplicable to the
Executive as to the Raad
Subsequently Mr.. Wolmaraps told
the Chamber that President Steyn of
the Orange Free State has said that
Portugal must be called to account for
stopping the passage of ammunition.
President Kruger, who was greeted
with loud cheers, began his speech by
/ saying that might was not right, but
that right was might and he knew the
Lord ruled and was righteous and
would give good Judgment.
President Kruger said "The aliens
have been offered equal rights with the
burghers, but have refused them. Mr..
Chamberlain is striving to get the
franchise, which the outanders do not
want, but what he really desires is
possession Of the Transvaal The
! burghers are willing to concede much
| for the sake of peace, but will never
| sacrifice their independence"
| After eulogizing Mr.. Gladstone's ac-
tion of retrOcession in 1881 as a noble
| deed, President Kruger said that if it
now came to fighting the Almighty
would be the arbiter He urged the
members of the Raad to show modera-
ton, reminding them that the reply
] from Mr.. Chamberlain was en- route.
and pointing out that if the proposal
for a commission were agreed to. the
republic. would send delegates to
| further discuss matters, and, if possi-
| BILE, to make peace.
The speeches following the Presi-
dents were more moderate in tone and
the Raad rose without passing any
resolution.
LONDON, Sept. S.-The Johannes
burg correspondent Of the Times says:
AS showing the mental attitude of the
Beers, l quote the remark of an in
huential Government official, sup
posed to be an enlightened man, whose
name, If disclosed, would cause sur