The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-16
REPLY FROM THE TRANSvAAL.
DOM PAUL BOLDLY STANDS ny LON.
DON CONVENTION.

Cause for War.
London, Sept. 16.-A dispatch from Pre-
toria says:
''The Transvaars reply will be on the
following lines: The Transvaal adhere TO
the seven years franchise law, but Is will
Ing to consider, and If necessary, to adopt
any suggestions Great Britain may make
with regard to the working of the law.
In regard to the other points of Mr..
Chamberlain's dispatch, the Transvaal
boldly stands by the London convention.
Il is said that the reply is couched in po-
lite terms.
state Secretary Reitz, in the course OF
an interview to-day, expressed some doubt
as TO whether any alteration would be
made in the existing franchise law. but
said he believed a way should and could
be found to establish an arbitration court
AS to suzeralnty. the least said the soonesl
mended, remarked the state secretary"
In the forecasts of President Kruger's
reply there is undoubtedly a large bass of
truth which seems TO bring the dispute
within measurable distance of war.
The morning paper editorials regard the
crisis as having reached its most acute
phase. 1t is understood that a cabinet
council win be summoned as soon as the
Transvaaf reply is received.
Blue Book Issued.
London, Sept. ia blue book contain
ing the last Transvaal dispatch Of the
secretary of state for the colonies, Mr.
Chamberlain, relating to the matters
which led up to the dispatch being sent
was issued to-day.
The text of Mr.. Chamberlan's note is
Identical with the dispatch as cabled to
the Associated Press Sept. 13. The only
important feature revealed Is a telegram
from the British high commissioner, Sir
Alfred Miner. dated Aug 81, referring to
the commercial distress and saying:
II am receiving representations from
many quarters to urge the imperial gov
ernment to terminate the suspense. Brit
ish South Africa is prepared for extreme
measures, and ls ready to suffer much
more in order to see the vindlcatlon OF
British authority. II is the proongation
of the negotiations endless and indecisiye,
that is dreaded. l fear seriously that
there will be a strong reaction of feeling
against the policy OF the imperial govern
ment II matters drag"
The blue book throws no new light on
the situation as 1t is to-day, except TO
show that the commissioners patience
has reached the ebbing point
Kruger warmed Up.
A published interview with President
Kruger, said 10 have taken place a Pre-
toria yesterday, is far more important
He is quoted as saying:
Il have tried all along to place the
aliens in the Transvaal on the same foot
ing politically as the burghers. Mr.
Chamberlain says / have not kept my
promises. This" thundered President
Kruger, Il deny"
Continuing, President Kruger is report
ed to have added:
THE aliens of the Transvaal have the
same commercial rights as the burghers,
and have always enjoyed them without
interference | wanted to let them have
the same political rights, but they would
not avail themselves of this. Roughly
there are more than $4,000 aliens who have
been here more than seven years and have
registered, thus being eligible to the fran
CHS. Yet of the British subjects who
have avaled themselves of it, the chief
part have been Afrikanders and not Eng
lish-born. This shows that the British In
the Transvaal do not want the franchise.
I'm my opinion there Is no cause what
ever for war. Everything could be sc tied
by arbitration
Protest Against Delay.
second edi ion Of lhe London Times To-
day prints a special dispatch from New
castle. Natal dated Sept. Is, when bears
out the British nigh commissioners state-
ment as II says The Outlanders' council
has transmitted 10 the imperial govern
ment what practically amounts to a pro-
test against further delay.
The Times correspondent adds:
There is nothing TO confirm the reports
that The Beers will concede Mr.. Chamber.
lain's demands. on TIE contrary it Is stat
ed that 1900 men viii te dispatched 10 the
border Immediately after tho rrausvaafs
reply is sent. Everything points TO the
prospect Of an early conflict"
The adyices from Cape Town to-day tend
10 confirm the pessimstic view of the
Times correspondent at Newcastle. The
news that a strong force OF Beers has been
stationed one hour from Ramathlabama.
commanding The Pretoria and Johannes
burg roads, has created great indignation
at Cape Town
Troops Loudly Cheered.
The First Battalion OF the Manchester
regiment arrived at Cape Town to-day,
disembarked and marched through the
streets. The soldiers were wildly cheered
After they had been reviewed by Lieut.
Gen. Sir Frederick Walker commander of
the British troops in South Africa The
battalion re-embarked and proceeded to
Natal These troops. forming the first in
stalment Of the achievements, were sent
from Gibraltar TO Cape Town.
The colonial Office has not yet received
The formal reply Of the Trnnsvaal, and
the consul general OF the Trensvaal here,
Mr. Montague White, does not expect It
tonight
SIN Making Prepa ratiOns.
Pretoria, Sept. 15.--The executive Is stll
considering the final reply to Great Brit
ain.
All the commandants have been asked 10
send immediate returns Of ali the burgh-
crs available for military duty.
At the close OF the discussion both
Raads met 10 secret session 10 discuss The
final draft OF the Transvaal reply, which
win be handed 10 Mr. Conyingham Greene
the British agent here, IN the morning. Ii
Is understood the reply Is courteous. urges
the acceptance Of the joint conference and