The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-08-22
The Transvaal Ruler Only Par
TALLY Accedes to Demands.
A DEFIANT REFUSAL PROBABLE
Violent Outbreaks Feared Along the
Frontier, AS the Scum of South
Africa is Enlisting in
the Army

CapetoWn, August 2l.-The report that
the Transvaal government had handed its
reply to the British agent at Pretoria, to
be forwarded to Sir Alfred Mines, British
high commissioner for South Africa and
governor of Cape Colony, is confirmed. 1t
IS believed, however, that the proposition
of Great Britain for a joint commission
to investigate the effect which the fran
chise reform would have on the Uitlanders
has not been accepted but that fresh pro-
posals have been advanced.
According to Afrikanker's report, the
Transvaal's reply is counter proposal of
five years retrospective franchise in the
election of the president and increased rep
resentation. 1t is said that the suggestion
is made to submit all other differences to
arbitration.
London, August 21.-The colonial office, In
;onfirming the dispatch from Capetown,
saying the Transvaal government had
handed its reply to the British agent at
Pretoria, says that Sir Alfred Mildner has
telegraphed a message to that effect. All
the officials of the colonial Office would
say in regard to the matter was 1.-THE
ply is not complete acceptance of the
proposal of Mr.. Chamberlain, secretary of
state for the colonies"
Court of Inquiry Refused
There is no longer any doubt that Presi-
dent Kruger has refused to submit to the
demand of Mr.. Chamberlain for the ap-
pointment of court of inquiry. He may
have done SO diplomatically OF hedgingly,
but that mis- answer is regarded by the Brit
ish government as tantamount to positive
refusal is now an established fact. The
colonial office is normally non-commfttal,
but there are other evidences which amply
justify the statement The report that
President Kruger has proposed new terms
is somewhat verified by the guarded COM
ment OF the colonial officials and the irit-
ability displayed. There Is not the slight
est doubt that they now believe war is the
only way to settle the controversy.
They would rather, far rather, have a
curt, defiant answer than the temporizing
reply which the Boer president has sent.
With the former Great Britain would have
plain grounds for a quick commencement
of hostil.ties. Under the circumstances
which IT is believed now exist, aggressive
action needs considerable explanation to
justify it In the eyes of the world and the
English majority, who stil declare that
war would be an outrage. However,
MIR. Chamberlain has his way, 1t is believed
President Krugers counter proposals will
meet with scant attention, and unless the
Beers completely back down, which is not
likely the crisis will quickly develop into
war.
Kruger's Cupidity and Hypocrisy
IT has developed that the war officers
have been aware of the nature of the
Transvaal's intention for several days and
that 1t was communicated to the war de-
partment, hence it is thought that Great
Britain will delay the denouement as little
possible. A high colonial officer of the
government expressed to a representative
of the Associated Press his disgust at what
he termed "Krugers cupidity and iypoc-
risy."
He said: 1.-THE kind of game which Kru-
ger Is playing must be clear to the Ameri-
cans. The pro teStations of the Beers that
they wish to live a quiet agricultural life
may be rue of some of the veldt, but the
gang in Pretoria is simply after money.
Though President Kruger says many harsh
things Of the Uitlanders, he never hesitated
to make money out of them, either by fair
or foul means This Transvaal question
cannot be judged by recent occurrence. You
must go back fifty years. 1t has been
hanging fire all that time, and the sooner it
is settled now the better"
Though the official did not actually say
so, II was clear that he believed was was
the only method of settlement.
1t is learned that the government is some
what annoyed at the publics slight in
terest in the Transvaal. The official above
quoted said to the Associated Press rep
resentative: "Dreyfus seems the only one
that our people think about though Eng
land is in a most serious crisis. This in
difference is perhaps TYPICAL
A special dispatch from Cape Town says
there is great danger of an outbreak of
violence on the frontier and that the scum
of South Africa are enhsting throughout
the colony and are being sent to Pitzani
and Jameson on the border