The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-28

orange Free states Efforts Mt Peace
,i,tnrt,', Attitude Toward the Transvanl
yp,aai CaSts D.spr'ct 10 THr SuS.
1,xrov. oct % 90 For the moment there Is n
,o,c f,',tc 'uIl III tho operations in Natal. No
o',Ie Borr'5 movements there reaches
Iorton. hut it is taken for granted that
"a. turghers are concentrating around Lady
,nth hsuops forcr is known to be in posi-
49,, ro,r E,ster's station. northwest OF Lady
sm'h.
rh.re ia an Aftermath OF narratives about
tina British retreat from Dundes which was
,r.ctnd in accordance with what was probably
tho last order issued by Gen. symons. who
tir.e,ed that he himself and all the other
..,arelv wounded. both British and Beers.
,houl1 be eft in the hospitals. The rstreatinE
tor,.. assume that the Beers did not pursue
,S.,ol.,au.e they suspected that the retreat
was aruse.
pavond a brisk sEirmish at Mactarlane's
YARN r4rthvard OF Kimberley. nothing OF i'm
rortapr. I, reported from that part OF the
country while the ominous silence continues
regarding MateEnp.
The Chronicle prints a 'ong despatch sent by
Pre.dent Steyn OF the orange Free State to
Sir Alfred Miner Governor OF Cape Colony and
Dritish High Commissioner in South Africa. on
SAINT 81 al tn. most critical period OF tho
negotiations 4 considerable part OF this de-
sp,tch was not transmitted to Colonial Secre-
,,ry Chamberlain by Sir Alfred owing to its
enormous length and it does not ep-
near in the British Bluebooks. The
Chronicle tulns up the consequences oil
the omissions thus: Parliament and the coun-
fry were prevented from knowing OF the sery-
ioe, President Stoyn rendered as ApeacemaEer
aud uegotiator and OF his declaration Of IN
broken friendship for Great Britain. The
paper says:
Neither Mr.. mbsrlAin nor the British
public have had before them the circu m
stance that President StSyn was in position
to secure assurances from the Transvaal OF
the latters unqualified acceptance OF
Great Brtains claim as tho paramount
power as defined in the Convention Of 1884
This ON ssion is OF enormous consequence in
face Of Mr. Chamherlain's despatch of Sept o.
In which he declares that Great Britain can
neverrecognizs the Transvaal as a sovereign
State.
President Steyr was prepared to give salts
factory assurances on this point. yet this vital
fact was kept from Mr.. Chamberain's knowl-
edge. So far we can see. the gulf which Mr.
Chamberlain described as separating him and
President Kruger would have been completely
bridged il the offer had been made known and
acted upon"
The Chronicle calls attention to what it regard,
as the extraordinary language Of the Queen's
speech. restore COOL government in that
portion Of my empire" The paper contend,
that this Ia certainly napplicable to Cape Col.
ony aud Natal. and SAYS that the only possible
conclusion is that it is meant to apply
to the South African Republic, II continues
IT Is ievldJut tina, the doctrine of suHo.
ralnty Is 10 be pressed In a new and
"Lttetne form. such u form. iudeel. AZ tc
justify the lnisgiviugs entertained by tn,
Transyaal throughout the negotiations
tho language q the sperch was designed
used it imports that the Government regard
the South African Republic as part OF tn
queens domin ions and the Beers as citi
Zsns OF he empire. What makes it tn
more extraordinary is that there was no hin
Of such claim in the Queens speec
at the opening OF the session. SO Parliamen
Separted without chance Of discussing o
protesting against the unprecedented as
sumption"
The Chronicle adds that the views expressed
by tare shared by high juristic authority.