Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-09-18
BOER REPLY TO JOHN
Understands That Chamberlain
Has Sent an Entirely New
Proposal.
THINKS BRIToNs HARD TO PLEASE.

Says the Last Boer Proposal Was Framed
After Hearing Officially What Would
lie Satisfactory to the British Govern
ment, and Framed in That Line-Rejects
the Demand for Five Years Franchise
and Quarter Representation in the
z.aad for UItIanders.
London, Sept. 1S.-The 1'ransvaal
situation remains practically un-
changed General apprehension in
regard to the outcome is reflected by
the decline in consols and stocks on
exchange. where. although stocks con-
tinued depressed, there was not the
slightest approach to excitement.
The text OF Kruger's reply was is
sued by the secretary of state for the
colonies this afternoon, but adds moth
ing of Importance to the summary
cabled the Associated Press last even
ing. The language in many places is
taken to indicate firm, unyielding
position. The evening papers all in
dicate the seriousness of the crisis,
but the St. James Gazette SAYS: 1T
need not be imagined that anything
will he done on our side in a hurry.
Unless the Beers take the offensive
negotiations will be prolonged until
the reinforcements now enroute reach
South Africa
London. Sept. 1S.-The South Afri-
can crisis caused an all-around weak
ness in stocks today. Consols were
very flat and kafiirs much depressed.
Paris, Sept. 1S.-Business on the
bourse today was dull and kaffirs were
fiat
h1 I,a-
from South Africa this morning talk
of the imminence of hostilities and
the preparations for them.
An official telegram posted at YOllis-
rust says that the Transvaal, with the
assent of the Orange Free State, re-
pudiates British suZcrainty and ad-
heres to the seven years franchise.
at Cape Town it is reported that
HOfmeyr, the Afrikander leader, wrote
to the Orange Free State president,
eutreating him to do his utmost to
preserve peace, but received in answer
the words Too late"
London. Sept. 1S.-The Morning Post
says: The Beers mean to fight. That
is the plain English OF it."
Pretoria. Sept. 1S.-The reply of the
government of the South African Re
public to the latest dispatch, dated
Sept. II, of the British secretary of
state for the colonies. after acknowl-
edging the receipt of the British note,
proceeds in part as follows: THE
government deeply regrets the with
drawal. as the government under
stands il, of the invitation contained
i'll the British dispatch Of Aug. %. and
the substitution in place thereof of an
entirely new proposal The proposals
now fallen through-cOntained in the
TranSvaal dispatches of Aug. 10 and
21 We're elected from this government
by suggestions made 10y the British
diplomatic agent in Pretoria (COnyng-
ham GreeueJ to the TranSvaal state
secretary If. w. ReitZI-suggestionS
which this government acted upon in
good faith and after specially ascer
tanning whether they would be likely
10 prove acceptable to the British gov
crnment.
Has Assurances from Chamberlain
This government had by no means
en- intention To raise again needleSSly
the question of its political status. but
acted with the sole object Of endeavor-
ing by the aid OF the local British
agent To put an end to the strained con
dition of affairs. This was done in the
shape of a proposal which this govern
ment deems. both as regards its spirit
and form. to he so worded as-relying
upon intimations TO this government
would satisfy her mujesty's govern
ment. This government saw diff
Guilty as 10 the acceptance of those
proposals by the people and Legislature
of the Transvaal. and also con-
templated possible dangers connected
Herewith. but riSked making them on
account of a sincere desire to secure
peace. and because assured by Mr..