Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-18
IT IS DEFIANT.
Continued from page ~
THE TRANSvAAL'S REPLY.
Regrets EngIand's Change Of Front and Prac
ticaIly Declines TO Accept.

Pretoria, Sept. 1.-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, Mr.. Joseph
Chamberlain, after acknowledging the
receipt of the British note, proceeded in
part as follows:
The government deeply regrets the
withdrawal, as the government under
stands it, Of the invitation contained in
the British dispatch of OAug 23 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 Aug. u, were ELECTED
from this government by suggestions
made by the British diplomatic agent
in Pretoria (Mr Conyngham Greene)
to the Transvaal state secretary (Mr.
F. w. ReitZ) suggestions which this
government acted upin in god faith and
after specially ascertaining whether
they would be likely to prove accepta-
BILE to the British government. This
government has by no means an in
tention to raise again needlessly the
question of its political status, but act
ed with the sole object of endeavoring
by the aid Of the local British agent
to put an end to the strained condition
of affairs.
This was done in the shape of pro-
posal which this government deems
both as regards its spirit and form,
to be so worded as, relying upon init
nations to this government, would sat
isfy Her Majesty's government. This
government saw difficulty as to the
acceptance of those proposals by the
people and Legislature of the Trans
vaal and also contemplated possible
dangers connected Herewith but risk
ed making them on account Of a sim
cere desire to secure peace and because
assured by Mr.. Chamberlain that such
proposals would not be deemed a re-
fusal of his proposals. but would be
settled on their merits.
AS regards the joint commission the
TranSvaal adheres to the acceptance OF
the invitation thereunto given by Her
Majesty's government ana cannot I'M
derstand why such commission which
before was deemed necessary to ex-
plain the complicated details of the
seven years law, should now BE- deem
ed unnecessary and why it should now.
without such inquiry. be thought pos
sible to declare this law inadequate.
Further. there must be a misappre-
hension. If it be assumed that this
government was prepared TO lay pro-
posals for n five years franchise and
a quarter representation Of the new
population before the NOlksraad for
unconditional acceptation. AS to the
language. this government never made
any offer such as is referred TO. CON
sidering. as il did. such a measure both
unnecessary and undesirable.
The proposed conference. as distinct
from the joint commission OF inquiry.
this government is likewise not unwiil-
ing to enter upon: but the difficulty is
that an acceptance thereof is made de-
pendent upon the acceptance. on the
side of the Transvaal. of precedent
conditions which this government does
not feel at liberty to submit to the
Nolksraad. and, moreover. the subjects
to be discussed at the conference re-
manned underlined.
This government ardently desires
and gladly accepts arbitration. as its
firm intention is to adhere to the terms
Of the London convention Of 1854
The dispatch concludes by trusting
that the British government on recon-
sideration. may not deem 1t fit to make
more onerouS or new proposals but Will
adhere to Great Britain's proposal for
q joint high commission of inquiry as
previously explained by the secretary
of state for the colonies to the imperial
Parliament"