The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-09

Plan of Arbitration Not Acceptable
MT. Joseph Chamberlain's Explanation.
Special Gable Despatch to TIE Sun
LONDON. June o-The Daily Graphic. which
is not given to making sensational statements
and which is almost invariably Trustworthy.
says there Is good reason to believe that the
Government regards the situation created by
the breakdown OF the Bloemfontein negotia-
tons as exceedingly serious. The conclusion
has forced itself on her Majestys Ministers
that If the Transvaal persists in its present
Sttitude Great Britain can have no alternative
but to seek a solution OF the difficulty by force.
The question OF policy was practically de-
cided when the petition OF the Uitlanders to the
Queen was received. The petition and the
circumstances in which it originated were care
fully examined. The genuineness OF the doc
ument and theg "ance recited therein were
established beyond question. It was felt that
Great Britain could not leave the Uitlanders to
their fate Accordingly reply was sent. the
effect Of which was that Great Britain virtually
pledged herself to see that the legitimate de-
sires of the signers were satisfied
Before tho reply reached its destination the
proposal for a conference was received. The
British Government accepted the proposal
with alacrity. fully hoping that settlement
would result. Meanwhile the publication OF
these circumstances the Bloem;ontein CONFER
ence could not be regarded otherwise than as
the final act in the diplomatic stage OF the
drama
TT. sluestion Of the breaches OF the conven-
ton. which is the only ground on which Great
Britain can dictate to the Transvaal, was not
raised by the British High Commissioner at
the conference. because it was thought that IL
a fair concession was made In regard to the
franchise the Utlauders would be able to
look after their own interests under the
convention. Hence. notwithstanding the state
ments that Sir Alfred Miner raised. the ques-
ton OF the dynamite concession and proposed
arbitration Of the raid indemnity. only the
franchise question was discussed. President
Ernger's proposals. under this head have been
found altogether insufficient and ilusory.
Moreover. they are preceded by conditions
which are absolutely inadmissible by Great
Britain.
The present situation Is. then. that Great
Britain finds herself compelled to insist on the
immediate and complete fultilment OF the Lon
don Convention by the republic. In the event
OF any failure to comply with the demand COM
pulsion will have to be resorted to.
The Daily MaUclaims to have trustworthy in
formation that Sir Alfred Miner has placed his
back to the wall. and that he is supported to the
utmost by the Cabinet.
In the House OF Commons to-day Mr..
Cham berlain Colonial Seer tary referring
to the conference between President KrG-
ger and Sir Alfred Miner. said that Presl-
dent Rutgers alternative was considered
by Sir Alfred and the Government to be en-
tirely inadequate. Owing to an unexplained
cause the memorandum OF the conference
which was issued to the Cape press had not
been tclegraphed to London. consequently he
would In nhliraI IN unIar liability IN
correction. lie was unable to say whether or
not President Rutgers published statement
agrees with Sir Alfred Miners version. but
understood that the discussion had turned
mainly upon the question OF the franchise.
Sir Alfred Miner was of the opinion that the
exclusion of the Uitlanders from representa-
ton was the root Of the difficulties. and that it
desirable to arrange that point before
dealing with other questions. Sir Alfred Mil
ner. Mr.. Chamberlain said, had asked that the
franchise be given to all naturalzed aliens who
had resided in the Transvaal Republic five
years. with retroactive effect and that fair
amount OF representation should be conceded
to the new population.
President Ringers proposal was substan-
TALLY that aliens resident before 1890 might
naturalize and have the full franchise in two
years time: secondly. that the bulk OF the Uit-
landers could Ne naturalized in two years time
and receive the franchise five years alter In
effect they would have to abandon their pres
ent nationality and would not have the rights
OF nationality in the Transvaal with the other
conditions attached. According to this there
would be no change whatever for two years.
and then only in the case OF a small minority Of
the Uitlanders who had resided eleven years
in the TranRvaal
While these proposals. Mr.. Chamberlain
said. were subject to agreement with this
country. President Kruger intmated that he
would refer all the differences between the
Transvaal and Great Britain to tho arbitration
OF foreign power Sir Alfred Miner. how
ever. considered the proposals altogether in
adequate and informed President KRUGER that
his Government would not consent to the in
tervention Of any foreign power.
Among the news con corning the Transyaal
crisis the Chronicle prints the following:
The Government on Thursday asked we'll
known firm how soon and on what terms it
could supply 100 military transport wagons"