The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-23
TRANSVAAL'S LAST CHANCE
LATEST TERMS OFFERED TO THE
BOERS BIZ ENGLAND.

Report That They Must BE Accepted by Oct.
B-After That Date England May Begin
to Move Troops-Results of the Cabinet
Moeting-Suggestion OF n Great South
African Dominion Hopes of Penco Still.
Sseeiar Gable DcipatcAes TO TEE Sos.
LONDON. Sept. 22.-Great interest was shown
In to-day's meeting Of the Cabinet and crowds
began to gather in Downing street several
hours before the regular time for the arrival OF
the Ministers. II was expected that the delib-
erations would be OF q decisive character. As
the Ministers arrived they were cheered en-
Enthusiastically. Colonial Secretary Chamber
lain got particularly warm reception.
The Cabinet met at 1890 o'clock In the
Foreign Office and sat for two hours. The
Transvaal question was OF course the principal
subject under consideration. No official state
mont has been issued as to any decision that
was reached. but 1t is understood that % i'm
mediate action will be taken until tho military
preparations have been further advanced.
The news agencies have received no infQg-
nation concerning the action taken by the My
listers. The consensus OF opinion. however. is
that no ultimatum has been agreed upon or
sent to the Transvaal. 1t is believed that de-
spite the critical situation the resources OF
negotiation have not yet been exhausted.
LONDON. Sept. 22.-The Pail Nall Gdzette
says that the Cabinet was summoned to con-
slider an dd interim despatch OF Colonial Score
tary Chambcrlain's. which. 1t 10 said. met with
the unanimous approval Of the Cabinet. This
despatch will be published by the Transvaal
Government. probably by next Monday or
Tuesday. The Gazette continues:
We will not be surprised fit 10 found neces-
sary to proceed with Arm insistenoe on the
Ala Al al. - f,t~.
Republic to status as a sovereign. international
State. We believe that this concludes with the
intimation that her Majestys Government is
engaged in drawing up its own terms. and
these will be received shortly. All this. how
ever. Is conjecture"
Gen. Sir Redvers Butler who few days ago
was appointed Commander OF the British
forces in South Africa. will not, It Is said. start
for his post at present.
Adespatch to the Pail Mall Gazette from Cape
Town says 1t Is stated there that the Transvaal
Government has assured its supporters In the
Orange Free State and In the Cape Colony that
it will not begin war. II the British attack
the Transvaal. however. the Beers expect that
all the Dutch in South Africa will support them.
LONDON. Sept. 23.-No formal official state
ment as to tho decision OF the Cabinet has
been made. but a paragraph has been issued
official quarters. which is identical with YER
sion that appears In the Times This says:
"A despatch will be sent to the Government
OF the South African Republic In answer to It's
recent despatch. and q strong protest will be
made against tho accusation OF bad faith
against Mr.. Greene. The despatch ex-
presses profound regret because Of
the refusal by the South African Republic Of
tho offer OF her Majesty's Government. and
states that her MaIssty's Government will now
proceed to formulate It's own proposals for a
settlement. These proposals will be consid-
cred at a later Cabinet meeting"
The Chronicle prints q version OF the Cabi-
nets action similar to that published in the
Times. It says that It has confirmed from
sources Of its own the statement that the
Cabinet was summoned to consider an ad in
terim despatch. which. after denying the right
Of the South African Republic to be considered
a sovereign State. declaring the confidence of
the Imperial Government In Mr.. Greene and
expressing the willingness OF Great Britain
to arrange conditions OF arbitration subject to
the prompt acceptance Of other conditions. will
indicate that such acceptance should not be
delayed as the Ministers are now engaged In
drawing terms to cover the entire question.
With reference to these new terms the
Chronicle says that they will be OF much
vious ones. They may even aim at the
consolidation Of the whole OF South Az
rica into dominion. In which there
shall be no room for doubt as to
the authority OF the paramount power
and the solidarity OF interests without regard to
conventions. The paper adds that the Cabinet
will probably allow the Transvaal week to
consider its propositions. Until the latter are
formulated there will be no movement OF
troops In England or India except OF those al
ready notified.
II an answer Is not received by Oct. 5. Gen. Sir
Redvers Butler will embark for South Africa
and an army corps will be put in motion.
The Cabinets decision yesterday will give
the South African Republic chance Of accept
ing the old terms within i've days.
The Daily Netos's information Is almostiden-
teal with the foregoing. The paper says that
the ad interim despatch was cabled to Pretoria
yesterday afternoon.
correspondent at Cape Town cables that
he has seen letter from President Kruger to
an intimate friend. In which he says that
things are serious and will be more serious.
but that there will be q peaceful settlement
after all.