The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-05

Pretoria, Sept. 4LThe reply of the
1ransvaal Republic to the demands of
Great Britain increases the term Of
years residence necessary in order to
obtain the franchise.
CONCESSION WITHDRAWN.
London, Sept "A dispatch from
Johannesburg to- Reuters Agency def
nitely announces that the reply of the
Transyaal Republic to the British com
munication withdrawS the franchise pro-
rosals and agrees in principle to con-
ference at Cape Town.
The afternoon papers take the view
that il the foregoing dispatch is cor
rect, President Kruger's reply is omi-
nous, as it was palpably made to gain
time. Sir Alfred Miners suggestion
of a further conference at Cape Town
was instigated with the sole purpose
of considering details and for the en-
forcement of the concessions offered by
the Beers. Ii these concessions are
withdrawn there can he no object from
a British point of view for parIey-
ing longer. The only inference to be
drawn is that the Beers nave taken
Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain. the Secretarv
of State for the Colonies, at his word
i'll a broader sense than he intended, and
that they now want to begin negotiations
over again on am entirely new basis.
The shrewdness of this reported move
is not likely to save it from being in
terpreted by the British Government as
a thinly yelled defiance; and unless it
is accompanied by vague agreement
tn fIiyst hAV a4.f H.
he taken as sufficient cause for imme-
diate hostiIties.
Regarding the exact terms of the re-
ply III question, reports continue mysti-
Tying III contradictions, but all agree
that the excitement in Johannesburg is
unabated, and that the exodus from
that city is continuing and that distress
there is increasing. Cablegrams from
Boer and British South African sources
detail war preparations on all sides.
The Secretary of State for the
Colonies, Joseph Chamberlain, ar
rived in London this afternoon
and at once proceeded to the Foreign
Office. 1t is understood that he will
remain here until the end of the crisis.
In the course of an interview today
State Secretary Reitz said the TransvaaI
Government was waiting until Satur-
days dispatch reached the Imperial alL-
thorities before making its contents pub
lie. Without, however, entering into de-
tails. he could say that i'll his Judgment
the proposal of the Government offered
MIR. Chamberlain an opportunity of com
ing to settlement regarding the fran
chise and other outstanding questions.
He could also say that the Transvaal
would take part in the suggested confer
ence, and was now awaiting the Imperial
Governments reply in order to arrange
the details as to place of meeting.
AFFAIRS NOW HOPELESS.
London, Sept 4.-The johannesburg
correspondent of the Standard says:
Il learn from an official who has been
earnestly striving for peace THAT the
matter is now hopeless. The Beers will
probably declare war at forty-eight
hours notice, and will try to raid Natal
before the British troops arrive. | be
lieve the Orange Free State will join
the Transvaal, but that the Beers in
Natal and the Cape Colony will remain
quiet at the outset, unless irritated 10y
the dismissal of the Cape Colony Cabi-
net.
'"The Beers have the fullest confidence
in their magazine rifle and their skill
| in craftsmanship. State Attorney
Smuts is the chief incitor of the war
party. Thirty thousand men in the
| Transyaal and twenty thousand in the
| Orange Free State will take the field"