The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-15
TO DEFEND THEIR CAPITAL.
a THOUSAND B0RRS AT WORK ON
TRENCHES AROUND PRETORIA.

volksraad Considering the Reply to BE
Made to British Demnnds-An UnQunlio
fed Acceptance Not Probabie--Hitoh on
SsecfaI csbs Ds,ydtsh to THE Sun.
LONDON. Sept. ia despatch to the Daily
Mems from Cape Town says that thousand
men are engaged in STRENGTHENING the
trenches. earthworks and other defen ces
Pretoria.
The Pretoria correspondent OF the Chronicle
says that Sir Alfred Miner disavows the state
ment that Great Britain gave the Transvaal
only forty eight hours in which to reply to
her last note. The suggestion OF that
time limit made by Mr.. Conyngham Greene.
thu British Agent at Pretoria. was apparently
unoff1oial. The Transvaal representative re-
piled when the suggestion was made: III
that 10 serious our answer will be ready In
forty-eight minutes"
The oorrespon dent adds that President Krn-
gers intimates are pessimistic regarding
the outcome OF the situation. The Boer
leaders say that the principal difficulty
10 that Sir Alfred Miner has not re-
vealed Great Brltain's final. definite wishes
His and Mr.. Greene's eontinusdireHection on
the sincerity and Intelligence OF the Beers
mako diplomatic action extremely difficult.
A despatch to the Times from Pretoria says It
Is very doubtful whether unqualified acce ptance
to tho British minimum demands will be
given by tho Beers. 1t is the general feeling
in the Raads that i've years franchise
would not be a settlement in view OF the fact
that the proposal 10 made q condition prece-
dent to the discussion Of other matters which.
In the absence Of specific assurance. might
embrace other internal affairs.
The 1iniess Paris correspondent says he
has reason for stating that NJ. Delcasse. Min
ister Of Foreign Affairs. has directed the
French Consul at Pretoria to use his influences
in favor OF the acceptance by President Kruger
OF the British proposals.
PRETORIA. Sept. 14.-Both yolksraads were
in secret session to-day. All the members OF
the Executive Council were present. 1t is I'M
derstood that an arrangement will be reached
regarding the question Of arbitration. and that
the Transvaal Government is willing to par
tioipats in Joint commission.
The hitch will occur mainly on the question
Of the Ave years franchise. 1t Is not antiei-
pated that tho reply OF the Transvaal Govern
ment to Colonial Secretary Cham berlains last
despatch will be ready before to morrow.
BLAEMFoNTEIE. Orange Free State. Sept. IA.
The N emil ers OF the Rad OF the Orange Free
State have been notified to be ready to attend at
moments notice an extraordinary session OF
that body. The Orange Free State burehers
held a meeting yesterday and resolved to
stand with the Transvaal in case OF HOSTILE
ties.
BARCELONA. Sept. 14-The Catalan party is
preparing a message to President Kruger de-
olaring thatit supports the Beers in their at
titude. and urging them to declare war against
Great Britain.
PARIS sept. 14-The Temps advises the
Transvaal that the only way OF foiling the
plans OF her enemy 10 to disregard the form
OF Mr.. Chamberlain's latest commune
cation and to keep resolutely to its
substance. namely. the very text OF
her own note OF Aug. 10. 1t says that the
Transvaal 10 now called upon to grant what she
offered q month ago sho need only refer to
that and offer to renew it and accept the con
sequences.