The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-16
1t VIII Also, 1t II Said, Announce that
the south African Republic Stands
by the London Convention.
IF THE BOERS CONTINUE TX HAGGLE
OVER BRITAIN's DEMAND.
War Preparations Continued by Both
Sides-situation Deemed Grave at
Observation-Disclosures Blue Book.

~
LONDON, Sept. ia special dispatch
from Pretoria says: The Transvaars re-
ply will be on the following lines: The
Transvaal adheres to the seven years fran
chise law, but is willing to consider and,
if necessary. to adopt any suggestions Grear
Britain MAJ make with regard to the work
ing of the law. In regard to the other
points of Mr.. Chamberlain's dispatch. the
Transvaal boldly stands by the London con-
vention. 1t is said that the reply is couched
In polite terms.
State Secretary Reitz, in the course OF
an interview to-day, expressed some doubt
as to whether any alteration would be made
in the existing franchise law, but said he
believed a way should and could be .Jund
to establish an arbitration court. As to suz-
erainty, the least said the soonest mended,
remarked the state secretary"
In the forecasts of President Kruger's re-
ply there is undoubtedly a large basis of
truth which seems to bring the dispute
within a measurable distance Of war.
Last evening the press association issued
a curious statement 70 the effect that as
soon as the garrison In Natal had been suffi-
GENTLY strengthened the Transvaal govern
menI WOulQ nc CdllcQ vi W oNCCPt a new
convention, already drafted. which. while
guaranteeing the integrity Of the Transvaal
state, provides for the demolition of the
forts and limits the armed force Of the
Transvaal to a number deemed sufficient to
maintain internal order. According to the
Press Association the convention will de-
mand that the diplomatic agencies be sup
pressed and the judiciary be more i%ndepend-
o,< 80 A. a~aox,ffxa This cfafernenf wbich
realizes the extreme demands of the uitland-
ers. must be accepted under reserve at the
present stage, but 1t is not unlikely to be a
semi-of1cial hint as to the next move of the
government should President Kruger prove
obdurate.
The morning paper editorials regard the
crisis as having reached its most acute
phase. The Daily News says: I'VE refuse
to believe that President Kruger is so fool
ish as to reject MI. Chamberlain's moderate
demands"
The Daily CHI ,nicle, which appeals again
to Mr.. Kruger 'to accept while it is yet
time and before England's terms become
harder" says: "A refusal of the present
terms will involve the ruin of the state
over which President Kruger presides. The
British government has played its first and
second moves in the game, and must per-
force play the third and then the fourth.
II Mr.. Kruger haggles the sinister condi-
tons in South Africa will grow worse until
a catastrophe is reached"
Other papers talk of the imminence of
war, and all the dispatches from South At
RIGA continue to describe the military prep
| a~rations on both sides.
The Pretoria correspondent Of the Daily
Chronicle says: THE Beers assert that
Mr.. Conyngham Greene, British diplomatic
| agent at Pretoria, knew IL was their III
tention TO adopt the attitude they have re-
| garding suzeranity, and that he tacitly en-
| couraged them, as the documents show.
His forty-eight-hour demand and the string
of blue-book inuendoes for which he and
Sir Alfred Miner are responsible have
| produced an official atmosphere in which
| anything Is possible. At the same time
Mr.. Hofmeyer and practically every mem
Der of the Cape Afrikander party have
wired urging acceptance of the British de-
mands."
The Pretoria correspondent Of the Times,
in his forecast of the Transvaal's reply,
| declares that the Beers will lay stress upon
the seven-year franchise law. though Offer
| ing to consider British suggestions as to its
working. and for the rest take their stand
| upon the London convention.
The Times says: I'VE cannot believe
that President Kruger will reject the lat
est proposals Of the government, and We
would remind him that even Mr.. Morley
has indorsed the five-year franchise and
urged him to accept the Cape Town confer
ence."
1t Is understood that a Cabinet council will
be summoned as soon as the Transvaal's
reply Is received.
The Pretoria correspondent OF the Man
chester Guardian. telegraphipg Friday,
says: The situation has become extremely
grave The material changes in the draf,
OF the reply delivered to Mr.. Greene to-
day are due to representations from Bloom.
fontein and the disposition of the voIks-
| raad."
The dispatch then gives what purports to
be a summary or the reply, which is SINH.
lar 10 the other forecasts. concluding as
follows: The Transvaal feels at liberty to
depart from the JOINT inquiry. which she ac-
cepted In the bona iide belief that it would
lead to a final settlement"
The correspondent adds: Both the Pres
ident and the Executive Council are firmly
convinced that no finality is intended end
that further concessions would only pest
pone the struggle. The Transvaal regards
herself as tricked into n proposal by Mr.
Chamberlain. The Orange Free State will
| certainly sfand hy tho rraos-,,ID