The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-18

object of .endeavoring by the aid of the
loca! British agent to Pat an end to the
strained condition of affairs.
This was done in the shape of a pro-
posal which this government deems, both
as regards its spirit and form, to be so
worded as, relying upon limitations to
this government, would satisfy her maj
esty's government. This government saw
difficulty as to the acceptance of those
proposals by the people and legislature
of the Transvaal and also contemplated
possible dangers connected Herewith, bttt'
r1sked making them on account of a sim
cere desire to secure peace and because
assured by Mr.. Chamberlain that su h
proposals would not be deemed a refusal
of his proposals, but would be settled en-
their merits.
"As regards the joint commission, the
Transvaal adheres to the acceptance of
the invitation thereunto given by her
maJesty's government and cannot under
stand why such commission which be-
fore was deemed necessary to explain the
complicated details of the seven-year
franchise should now be deemed unneces-
sary and which it should now BE- thought
necessary to declare Inadequate
Further, there must be a misappre-
hension if it be assumed that this gov
eminent was prepared to lay proposals
representation of the new population be-
fore the volksraad for unconditional ac-
ceptance.
"As to the language, this government
never made any offer such as is referred
to-, considering, as it did, such a measure
both unnecessary and undesirable
The proposed conference, as opposed
to the joint commission of inquiry this
government is likewise not unwilling to
enter upon, but the difficulty is that an
| acceptance thereof is made dependent
upon the acceptance on the side of the
this government does not feel at liberty
to submit to the volksraad, and, more
over, the subjects to be treated at the
conference remain underlined.
This government ard6ntly desires and
gladly accepts arbitration as it's firm in
tention is to adhere to the terms of the
London convention of 1884"
The dispatch concluded by trusting that
the British government on reconsidera-
ton may not deem it fit to make more
onerous or difficult proposals, but accepts
Great Britains proposals for joint COM
mission of inquiry as previously explain
ed by the secretary of state for the col
onies to the imperial parliament
WAR NEAR AT HAND.
LONDON, Sept. 1S.-Al of the dis
| patches from South Africa this morning
talk of the imminence Of hostilities and
| the preparation for them. In Johannes
burg it seems to be taken for granted
that the Orange Free State has ap-
proved President Kruger's note and
promised active assistance in the event
of war.
An official telegram posted at Volks-
rust says that the Transvaal, with the
assent Of the Orange Free State, repu-
dates British suzerainty and adheres to
the seven years franchise.
At Cape Town it is reported that Ar
thur Meyer, the Afrikander leader, sent
telegram to President Steyne, of the
Orange Free State, entreating him to do
his best to preserve peace, but he re-
cetved in reply the words "Too late"
All military men agree that it is out of
| the question to begin hostile opera lions
before the middle of next month, no rain
having fallen and the veldt being still
bare.
! 1t is supposed that the next move con-
/ templated by the Transvaal is an appeal
| to the powers, begging them to recon-
mend arbitration on the lines of the con-
ference at The Hague.~
| dispatch from Cape Town says the
widest rumor are current there and that
| great alarm is felt owing to the unpro-
| tected state Of the town, especially as
Boer signaling is plainly visible on the
| adjacent mountains.
REPLY IS EvASIVE
| LONDON, Sept 1.-THE reply of the
| Transvaal government to Mr.. Chamber
| lains latest note is said to cover nine
pages. 1t is eminently of the negative"
| and "non-conclusive" character, which
| Mr.. Chamberlain declared would compel
| the imperial government to consider the
situation afresh. 1t practically repudiates
| suzerainty, reverts to the seven years
| franchise and declines to give equality to
the Dutch and English languages In the
volksraad In short, it is politely mega
| tive.
| The full text may not be available for a