Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-10-11


ton Of Her NIaiestys government as 4
formal dcclara ton of war and will not
hold itself responsible tor the consc-
uuenccs thereof and that in the event
OF amy further movement of troops oc-
curing within the above mentioned
time IN ncare: direction to our Dor
doris this government Will be compelled
t" regard that also as formal declara-
ton nf war.
Il have the honor to be-
"Iicspectfully yours.
tS;gneD .. F ". REITZ
State Secretary"
Sur ALFRED TO THE SECRETARY.
Late this afternoon the colonial gov
rlnment gave out the text of the fol-
lowing telegram transmitted by Sir AL
fred Miner, to the secretary Of state
for the secretary of state for the colo
mics received at GAS A. NJ. today:
Sir:-The government Of the South
African Republic feels itself compelled
t" refer the government Of Her Males
ty, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland,
once more to the convention of 1884.
concluded between this republic and
the United Kingdom and which in Ar
ticlc NlN. secures certain specified
rights to the white population Of the re-
public namely that all persons other
than natives on conforming themselves
to the laws of the republic
A-Will have liberty, With their fam
lies. to enter. travel or reside in any
part of the South African republic.
''E-They will be entitled to hire or
houses. shops and other premises.
"E-Thcy may carry on their COM
mcrce either in person. or by agents
whom they may think fit to employ
AS TO TAXATION.
"D-They shall not be subject in re-
in respect of thir commerce and indus
try. to any taxes other than those
which are. or may be, imposed upon the
citizens of the said republic.
This government wishes further to
observe that the above are the only
rights which Hcr Majesty's govern
ment has reserved in the above con-
vention With regard to the Outlanders
and that the violation only Of those
rights could give that government the
intervention: while, moreover, the reg
rlation Of all other questions affecting
the position of the Outlandar population
under the above mentioned convention,
should be handed over to the govern
ment Of the people of the South African
republic.
This government also has. by the
formation of the now existing franchise
law and by a resolution With regard to
the representation. constantly held
these friendly discussions before its
eyes.
a THREATENING TONE
'On the part of Her Majesty's gov
eminent. however. the friendly nature
of these discussions has assumed more
and more threatening tone. and the
minds OF the people Of the republic and
the whole Of South Africa have been eX-
cited and Il condition of extreme ten
SIGN has been created owing to the fact
that Her Majesty's government could
no longer agree to the legislation re
specting the franchise and respecting
nally by your note of September o.
which broke off all friendly CORES
pondcrAe on rh. subject and minated
that Her Majesty's government must
now proceed to formulate their own
proposals COR the final settlement.
This government can only see in the
above intimation from Her Majesty's
government Il new violation of the con-
vention of London. 1854. which does not
reserve to Her Majesty's government
the right To 4 uni-lltcrsll settlement OF
a question which is exclusively a do
which has already been regulated by
this government
"On account of the strained situation
and the consequent serious loss in the
INTERRUPTION of trade in general which
the correspondence respecting franchise
and the representation of the people of
this republic has carried in it's train
lie! MaI"sty's government has pressed
for an early settlement and finally
pressed. by your intervention. for an
answer within 4s hours. demand sub
scquently somewhat modified. to your
note Of September u. replied to by the
note Of this government OF September
is and Your note of September %. 1899
and thereafter further friendly negotia-
tons were broken off. this government
receiving an intimatcn that a proposal
for a final settlement would st.Stly be
made.
Although this promise was once more
repeated. the proposal. UP to now, has
not reached this government. Even
While friendly correspondence was still
going on, the increase of troops on a
large scale was introduced by Her Ma
jesty's government. the troops being
stationed in the neighborhood of the
borders Of this republic.
REGARDED AS A THREAT.
Having regard to occurrences in the
history of this republic. which it is I'M
necessary here to call to mind. this re-
public felt obliged to regard this mill
tary force in the neighborhood of it's
borders as a threat against the indie
pendence Of the South African repub-
lie, since it would justify the presence
ca and in the nelghborhood of it's Dor
derS.
In answer to an inquiry with respect
thereto addressed to His Excellency.
the high commissioner, this government
received. to it's great astonishment in
answer a yelled insinuation that. from
the side OF the republic an attack was
being made on Her Majestys colonies
and, at the same time, q mysterious ref
erence 20 possibilities, whereby this
government was strengthened in its
suspicion that the independence of this
republic was being threatened
AS defensive measure this govern
therefore RI -
portion Of the burghers Of this repnb-
Tic in order to offer reauisite Resistance