Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-31
They Refuse to Consider Any Fur.
Their. Concessions.
THE coLoNls1s WANT TO FIGHT
Heavy Consignments of Ammunition
and 800 Rifles Said to Have Arrived
From the Netherlands = Atti-
Jude OF Orange Free state.

an else mere, even the DreyfuS trial. :
The Reuter- Agency last night an
nounced from Cape Town that Kruger
has thrown down the gauntlet, since
ne has declared that he would make no
more concessions, and intended adher-
ing to his latest offer.
This, however. while conceding a
sufficient franchise, stipulates the alb
ro9ations of British suzeranty and the
adoption of arbitration.
Chamberlain. knowing this. publicly
refused it Saturday. aud hence there is
an absolute deadlock.
Ifthis cable, which up to the present
time is unconfirmed, proves true, and
it probably is true, only war or climb
down can solve the situation. s
The cape British are eager for war,
though the cape ministry has announce
ed that in that event the colony win be
neutral. while the Orange Free State
has definitely declared ii will side with
the Transvaal
Still the idea of war here creates no
enthusiasm whatever even among its
advocates. But there is no doubt il
declared it will be waged with thor
oughness and relentlessness which will
ii
and surprise South Africa.
a week or so more will probably set.
tie whether it will be peace or war.
If Chamberlain wants war he will
have it.
Cape Town, Aug. 30 Replying 10
the latest propositions OF the British
secretary of state for the colonies, Mr..
Chamberlain. the government of Trans
vaal has notified him that it adheres to
its latest offer and will not make any
further concessions.
According TO reports from Johan-
nesburg the burghers are everywhere
exchanging Martins for Mausers.
\ heavy load of ammunition, includ-
ing 300 Mausers. arrived at Johannes
burg on Friday from Utrecht, the Meth
erlands.
The Cape house of assembly is again
debating the question of the transit
of arms intended for the Orange Free
State and presumably the Transvaal.
Evidently a state of extreme tension
exists. as every speech made yesterday
was received with almost absolute ST
lence in the chamber.
William p. Schreiner. the Premier,
personally appealed to his followers TO
refrain from answering the criticisms
of the opposition lest they should drop
words of ill-feeling.
The entire opposition rose to support
the motion for adjournment made by
the Ri. Hon. Sir John Gordon Sprigg,
the former premier. Sir John, who re-
peated the arguments he had used in
the previous debate. asked the premier
what action the Cape cabinet proposed
to take in the matter. 4
He said that the recent sreech of the
British secretary of state for the colon
les, Joseph Chamberlain. at Brming-
ham, England, had forced all to the
conclusion that South Africa was OH
the brink of war unless the Transvaal
met the British demands.
In his opinion the cape government
ought TO follow the example of Portn-
gal at Delagoa bay and refuse to per-
nit the transit OF arms as long as the
crisis lasted.
After Sir John Gordon Sprigg had
finished pause occurred, the house
waiting for the premier's reply. FL
nally Mr.. Schreiner rose and declared
that Under the customs convention
the Orange Free State was justified in
importing arms through Cape Colony,
and he did not intend TO tear up that
convention, knowing as he did that
there would be no war. In the event
of war, he said, II would not lack the
true imperial spirit"
Mr.. Schreiner then read letter from
President Steyn OF the Orange Free
State, denying any 1ntention on the
part of that government to take up
arms in any aggressive or offensive
manner against the British government
or the Cape Colony.
1t was the final policy of the Orange
Free State, President Steyn continued,
never to take up arms except when at
tackled or in support OF its treaty obli-
cations.
The letter created profound i'm
preston, as clearly showing the pur-
pose of the importation of firearms.
Several members dwelt upon this phase
and Mr.. Schreiner promised, in case of
future consignments, to consult the
governor of Cape Colony. Sir Alfred
Miliner. which he admitted he had not
previously done. He also asserted that
the Cape Colony would maintain neu-
tralitv in the event of war.