The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-19
A POLITE BUT FIRM REPLY
MADE NO OFFER OF FIVE YEAR
FRANCHISE.
THEY ARE READY TO ACCEPT ARBITRATION
All Dispatches from South Africa, However,
Talk of the lmmnence of War and
Hurried Preparations for
HoStilites.

Pretoria, Sept. lI.-1he reply of the
Government of the South African Re-
public to the latest dispatch, dated
September -, of the British Secretary
of State for the Colonies, Joseph Cham
berlain, after acknowledging the receipt
of the British note, proceeds in part as
follows:
THE Government deeply regrets the
withdrawal, as the Government under
stands it, of the invitation contained in
the British dispatch of August %, and
the substitution, in place thereof, of an
entirely new proposal.
The proposals, now fallen through,
contained in the Transvaai dispatches
of August 10 and August 81, were
elected from this Government by sug-
gestions made by the British diplomatic
agent in Pretoria (Conyngham Greenel
to the Transvaal State Secretary IF.
w Reitz), suggestions which this Gov
eminent acted upon in good faith, and
after specially ascertaining whether
they would be likely to prove acceptable
to the British Government. This Gov
eminent had by no means an Intention
to raise again needlessly the question
of its political status. but acted with
the sole object of endeavoring, by the
aid of the local British agent, to put
an end to the strained condition of af-
fairs
This was done in the shape of pro-
posal which this Government deems,
both as regards its spirit and form. to
be so worded as, relying upon intima-
tions to this Government, would satisfy
Her Majesty's Government. This Gov
eminent saw a difficulty as to the accep-
lance of those proposals by the people
and Legislature Of the Transvaal. and
also contemplated possible dangers CON
nected Herewith, but risied making
them on account of a sincere desire to
secure peace. and because assured by
Mr.. Chamberlain that such proposals
would not be deemed a refusal of his
proposals, but would be settled on 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 I'M
derstand why such commission, which
before was deemed necessary TO explain
the complicated details OF the seven
years law, should now be deemed nm
necessary, and why it should now. with
out much inquiry, be thought possible
to declare this law inadequate.
Further, there must be Il nisappre-
hension. il it be assumed that this Gov
eminent was prepared to lay proposals
for Il fve-year franchise and quarter
representation of the new population
before the Volksraad for unconditiur al
acceptance. As to the language. this
Government never made any offer such
n..f.. n .la,4s ~ 4
such a measure both unnecessary and
undesirable.
1.-THE proposed conference, as distinct
from the joint commission OF inquiry,
this Government is likewise not unwill-
ing to enter upon, but the difficulty is
that an acceptance thereof is made
dependent upon the acceptance, on the
side of the Transvaal, of precedent con-
ditions which the Government does not
feel at liberty to submit to the Nolks-
raad, and, moreover, the subjects to be
discussed at the conference remain UNI
defined.
This Government ardent1y desires
and gladly accepts arbitration, as it's
intention is to adhere to the terms or
the London convention of 1884
The dispatch concludes by trusting
that the British Government, on recon
sideration may not deem it fit to make
more onerous or new proposals, but will
adhere to Great Britain's proposal for
joint commission Of inquiry as pre-
viously explained by the Secretary Of
State for the Colonies to the Imperial
Parliament"
All the dispatches from South Africa
thiS morning talk of the imminence OF
hostilities and the preparations for them.
In Johannesburg it seems to be taken
for granted that the Orange Free State
has approved 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-year franchise.
At Cape Town, it is reported, Mr..
Hofmeyer, the Afrikander leader, sent
communication to President Steyn,
OF the Orange Free State, entreating
him to do his utmost to preserve peace,
but that he received in answer the
words: "Too late" All military men
agree that it is out of the question to be-
gin hostile operations before the middle
of next month, no rain having fallen,
and the yeldt being still bare.
1t is supposed that the next move
contemplated by the Transvaal is an
appeal to the powers, begging them TO
recommend arbitration ON the lines OF
the conference at The Hague.
A dispatch from Charles Town says
| the widest rumors are current there,
| and that great alarm is felt owing to the
| unprotected state of the town, especially
| as Boer signalling is plainly visible on
the adjacent mountains.
A BOER COUP EXPECTED.
| London, Sept 19.--The Teansvaal SIT
ration remains practically unchanged.
The general apprehension in regard to
| the outcome was reflected by the de-
CASTORTA Forlnfants and Children.