The record-union., 1899-09-10
SUzERAINTY THE
MAIN ISSUE.
President Kruger viii Have to Ac-
cept the Fact,
Or Great Britain Will Declare War Against
the Beers.
The Alaska Boundary Dispute Al
most Lost Sight of in British
Circles Owing to the Critical
Situation in South Africa.

Copyrighted, 1S99 by Associated Press)
LONDON, Sept. 9.-The actual status
of the Transvaal crisis appears to be
unchanged. In spite of all the clamor
and excitement raised by the rumors
preceding the Cabinet council Great
Britain's Ministers apparently have
done nothing more than to strengthen
the hands of Joseph Chamberlain, Sec
retary of State for the Colonies, there
by confirming the representations Oh
the most conservative element. AS Tar
as the International relations are con-
cerned, war is no nearer now than 1t
was a week ago, though the friction III
South Africa itself is keener, ana
likely to produce a conflict.
Putting aside the countless diplomatic
intricacies that have arisen during the
week, suzerainty remains the main is
sue. President Kruger has cracked the
nut, and found suzerainty it's kernel
If he refuses to swallow it, there will
be war.
There is no doubt that Mr.. Chamber
lain hoped the Cabinet would take more
radical measures than they did. II the
present understanding of their action
is well founded, they have only coun-
tenanced still further delay, specifying
a day when such delay must end. For
weeks Mr.. Chamberlain has been tell
ing President Kruger that Great
Britain could stand no further parley-
ing about suzerainty, and intimatng
by speeches that the day and even the
month had arrived when Great
i,,'e tionop u-o11Id he exhausted.
Hence this Cabinet exhibition of pro-
longed British patience has tended to
increase a more pacific feeling, but
which, after all, is probably only gen.
eral realization that unless the Beers
take the initiative we shall wait FOR
some time before the crisis comes to
a head.
Compared with this, the warlike signs
of sending out 10000 troops has small
significance. Whether or not President
Kruger will eventually back down is
still matter of great doubt, in spite
of his latest pacific utterances and
those of his agents.
Were it not for the extreme friendli-
ness now existing between the United
States and Great Britain, the Alaskan
boundary dispute would be regarded
here as a serious secondary compllca-
tion and the rumors of it's tentative
settlement are hailed with delight. AS
it is, the public takes little interest IN
the matter, the general idea being to
get it settled as soon as possible with
out hurting Canada's pride.
A representative here of the Associa-
ted Press learns from a good source
that the tentative agreement provides
for Canada having free ports on Lynn
Canal and at Pyramid Harbor, but
without entailing any recognition by
the Americans of sovereignty. This is
to be conferred until the boundary line
is adjusted, the United States Govern
ment adhering to its claim that it must
be delimited from mountain top 10
mountain top. In return for this Tree
port the United States will, it is said.
gain additional privileges for New Eng
land fishermen, including the BANK
rights so stoutly advocated by Con-
gressman Dingley.
The informant of the Associated
Press representative said also that
these proposals would all be submitted
to the Canadian Minister of Marine and
Fisheries Sir l.. r. Davies, upon ms
arrival here and that the Foreign once
hoped he will consider them favoraDly-
Until he accepts, it was said, the terms
enumerated have no more significance
than the friendly suggestions of any
third party anxious to settle dls-
pute.
Queen Victoria, it is reported, has
sent to Emperor William a priced copy
of her family tree, showing King DaVlo
at the top.