The San Francisco call., 1899-10-09

not wish to interfere with the internal
aHairs Of the Transvaal or to disturb it's
independence 1t has pursued a policy
Justifying contrary conclusions.
The Free State, says Mr. Steyn, cannot
| conceive it possible that a difference re-
garding the franchise or representation
can justify the extensive. and ever-in-
creaslng military preparations being
made upon the borders not only of the
Transvaal but also upon those of the Free
State, and is therefore reluctantly COM
PEELED to conclude that they must be in
tended to secure objects, a knowledge Of
which might induce the Free State to
make representations to secure their at
tainment.
In conclusion President Steyn saws he
trusts the Imperial Government may see
Its way clear, pending further negotia-
tons, to stop further movements for the
increase of troops and that he would be
glad to be favored with the views of the
Imperial Government regarding the pre-
else nature and scope of the concessions
or measures which it suggests as neces-
sary or sufficient to secure satisfaction and
permanent solution Oh the existing differ
ences.
On October 1 President Steyn informed
Sir Alfred Miner that he deemed it ad-
v1sable, in order to allay the intense ex-
cltement of the burghers arising from the
continued increase and movements of
troops, to summon the burghers, and he
repeats his offer of aid in securing a
friendly settlement.
Replying on the same date, Sir Alfred
Miner expresses regret at the calling out
OF the burghers and refers to the mobili-
zation of the Transvaal forces on the
Natal border as indicating the intention
TO Immediately invade the Queens do
minion.
President Steyn on the same date ex-
pressed his conviction that the action Of
the Transvaal is only the natural result
of the continued increase Of the British
force and the movement in the direction
of the Transvaal border. Sir Alfred Mil
ner repiled on october that all the move
mentS or the troops were necessitated by
the natural alarm felt by the inhabitants
of the exposed districts and declared that
these movements were not comparable in
magnitude with the recent massing of
armed Iransvaa forces on the borders of
Natal.
President Steyn, replying on October 9.
says he does not consider that there are
even fair grounds for the movement of
the British troops, and he believes the
increasing military preparations retarded
the efforts of himself and all those who
were sincerely working to maintain peace
and effect fair settlement. He wished
10 place on record his earnest conviction
that on those in authority who introduced
the military element and who had since
continued policy of menace and inter-
vention will rest the responsibility
should all efforts fail to secure peace and
an honorable settlement. He further says
he cannot but recognize the fact that in
view of the action of the British authori-
ties the Transvaal Government cannot be
blamed for acting as it has done, and he
Is the more confirmed in this view by the
fact that while he is still without a reply
to his communication of September q the
reasonable requests contained therein to
stay the increase and movement Of troops
which probably would have prevented the
calling out of the burghers in the repub-
lies has not only been ignored but the
activity in military preparations and the