The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-12
BOERS' REPLY IS A THREAT.
WILL DESTROY MINING PROPERTY IF
FORCED INTO WAR.

Points out The Ruin That Would Follow
To English MISUNDERSTANDING That
England Is Bound To Seize The Conn
try-Uitlnnders' Grievances Exaggerated
sr,eiai Gable De,pa'eh to THE Sun.
LONDON Aug. II The Stnnddrdnnd Dio0ers
Ners in the London edition. publishes cable
despatch from Johannesburg. under tho date
OF August 10. which gives the text OF an i'm
portant manifesto cmhodyng President
Krnger's reply to Mr.. Chamberlain g aggressive
speech in the British House OF Commons on
Wednesday. The manifesto is virtually an an
peal from the attitude Of the British Govern
ment to the civilized world. 1t says:
1T has become n fixed idea among tho
Beers that the British Government is deter
mined to take their country. rs their efforts to
meet tho Uitandcrs' demands are constantly
characterized ns insufficient. The recent
despatch dealing with a proposal to appoint a
Joint commission to inquire into the working
OF the franchise Inv. hns not been ns yet met
with n refusal by the Government. but it is
fully anticipated that the proposal will he re-
jectcd. as the Government and tho members Of
the Volksraad regard tho request as an in
fringement upon their right to administer
their own internal affairs.
IT. however. tho British Government will
agree to the appointment Of a business com
source of tho 2l.OOO signatures appended to
the Uitnndcrs' petition. and which will inquire
how far the representatives OF the British Gov
eminent are unofllciaily identified with the
continued agitation. and also how far they are
cognlzant Of the capitaiistic nature Of the news
paper press presuming to represent the senti-
mcnt Of the titlander community then the
Beers would welcome the investigation.
owing to the settled conviction that Great
Britain will not rest until she has taken pos
session of the Trnnsvanl. the Beers are deter
mined to fight rather than permit: the capital
istic element TO rule them. The Transvaal
being the richest country for its size in the
world. would form bright gem in tho British
crown. and it may answer the purpose OF
Great Britain to acquire the whole country
even at the cost Of the mining industry. In
the event OF war the Beers will assuredly wreck
the mines and by the loss Of millions OF pounds
worth Of mining plant the general body OF
shareholders in Europe will be irretrievaby
ruined. and they should fully understand the
price they must pay before authorizing
the British Government to go to war
1t becomes daily more evident that Sir AL
fred Miner has been mislcd from beginning to
end rs to the grievances OF the Uitlanders at
johannesburg. 1t would be well for the peoplc
of Great Britain before entering upon n dis
astrous war. toassurc themselves OF the reality
OF tn" alleged complaints. One thing is GER
tain. and that Is that war means the absolute
ruin Of Johannesburg. both as n town and n
mining centre. Doubtless the victory would
go to the English by the force OF arms but the
price OF that victory would DO the ruin Of thous-
ands upon thousands Of people. who will lose
oil at tho hands Of one sdGIr the other.
1t should be absolutely known in Europe
that the South African press with few excep-
To 1,Il n