The San Francisco call., 1899-09-05

cipIe TO a conference at Cape Town. VI.
Pakeman. editor OF the Transvaal
Leader, has been released under $500
bail. and the charges against him have
been reduced from treason 10 violation
of the press laws.
The afternoon papers take the view
that Il the foregoing dispatch is cor
rect, President Kruger's reply is
ominous, as II was palpably made 10
gain time.
Sir Alfred Miners suggestion OF q
further conference at Cape Town was
instigated with the sole purpose OF con-
sidering details and for the enforce
ment Of the concessions offered by the
Beers. II these concessions are with
drawn there can be no object, from a
British point OF view, for parleying
longer. The only inference TO be drawn
is that the Beers have taken Mr.. Jo-
seph Chamberlain, the Secretary pf
State Tor the Colonies. at his word in
broader sense than he intended and
that they ncE want TO begin negotia-
uions over again OF an entirely new
basis
The shrewdness OF this reported
move is not likely 10 save II from being
interpreted by. the British Government
as q thinly yelled defiance, and unless
1t is accompanied by a vague agreement
10 further confer il would generally be
taken as sufficient cause fer immediate
hostilities
Regarding the exact terms OF the re-
ply in question, reports continue mys-
ufyinS in contradictions, but all agree
that the excitement in johannesburg is
undated and that the exodus from that
city IS continuing and that distress
there is increasing. Cablegrams from
Boer and British South Africa sources
detail war preparations On all sides
The pessimistic view OF the Trans
vaal situation indicated by the after
noon papers is strengthened by a well
defined rumor that a Cabinet council
has been hurriedly called and an evil
dent feeling at the Colonial Office that
the crisis has become more acute.
PRETORIA. Sept 4-The reply Of
the Transvaal Republic to the demands
OF Great Britain increases the term Of
years residence necessary to obtain the
franchise.
In connection with the arrest OF Mr..
Pakeman, editor OF the TransyaaI
Leader. and the threatened arrest Of
other Outlanders, the State Attorney
denies that instructions were ever is
sued at Pretoria for these arrests or
that any political arrests were con-
templated, and says warrants We're is
sued at johannesburg by a subordinate
without consultation with the States
Attorney. This announcement tends 10
quiet the public mind and 10 arrest the
exodus
CAPE TOWN. Sept. 4-The news re-
ceived from Pretoria to-day begins TO
show the situation in a clear light 1t
appears that the TransvaaPs reply.
which was handed on Saturday to the
British diplomatic agent at Pretoria.
Mr.. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. was only 10
Mr. Chamberlain's proposal respecting
q conference at Cape Town. and that
another reply VIII be delivered to-mor-
row TO Mr. Chamberlain's original pro-
posal OF joint inquiry into the fran
chise bill.
This method OF splitting negotiations
by the Transvaal is unfavorably COM
mented upon here.
The Cape Argus officially denies that
the Government OF the South African
republic has agreed 10 a conference at
Cape Town.
The Cape Argus also declares that the
explanation OF the arrests offered by
the Transvaars States Attorney. Mr..