Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-11-17

treaty with the Transvaal by repeated,
persistent, most officious and offensive in
reference of this kind. On the pretext
that the times have changed the British
have thrown that treaty to the winds, and
practically come in with claim of right
TO NEEDLE or interfere with the institutions,
laws, government of the Republic in al
most any and every way they please.
Would they dare attempt such an inter
ference with the United States, France,
Germany, RussiaP Or, should they at
tempt it, who believes it would be, for a
moment, tolerated?
One of the false, sophistical claims set
up by those interested in revolutionizing
or destroying the South African Republic
is that the Beers have broken their agree
ment to give the Outlanders equal politi-
cal and other rights" But they never
agreed to give them political rights; that
word was interpoated by the British and
by those who argue in their behalf
One of the most absurd, unrighteous
things which the British demanded of
Kruger was that the British subjects, re-
siding in the Transvaal, should be allowed
to vote and have voice in all the rights
and privileges of the elective franchise in
that Republic and still retain their allegi-
ance to the crown, or continue to be regu-
lar loyal subjects of the British govern
ment. Did any government ever make or
grant such demand
The Outlanders complain that they have
no power in the municipal government OF
their town, johannesburg. No British
subj'c residing in our country, has, right
fully, any power in the government OF any
American city in which he may be staying
and paying taxes.
In regard to the complaint of high price
for dynamite Mr.. Grout showed that more
is charged for it at the Kimberly mines
! than is charged for it at Johannesburg,
many miles further inland, with more eX-
pensive transportation, and including the
| Transvaal tax.
In response to the demand which the
British made upon President Kruger that
he modify his laws of naturalization and
the oath of allegiance, the President very
rightfully replied that, to do so to the eX-
tent required, would be to destroy my
country" The speaker showed that many
of the miners would make undesirable cit
liens.
And, finally, the claim is made that the
Transvaal "taxes are unjustly levied.
The best of authority shows that the claim
is absolutely false; all the people are tax
ed alike" During the last year the for
| eioners have taken out of that country no
less than 500, 600, 900 of gold, upon which
the corporations managing the mines have
paid dividends to their stockholders vary
ing from 60 to 100 per cent per annum
while the taxes which the republic puts on
the profits of the mines amounts 10 only
81 per cent; though the tax which the
English colony, Canada, imposes upon the
profits of her mines amounts to no less
than 10 per cent. An English authority
Statham-says the personal tax on any one
in the Transvaal, rich or poor, does not
probably, amount TO more than 80 per
year-ail which shows how utterly absurd
is the Outlanders' cutlery about taxes
Such as these are the complaints which
the Outlanders and their English hacker;
bring against the Beers in the Transvaal
and such are some of the thoughts anC
facts which 90 10 show how some OF theil
complaints and demands are made directly
in face of that most solemn treaty which
the British government negotiated witt
the Transvaal Republic in 1884; while
other of the complaints and demands arr
simply false, groundless and absurd.
The conclusionS then, to which thu
sneaker is forced to come, in view OF th
whole subject, is that the war now raging
between the Boer and Brton in South AT
RIGA. is not only most deplorable, cruel
hitter. but also alike most devastating ant
needless and might have been happil,
averted by arbitration had there been an
real desire on the part of the English Il
have the controversy settled and adjuste'
in that way.
About 20 members of the club and L
invited guests were present. Followin
the address banquet was served in Mr.:
Fairs dining rooms, after which two hour
were spent in profitable discussion. Opir
ions were expressed briefly by nearly a
present, and while majority sided wit
Mr.. Grout the claims of the English wer
presented forcibly.