Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-02-14

mines and they sought the assistance
of DIR. Jameson and his raiders. Pos
sibly IF their condition had been as
desperate as it was represented to be
a spontaneous insurrection, confined
to the Outlanders alone, might have
secured some measure of sympathy.
although the Identification of the
mine owners with the movement laid
1t open 20 suspicion, whatever the
grievances may have been. But the
fact that Cecil Rhodes, at that time
Prime Minister Of Cape Colony aud
managing director of the British
South African Company. was con
uected with the plot, and he sus-
pected completely of Joseph Cham
berlain, now British Colonial Secre
tary, naturally incensed and alarmed
the Beers. 1t increased their DIS
trust, not only of the Outlanders. but
of the English Government. Dr.
Jameson's raid was fasco. The
troopers with whom he crossed over
the Bechuaualand border into the
Transvaal were easily defeated bv
the Beers at Dorm kop, in January.
1896, but the invasion made tn.
Transvaal Government more deter
mined than ever TO maintain its in
dependence and to resist aggression
both from within and without. More
over. the expedition revived the racial
feeli z throughout South Africa.
The Orange Free State concluded "A
treaty with the Trausyaal bv which
each of the two republics bound it,
self to defend the other if uuiustlv
attacked.
In December, 1S9S, "a British sub
ject named Edgar Was killed bv a
Boer policeman at Johannesburg. A
petition signed 10y $1,000 British
subjects in the Transvaal was then
sent to Queen Victoria urging her %
TO extend them her protection. This
petition was received bv her Majesty.
aud Sir Alfred Niluer. Governor of
Cape Colony and British High Com
missioner to South Africa. was iu-
structed TO negotiate with President
Kruger at Bloemfontein with the
hope of obtaining for the Outlauders
Immediate representation in the
Nolksraad, such as would enable
them TO press for the redress of their
grievances.
President Kruger. according 70
Mr.. Rritz, the Trausvaal Secretary
of State. went to Bloemfoutein for
the purpose Of discussing even inter
nal affairs in a friendly spirit with
the High Commissioner-amoug 9TH
ers the question of the franchise.
NO agreement being possible be-
tween the parties" Mr. Britz saws.
"PreS!dent Kruger left Bloemfouteiu
and amended the franchise law I'D
such way that the Orange Free
State, the Africanders of Cape Col
Ouy, and even MIR. >cheiruer. Prem
ier of Cape Colony. publicly sisuifed
their approval of the amendments
which had been made"
Mr.. Chamberlain then proposed
that the question as to whether tn,
new franchise law was satisfactory
OF not should be discussed by a joint
commission. and there seemed TO be
prospect of settlement agreeable tc
both parties. The British COY
ernment," Mr.. Reit< asserts, ION be-
ing sounded 10y its agent, announced
that if a five Years franchise. unham-
pered complicated conditions and
with IA quarter representation for the
gold fields were conceded. It would
be prepared to consider the coudi-
ions upon which the proposal depend
ed on their merits. and would mo-
consider such a proposals a refus
al to accept the joint inquiry.
H. Rn.,. ,,,4.t,......
further interference should talk,
place. that the claim of suzrranit,
should be dropped and that further
disputes should be settled by arbi-
tration. rs soon. however. as the
proposal was formerly made the
British Government refused to So
cept the conditions with regard &,
the suzerainty claim. and shortly af
terward made what was practically