Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-06
This Considered as Being Least Augmsntive,
but Here Difficulties Arise.
CANADIAN CIRCLES APPEAR DISSATISFIED
Declared that Sir Wilfnd Laurier Does
Not Get Just Treatment.
PRESTIGE OF LORD MILNER SLIPPING
Strained Relations Between Sir John
Gordon sprigE and Man who
Tried to Get COnstitu-
tiOn Suspended.

LONDON, July Sit is understood that
the cabinet has decided not to accede to
the suspension Of the constitution Of Cape
Colony. but endeavor to compromise the
conflicting interests there.
After two meetings the colonial pre-
miers did not get much farther" Ito quote
one member) nor does It here seem to be
a prospect of reaching any conclusions in
the immediate future. The question of
imperial defense was put up first as being
the least argumentive, but even here difh-
culties have arisen.
Sir wilfrid Laurier the premier Of Cape
Colony. appears to differ materially from
Edmund Barton, the premier Of Australia,
and Richard J. Seddon, prime minister of
New Zealand. as to what the colonies ought
TO do. Mr.. seddon is being constantly en-
ployed as spokesman, both in and out Of
councils and this has given rise to no little
jealousy among his brother premiers.
Canadian circles openly express dissatis-
faction and declare that Sir Wllfrid Lau-
rier is not being treated with the Difference
due to a man whose imperial statesman
ship is so universally admired. The elab-
crate manner in which Sir Wilfrids forth
coming reception in Paris has been her
aided in the English press, was to no little
extent due to a desire to emphasize Cana
dian disgruntlement.
In the fight against the suspension Of
the constitution of Cape Colony. Sir John
Gordon Sprigg had the tacit support Of
all the colonial premiers, who feared that
the suspension might create a condition
most dangerous to their constituencies. II
Is stated that before the premier of Cape
Colony attained his purpose unusually
sharp passages occurred between himself
and Mr.. Chamberlain. colonial secretary.
The decision of the British cabinet not
10 suspend Cape Colony's constitution Is
taken to be a serious blow to Lord MIL
ner's prestige The latter openly opposed
the premier. and Sir Johns victory is
not likely to improve relations which were
already strained. Some interesting results
may be anticipated from the visit at the
beginning of August OF Lord Aivsrstone.
the lord chief Justice. and Sir John Big
ham, Judge of the queens bench division
Of the high court of Justice, who was a
member OF the South Africa committee
Of the House of Commons, 1Ss6-s7, South
Africa.
MiIner IL Notified.
Lord Miner, the British high commits
sioner IN South Africa, has received the
dispatch announcing that the imperial gov
ernment decided against the proposal to
The reply of the colonial secretary, Lord
Chamber. to the petition for the sus-
pension Of the constitution Of Cape Colony
was published in a parliamentary paper this
evening.
1t says there Is no precedent for the
suspension of the constitution Of a re-
sponsibly governed colony The suspen-
sion should be effected only by an act of
the imperial Parliament and the govern
ment believed such a step is not called
for, unless It is proven that the constitu-
tion is a positive danger to the colonys
peace. or that a great majority of the
whites desire that the authority be abb
nolutely transferred to the imperial gov
ernment Such q desire could only be con-
additionally expressed by a resolution OF
the Cape Parliament.
II will be necessary to pass an act of
indemnity on account OF violations OF the
constitution, and It may also perhaps be
needful to confer special powers on the
Cape government for carrying out the
pacihcation OF the colony and the main
tenance OF British interests.
The government was satisfied that the
Cape Parliament would take the necessary
steps to provide for the security Of the
colony and to discourage the racial and
political controversy which was interfer-
ing with its prosperity and which can
serve no good purpose among members OF
q community having common interests In
the peace and prosperity OF South Africa.
Sir John Gordon sprigg, the premier OF
Cape Colony, was interviewed today re-
garding the decision OF the imperial gov
eminent not TO suspend the constitution
OF Cape Colony. He said:
ssIf the petition had been granted II
would have caused apprehension regarding
the position OF every selfgoverning colony
since Il involved the whole question oi
free constitutional government. The de-
cision will promote peace and reconeilia-
tion in South Africa. The suspension OF
the constitution would have had reverse
effect"