The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-26
GEN. CRONJE SAYS
BREACH OF TREATY
Boer Leader Is Not Satisfied
With New TransvaaI
Constitution

LONDON, April 25.-The draft. of
the new Transvaal constitution was
iss ued today. 1t provides for a legisla-
tive assembly consisting of the lieuten-
ant governor, six to nine official men,
bers and thirty to thirty-five elected
members. Every burgher of the late
South African republic is entitled to
vote for members of the first volks-
raad as well as all white males of
British birth occupying premises at an
annual rental of not less than $50 or
having capital to the value of $500.
unless convicted of treason since May
81, 1902, or of murder, unless they
have obtained a free pardon A COM
mission will divide the Transvaal into
electoral districts. The debates in the
asse mbly will be carried on in English,
but the president of the yolkSraad
may permit member to use the
Dutch language. Financial measures
must be recommended to the assembly
by the governor, and no part of the
revenue may be appropriated without
his authority.
In a communication to Lieut.. Gov.
Lawley accompanying the letters pat
ent providing for the changes, Colonial
Secretary Lyttelton says the time is
not yet ripe to grant full self govern
ment. The matter involves party
government and this in the Transvaal
will become more practicable when the
two races have acted longer together
under equal rights of citizenship and
when bitter memories have become
softened by time
In regard to the colored population
not being directly represented in the
volksraad, any bill subjecting them to
special disability or restriction must
have the sanction of the home govern
ment before it becomes operative.
Secretary Lyttelton explains that
similar constitutional changes cannot
be extended to the Orange river colony
Immediately because the industrial
and economic conditions there do not
so urgently demand them.
Cronje Criticises
NORFOLK, Va, April 25.-Gen.
Cronje who was a member of President
Krugers cabinet for twelve years and a
noted Boer leader, distinguished chiefly
for the siege of Paardersburg, and who
now is on a tour of America, said when
shown a copy of the new constitution
just issued from London:
ut is breachsof the treaty of peace
made US by England at Vereeniging
on May 81, 1902, which promised
self government as soon as our coun-
try was in settled state. King Ed
ward has been advised blythe capital
lists in the drawing up of this constitu-
ton, which to my mind is no constitu-
tlO0 DIT dIl IL is no more imam eX-
pected. l thought it would come to
this The only thing which remains
to be done is to be patient and work
with petitions to the British govern
ment."
On hearing of the report that petit
tons would be of no avail, he OBJ
served:
IF they trample us under foot for
ten years, still they must listen to us
some day. Our people of the Trans
vaal have been forming political or
ganiZation under the Boer leaders
known as the Het Volk (the people,,
who win demand what was promised
them in the signing of this peace
treaty. Under the new constitution
capital will be allied against labor, and
there is no possibility of self govern
ment. The Briton now in South Africa
is allied with the Boer and wants self
government and does not want the
country to be ruled by capitalists and
magnates."
The Beers and Britons who are now
In America with Gen. Cronje, over 900
in all, and who are celebrating the an
niversary of their arrival on the Boune
Castle here one year ago, have become
reconciled to the extent of agreeing to
colonize in America, probably in
Georgia.