THE TRANSVAAL

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 161, 10 July 1899, Page 5

THE TRANSVAAL

BRITISH PREPARATIONS CONTINUE.

30,000 TKOOPS READY

LONDON, July 9. It is reported that unless President Kruger gua-nntees immediate and Batisfactory . . .orm, 30,000 troops will be despatched to South Africa within six weeks. In the House of Commons Mr Balfbur, replying to a question by Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman respecting war preparations, said no contingency had yet arisen necessitating a material increase in the forces in South Africa, but the Government must ensure efficiency and mobility. It was the obvious duty of the War Office to be prepared for any emergency. B PRETORIA, July 9. Several companies of an army rejerve corps were started yesterday. The Transvaal First Raad in session, by 26 votes to 2, accepted the concession agreed upon at the secret conference of the Volksraad. PRETORIA, July S. The Volksraad recommends that in future newcomers be enfranchised in five years, after having been naturalised for two years, or in seven years if not naturalised. A further recommendation is that Jour new members representing the goldfields be added to each Raad. CAPETOWN, July 8. Mr Schreiner, the Premier, interViewed, considers the Transvaal's pro- ' petals adequate and satisfactory. SYDNEY, July 9.

News by the Cape mail shows that Commandant Vilgoen, in a letter to the press, said that in the event of war between 30,000 and 40,000 Afrikanders, armed with the best European weapons, would trek in defence of the independence of the Afrikanders. A journal has published verses with the refrain: "Grasp your Mausers, Afrikanders." The verses urge all Afrikanders through the length and breadth of South Africa to stand shoulder to shoulder against the British lion and plead that the Transvaal must not be allowed to fight England unaided.