THE TRANSVAAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 204, 29 August 1899, Page 4

THE TRANSVAAL.

PEACE AT ANY PRICE.

WITH AN EXCEPTION,

THE TENSION INCREASING,

FINAL WAR PREPARATIONS.

THE DYNAMITE MONOPOLY.

BURGHERS REFUSE TO FIGHT

PRETORIA, August 28

Burghers in Klerksdorp and Nigel, in the vicinity of Johannesburg declare they will refuse to fight unless the dynamite monopoly is cancelled.

CAPETOWN, August 28

The Natal Government has refused the transit of empty cartridge eases to the Transvaal.

Refugees from Johannesburg are crowding to South African seaports.

PEETORIA, August 28

Uitlanders demand an independent inquiry by the Transvaal Government re franchise concessions.

General Joubert says he desires peace at any price exceptingsacrinee by the Transvaal of its independence. British agents have informed British farmers in the Transvaal.that they can disregard the prohibition on the export of cattle.

The convicts at the Johannesburg forts have been transferred to Potchef stroom, near the Orange Free State border.

LONDON, August 28

Replying to a request from the British Government, the British-India Steamship Company has mentioned the steamers of their line, which will be available for transport service in the event of war.

The newspapers. approve of Mr Chamberlain's solemn, and, well-timed warning1. ... :. '. ,' '.

The Times states that Great Britain's final arrangements are completed. ....... . .--■.•■.- ■ - ' ■ ' ■■■ :

■The tension 'is meanwhile increasing.' : , - The Standard declares that .Mr Chamberlain's warning- represents the united voice of the Gabinetyand mark's the most critical stage of the crisis.

The Daily News declares that the speech was Well weighed and' wof fehy of a grave incident- Which is fraught with importance ' for good or evil. The subs.tan;ce .of thte speech oughf; to be endorsed by-all Covers of peace and all friends of the Transvaal.

-A Capetown' despatch: of July 15 says':—The "Argus" to-day;; discussing the probabilities of Mr Schremer attempting to "embarrass the- Imperial action, says: Happily the" cause of the uitlanders in the Transvaal is W'- perfectly safe hands, and if we point out what can and what cannot be done by" the Cape Parliament, we have the great work of reform and ultimate pacification by the Imperial Government untouched. The Imperial Government is not so blind as to leave out of account the possible hostility of the known Bond majority in Yne Cape Parliament; The worst that Mr Sehreiner and his friends can do to block reform has, we are sure, been discounted in high quarters, and provided for. The relations between English and Dutch in tins country have never been more cordial thnn in the years succeeding the Bechuanaland settlement, when the influence of the Imperial Government h^d been restored by a bloodless application of force. If, therefore, Mr Sehreiner should take some form of "peace resolution, it may be passed, and its effect will be nil. The Imperial Government is perfectly well aware of the sentiments of the Africander majority iv the. Cape House of Assembly. We do not listen to suggestions of fvert opposition. Exactly the same things were said at the Warren period, but the Cape Government railways conveyed, troops to their destination with speed and safety. 'The Cape Ministers, even if they were inclined to do so disloyal and tr.eaeherous a thing as to offer, active opposition to any steps that may be taken by the Imperial Government, which we say frankly we do not believe for a moment, are bound by their oaths as the Executive Councillors, and by their very offices as Ministers of the Crown, to be at least quiescent .whether they approve of what is being done or not. .With the position clear before members we trust that even if the Transvaal is inevitably to crop up in everything done,throughout the session that there will be no acts tending to bring about a ? . constitutional deadlock. ". To enumerate them,would.be.but to. surest opportunities of mischief. Th,* "Progressives need not fear the discussion of the Transvaal ease, for a cause which has enlisted the sympathy of the civilised world is not one as to which they need be ashamed or despondent.