REPLY TO MR CHAMBERLAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 209, 4 September 1899, Page 5

REPLY TO MR CHAMBERLAIN.

A CONFBRiSNCE ARRANGED

NATAL VOLUNTEERS ENROLLED

MOVEMENT OF BOER FORCES.

EDITORS CHARGED WITH

TREASON

BRITISH DISPATCHES HISSED

CAPETOWN, September 3. Seven hundred volunteers have teen enrolled at Natal. PRETORIA, September ?>. The Transvaal Government is requisitioning- railway rolling stock. Threo bodies of Boer forces are within CO miles of Mafeking, in British Bechuanaland. The Transvaal's reply to Mr Chamberlain has been handed to Mr Green, British Agent in Pretoria. It is understood that the Transvaal consents to holding a conference at Capetown, and expresses willingness to explain the working of the franchise, and receive friendly suggestions. Mr Pakeman, editor of the Transvaal Header, has been arrested on a charge of high treason. A warrant has also been issued against Mr Moneypenny, editor of the Johannesburg Star.

Mr Asquith, speaking at Leven, said he* hailed the prospect of a definite and permanent settlement, harmonising' the just claims of the uitlanders and Transvaal autonomy. The Boers, however reluctantly, must realise the impossibility of perpetuating fin injustice. A solution was attainable by firm and prudent diplomacy. CAPETOWN, September 2. Afrikanders consider the presence of Mr Fischer, of the Orange Free State Executive, at secret sessions of the Volksraad, a hopeful indication. The text of British despatches show that the counter scheme put forward Tby President. Kruger was to be'considered on the. express . condition of the abandonment of suzerainty by Britain, and also on the condition of Britain agreeing to arbitration. Mr Chamberlain refused to discuss further the suzerainty question, declaring that apart from the franchise there were difficulties which were unsuitable for arbitration, and capable of adjustment by conference. When this decision was read in the Volksraad it was met with hisses and groans. The great, exodus continues frpm Johannesburg and the other chief towns of the Transvaal.

Influential men of Pretoria have invited Mr Hofmeyr to return there.

* An enthusiastic meeting at Capetown has condemned Mr Schreiner's attitude, and supported Sir A. Milner. The meeting thanked Australia and Canada for their sympathy, and scouted the idea of Cape Colony taking up & neutra} pttjtude in the event of war.

WASHINGTON, September 2.

f The Government has instructed the United States Consul at Pretoria to protect American interests.

LONDON, September 2

The First Roj'al Dragoons have been ordered to be in readiness to start for Capetown. At Aldershot 25,000 men are ready for mobilisation.