The Transvaal

Bruce Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3098, 12 September 1899, Page 2

The Transvaal

■■«, The reply the Transvaal is prolix and impertinent. It admits that Great Britain, under the convention, is entitled to protect British subjects* It agrees to test the genuineness of the proposals. The Transvaal awaits details and asks whether it will enquire into the scope of arbitration and whether the Orange Free State joins it. Lord Evelyn "Wood and Lord Wolsley were closeted together for some hours at the War Office. It ia stated that President Kruger is wavering. He received a telegram from Mr Koffmeyer warning him not to expect help from the Cape, and it had been advised by an Africander paper to yield the franchise, and avoid the suzerainty question. The staffs of large commercial houses at Johannesburg have started for the Cape with the office books. Queen "Wilbelmina, of Holland, has appealed to the Queen in favor of peace with the Transvaal. Crowds warmly cheered Lords Salisbury and Lansdowne, and Mr Goschen and Mr Chamberlain, as they wended their way to the Colonial Office. The Cabinet lasted two hours and 20 minutes. It wae unanimously decided to demand a categorical reply to Sir Alfred Milner's proposals. The Cabinet ordered 10,000 troops for purely defensive purposes to reinforce Natal. The debate initiated by Mr Colster in the Voltsraad is taken in the Rand to indicate that the Transvaal Government will not yield to pressure. The TJitlanders attach great significance to the uncompromising vehemence of the speeches, and anticipate that the Boers will become aggressive immediately on Buffalo River. The total exodus from the Rand is 25,000. President Kruger declared that Mr Chamberlaic was aware that there was no suzerainty. The Transvaal had yielded everything but its independence. God must be the final arbitrator. If the proposed conference were renewed the Transvaal would send a commissioner. Newspapers declare that it is incredible President Kruger will fight for sovereignty when every guarantee of internal dependence is conceded.