The Transvaal

Bruce Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3100, 19 September 1899, Page 2

The Transvaal

• ■ ■ Saturday. The Raad listened to the reading of Mr Chamberlain's despatch in silence* The Afrikander states thai; the Transvaal will accept the conditions, leaving the suzerainty on the baßia of the 1884 convention. Irishmen is the Rand and at Pretoria has formed a corps, and offered their services to the Transvaal. It ia rumored that the Raad has adjourned 10 days in order to oonßult the oonatituenoeß, und has been oonvened for the 31st mat., to decide whether to support the Transvaal. The Burghers are warned to be in instant readiness to take np arms. One thousand men ara engaged strengthening the defences of Pretoria. A remarkable unanimity exist at Home od the Continent, and on the Gape regarding the moderation of the British terms. M« Deolaßse had advised the French consul at Pretoria to advise President Kroger to accept British oonditiono, Edgar Ellis, who figured aa an informer in the alleged recent attempt to value an insnrreotion in the Transvaal was recognised at Ladysmith, Natal. A orowd seized him and then tarred and feathered him. BRITISH PROPOSALS RKJEGTKD. WAR BHGARDBP AS INEVITABLE. Boer preparations for war continue at Zeerost a small town within easy maroh of Maf eking, a large quantity of British army stores are threatened ; 3000 Boers will be despatched to the frontier when the reply to Mr Chamberlains message ia despatched. The press states that the Boers rejeoted the British proposals by a praotloally goanlrpons vote apg that $je ref nga.l of Mr Chamberlains terms means rain to the Transvaal. War correspondents have started for Natal. There are the gloomiest forebodings in Pretoria that war is inevitable, aniesß Great Britain retreats from the position tiken np, Afrikanders are keenly dieap? pointed at the failure of their influence with the Boers. The attitnde of the Boers towards the residents of Kimberley, Vryborg and Mafeking ia moat menacing. It is stated that eight hundred Hollanders in Pretoria have offered to fight against the English. The Transvaal Goveanment'a reply adheres to the terms of the convention between Great Britain and the Transvaal entered into in 1884. It assents to a seven years' franchise for Uitlandea, rejeots the proposal for equality of languages, but accepts the arbitration proposals. The Orange Free State endorses the reply and it is expeoted will 00- operate with the Transvaal. As a reßult of this action it ia feared hostilities will be precipitated. The Boers believe that Britain seeka to establish her dominion throughout South Af aica, This so embitters the burghers that the acceptance of the British demands ia oonaidered hopeless.. Public opinion in Berlin approves of Mr Chamberlain's demandd for the equality of languages and approves of the British franchise proposals and arg«i immediate oymiiQU,