THE TRANSVAAL.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2279, 22 September 1899, Page 8

THE TRANSVAAL.

WAR INEVITABLE

London', September 15. Remarkable unanimity exists at Home, in the Continent and at the Cape regarding the moderation of the British terms. The text of Mr Chamberlain's despatch shows that equality in regard to the use of all languages in the Transvaal is demanded. Paris, September 15. The French consul at Pretoria has been directed to advise Kruger to accept the British terms. Pretoria, September 15. It is believed by the Ruui that tin concession of a five years' franchise will not end Britain's interference with internal affairs, and there is a strong inclination to resist the suzerainty. The burghers are warned to be in instant readiness to take un arms. A thousand men are engaged in strengthening the defences of Pretoria, excavating trenches and constructing earthworks. London, September 16. The Boers have rejected th" British proposals and repudiare the suzerainty. War is therefore considered inevitable. The ' Daily Chronicle' states that the Boers have rejected, by a practically unanimous vote, tho British proposals. Sept. 17. Reuter's correspondent says the dominant feeling in Pretoria is one of strong distrust in Great Britain's assurances as to the maintenance of the independence of the Transvaal. Pretoria Sept. 15. It is expected that 3000 Boers will be sent to the frontier when the reply to Mr Chamberlain's message is despatched. Rifles are being issued to Johannesburg burghers. Sept. 17. The Boer attitude towards the residents of Kimberley, Veryburg and Mafeking is most menacing. Eight hundred Holland» r s in Pretoria have offered to fight ue British. The Transvaal Government's reply to Mr Chamberlain's dispatch has been handed to Mr Greene, the British representative. All reports agree that the reply adheres to the terms of the convention between Great Britain and Transvaal, entered into in 1884. It assents to a seven year's franchise for the Uitlanders; repudiates Great Britain's suzerainty and rejects the proposal for equality of languages, but accepts the arbitration proposals. The Orange Free State endorses the reply and is expected to co-operate in resistance to Great Britain. The reply explains that the stipulation for obtaining the franchise after five years by new arrivals would, if accepted, be destructive of the independence of the Republic unless Great Britain accepted conditions annexed thereto and subsequently remained quiescent. Otherwise, the new burghers five years hence would outnumber the old and still look to Great Britain as their suzerain. Capetown - . Sept. 16. The Afrikanders are keenly disappointed at the failure of their influence with the Boers. Young Boers are urging immediate hostilities. The Ist battalion of the Royal Fusiliers has arrived at Natal, also battalion of the Manchester Regiment, with the medical corps, dispatched from Gibraltar. Sr.pt 17. The prevailing feeii »g here is that it would be impossible and undignified for Great Britain to re-enter into argument with the Republic. The Boers admit that their reply is a non-compromising one, compelling a decision. Berlin, Sept. 15. Public opinion in Berlin approves of Mr Chamberlain's demand for equality of languages and of the British franchise proposals. London, Sept. 18. The ' Daily Telegraph' states that Mr Hoffnieyer has wired to President Steyn to use his influence to prevent war, and that Steyn replied that it was too late. ' The Times' considers the reply a flat refusal of the British terms and that the Government must secure a final settlement. Washington, Berlin, Vienna and Rome consider the Briti-h proposals just and reasonable and th-.. Transvaal entirely wrong. It is reported that Germany has warned her subjects that if they tight for the Transvaal their nationality will not protect them. The • Standard' declares that the Boers will yield if the Powers recommend acceptance of the British proposals. Capetown, Sept. 18. A regiment of Bechuanaland troops has been sent to Mafeking, Sir A. Milner has announced that it was a breach of international law for Orange Free State to compel aliens to fight. A force, 1000 strong, is being enrolled at Kimberley to protect the town. Fourteen guns belonging to the Transvaal have arrived near Laing's Nek. Sydney, September 18. Latest Cape tiles, commenting on the possibility of Orange Ftv State joining the Transvaal, state that one of the most important results will be that the trunk line to Johannesburg and Pretoria through Orai'ge Free .State will be blocked by the British.