THE TRANSVAAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 13

THE TRANSVAAL.

PRESIDENT KRUOEJR GIVES WAY. THE CRISIS ENDED. THE FEANCHJSE AFTEE SEVEN YEARS. THE FEANCHISE PASSED. LONDON, July 18. In the House of Commons, Mr Balfour announced that an opportunity to discuss the Transvaal situation would be given before the prorogation of Parliament. Sir Alfred Milner lias assured Mr Chamberlain that the latest proposal by the Transvaal would enfranchise less than half those entitled to vote under his scheme, and it is doubtful if Uitlanders would be able to capture any of the new seats. The Daily Telegraph states that the First Scots Guards and the Second Grenadiers have been ordered to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to South Africa. July 19. The Times says the Transvaal crisis has ended. Mr Chamberlain appears to have fully achieved his object. It is believed it is intended to increase the goklfields representation to nine, including Barberton. July 20. The Times states that the Transvaal still insists on a high, property qualification and naturalisation under vexatious conditions. Lagos and the Malay States each offered to send 300 soldiers to South Africa. July 21. Mr Chamberlain has confirmed the franchise concession. He states that he has heard unofficially that it was intended to give seven new seats bo districts chiefly inhabited by aliens. If>this was confirmed he hoped to arrange for a basis of settlement on Sir Alfred Milner's lines. Though there were a number of conditions retained which would possibly imperil the value of the concessions, he was confident President Kruger would reconsider details, and not alloy the concessions or permit them to be nullified by future legislation or administration. The South African League meeting declared that the restrictions imposed would render the franchise practically valueless. The Imperial Government continue to make preca\itionary preparations in regard to South Africa. Eleven batteries of artillery are ready for despatch from Woolwich. July 22. The Standard and Morning Post's special cables state that Mr Schreiner, Premier of Capo Colony, on hearing Great Britain's reported disposition to compromise, telegraphed to President Kruger, exhorting him to yield no further, but await the Imperial despatch, which will probably open the door to arbitration. Mr Schreiner concluded his message with the words " Festina lente." The Daily Telegraph's and Morning Post's special cables state that Mr Hofmeyer, on hearing of Great Britain's disposition to compromise, telegraphed to President Kruger that the South African Republic was not yet " out of the wood." CAPETOWN, July 17. The mother of the Cape Premier (Hon. W. P. Schreiner) has expressed unbounded admiration for Air Cecil Rhodes, and wishes him success in his Imperial policy in South Africa. Fifty loads of material and workmen have been despatched to construct a telegraph line from Mafeking through Basutoland to Natal. July 18. The reticence of the Cape-Parliament has impressed the Boers, and is influencing the Raads to listen to the advice of the progressives to make a sufficient concession to secure a peaceful solution. July 19. Mr Schreiner, the Premier, replying to Sir Gordon Sprigg, deprecated discussion

, on the Transvaal matter at the present I juncture. Mr Rhodes has arrived at Capetown. He received an immense ovation. Delegates from all parts of South Africa, including Dutch, presented an address of welcome. Mr Rhodes, in a speech, declared that England was determined not to encourage the i nebulous ideas of Republicans. The grant- • ing of equal rights was the only solution of the difficulty in the Transvaal. Both ' parties in England were tumbling over one another in their zeal to prove which were i the greater Imperialists. He eulogised the I Emperor of Germany, and said he was confident Lord Kitchener would soon find enough money to complete the KhartoumUganda railway. I - ■ July 20. I The loyalist people in Johannesburg and Capetown are disappointed at Great Britain's acceptance, of the compromise offered by President Kruger, which they fear will prove illusory. Natal, however, is more , satisfied with the result. j The statement made by the London Times, that the Transvaal crisis had been ' i ended by Great Britain's acceptance of the j Volksraad's concession of seven years' prosi pectiye and retrospective franchise to the j Uitlanders, has caused consternation at i Capetown. . July 21. The Uitlanders have' called a meeting to condemn the franchise proposals, and to- ' demand a more complete settlement. j "Mr Rhodes, addressing a meeting here, j scouted the idea of war. I July 24. Mr Sohreiner asserts that the interpretation placed on his telegram to President Kruger is completely erroneous. He was only anxious to prevent the premature passing of the franchise before the arrival of Imperial despatches. PRETORIA, July 19. The Volksraad, with five dissentients, conI ceded a seven years' prospective and retro- ' spective franchise. I President Kruger supported the proposal, ', and said honesty and righteousness would not imperil independence, while they would gain the applause of the whole world. General Joubert concurred. July 20. It is reported here that the Government have arranged to cancel the dynamite I monopoly. | I The franchise proposal has finally ( passed the Raads, and comes into operaj tion as soon as gazetted. It empowers the Executive to dispense witih naturalisation conditions in the event of service rendered to the country. The act facilitates the enfranchisement of alien youths. July 24. The Transvaal conspirators will only be charged with incitement to riot. JOHANNESBURG, July 22. Mr Chamberlain's speech has dispelled the alarm felt here that Great Britain was about to accept a weak compromise. NAPLES, July 21. The German steamer Konig has left here with a large cargo of rifles, ammunition, and mules for the Transvaal.