The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1899.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 2978, 15 June 1899, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1899.

Affaibs m the Transvaal are m a very unsatisfactory condition, and unless substantial redress is speedily given to the Uitlanders serious trouble must ensue. It is impossible that the British Government can retreat from the position which they have taken up. When Sir Alfred Milner, replying to a deputation, said that unless the-Trans-vaal granted more liberal treatment to British subjects within the borders of the republic, other means would be found of achieving the desired result, he must have had m view the possibility of actual compulsion being resorted to. It is m fact obvious that that point will be reached unless President Kruger gives way and his legislature consents to the altered policy. Sir Alfred Milner made definite proposals regarding the franchise and the other matters concerning which the Uitlanders consider themselves aggrieved, and though even now be might abate somewhat m his demands the concessions would necessarily be very small. None but a few adventurers and hot-headed fools would like to see hostilities between Britain and the Transvaal, but that is the only solution of the difficulty if President Kruger continues obstinate. There seems to be a strong '' public opinion m England m favour lof the Uitlanders' cause, and the same may be said of Australasia a£ far as the people of the several colonies have given the subject their attention. Mr Chamberlain's policy m relation to South Africa is accepted pretty well throughout the Empire, and if it leads to a struggle ■with the Transvaal, m consequence of President Kruger's unreasonablenesß, there may be regret but the British Government will be supported. The result cannot be doubted. The Boers might show a bold front and give a good deal of trouble at the outset, but they would | inevitably be beaten, and the terms then demanded would be higher than those embodied m Sir Alfred Milner's proposals: Perhaps the best thing that could be done would be to blot out the Transvaal Ee-

public altogether and add the territory to British South Africa. Sooner or later that is what will happen, and the absorption might as well take place this year or next instead of perhaps a quarter of a century hence.