CABLEGRAMS.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1477, 9 February 1903, Page 2

CABLEGRAMS.

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SOUTH AFKICA. Capetown, February 6. Mr Chamberlain was presented with an address of welcome at Bloem*ontein from the municipalities of the Orange Colony, wherein all the Dutch delegates concurred, expressing the hope tbat Bloemfontein would soon be a federal capital. Mr Chamberlain, in returning thanks, declared that he was overwhelmed with kindness, and interpreted the rejoicings of the occasion as unique aud the reception accorded him on Tuesday to mean that they recognised the motives of his visit.

Mr Chamberlain, speaking at Bloemfontein, promised the new colonies a progressive Government on the lines of the late President Brand's policy. He added that during his tour he found that the destruction of property during the war was greater than he had anticipated. Atl the destruction had been in the later stages of the war. Had peace been declared at the date of the fall of Pretoria and the disappearance of the Boer Government, nine-tenths of the suffering would have been avoided.

The leading Boers interviewed Mr Chamberlain at Bloemfonteinj and his replies to them dispelled any lingering doubts. They now express themselves convinced of his conciliatoriness and sincerity. They also consider that Colonel Goold Adams, the Lieutenant - Governor of the Orange Colony, is the right man in the right place.

Mr Chamberlain has informed a deputation of the municipality of Bloemfontein that responsible government cannot be granted for some time, though it will be given as soon as it can safely be allowed. to the absence of an early notification that the Immigration Act of Cape Colony would be enforced, be tween one and two thousand aliens are voyaging to Capetown, many of them liable to exclusion. Those so liable will be carried to Australia, whence they will be re-transported to Europe. Capetown, February 7.

Christian De Wet, with a party of the last fighters, had a two hours' interview with Mr Chamberlain, who declined to receive an address dealing with the language question. They accused the Government of contravening the Vereeniging terms, especially regarding the amnesty. This Mr Chamberlain indignantly denied. The debate was heated. De Wet was anxious to tear up the Vereeniging arrangements and begin afresh. Mr Chamberlain's reoly was direct and forcibly uncompromising. The ' Hands-uppers ' and National Scouts later on thanked Mr Chamberlain for all he had done, and gave pledges of unswerving loyalty. The delegates previous to tne deputation declined the Government hospitality.

Mr Chamberlain was not satisfied with the representative character of the first burgher deputation, which was supposed to represent three sections.

Then came Christian Da Wet's delegation, including Hertzog, George Brand and Dr Ain. Mr Chamberlain declared that if "Vereeniging treaty was revised he would dictate the terms. Piefc De Wet headed a more influential section of loyalists. THE LATE WAB. London, February 6. The medical officer of the ' Scallywag ' Corps, writing from New Zealand in a letter to Tde Times, states : ' Hundreds of us are waiting for pay allowances, despite repeated applications to the War Office. After cabling to the Cape and Natal, the War Office declares that ail officers' claims have been fully settled, though the special gratuiry has been withheld iu some cases where accounts were not satisfactorily rendered.' Colonel Rimington. of Kimington's Scouts, testifj'ing before the War Commission, expressed a high opinion of nearly all the colonial officers, and stated that Australia, New Zealand, and Canada were able to supply an enormous number of good cavalry if properly trained. The Australian war correspondents who were awarded medals were : Mr Donald Macdonald (Melbourne Argus), Mr Lambie (Melbourne Age), Mr Wilkinson (Sydney Daily Telegraph) and Mr Collins, of JReuter's Agency. GEEMAN NAVY. Berlin, February 6. In the Reichstag Count von Bulow, replying to a member's contention that the navy was not needed, asserted that a majority of the Germans were coavinced that they were entitled to build a fleet, not for the purposes of aggression, but for the defeuce of the coasts and the protection of their countrymen and their interests oversea. ALASKAN BOUNDARY. New- York, February 6. Senators representing the Northwestern States of America maintain that there is nothing in the Alaskan boundary requiring arbitration. Present Eosevelt and Mr John Hay (Secretary for State), consider that the ratification of the Alaskan treaty is practically hopeless.

THE NIGER. Paris, February 6. A French flotilla has traversed the rapids at Boussa, a town situated on an island in the Niger, in the country of Gonda, Western Sbudan. These rapids were believed to be impassable, anJ this latest feat has demonstrated tho navigability of tho river. EARL OF SELBORNE. London, February 6. The health of the Earl of Selborne, First Lord of the Admiralty, who has been suffering from rheumatism, has improved. MACEDONIA. London, February 6. A movement has been initiated to secure Greek administration of Southern Macedonia oti Cretan lines. THE KING. London, February 0. Tho King's progress is well, maintained.