CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 19 September 1899, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

the Transvaal. It is rumoured that the Raad has decided to adjourn for ten days in order to consult the constituencies, beliving that the concession of a five years' qualification of the franchise will not; put an end to interference with the internal affairs of the Republic. Tbero is a strong disposition on the part of legislators to resist British suzerainty. Burghers have been warned to be in instant readiness to take up arms. A thousand men are engaged in strengthening the defences at Pretoria, excavating trenches and constructing earthworks. Agar Ellis,- who figured as'informer in connection with the trial of the men charged with an alleged attempt to raise an insurrection io the Transvaal, was foolish enough to venture across the frontier and show himself at Ladysmith. a Natal town.

There he was recognised and was 3eized by an indignant crowd, who tarivd and feathered him. M. Dilcassc, Minister fur Foreign Affairs, has directed the French Consul at Pretoria to advise Prpsirtent Kruger to accept the conditions laid dawn by Great Britain. The reply of the Transvaal Go vernment to Mr Chamberlain-; despatch has been handed to Mr Conynghara Greene, the British resident in Pretoria. AH reports as to the nature of th? reply agree on the following points : — The reply contends for an ad* herence to the term* of the eon. vention between Great Britain and Transvaal entered into in 1884. It assents to the granting of the franchise to ou danders on the basis of a seven years' qualification, It repudiates Great Britain'? claim of suzerainty over the Transvaal. It rejects the proposal that all European languages shall be placed on an equality with Dutch in schools and other institutions in' the Transvaal. It accepts the proposal for the establishment of an Arbitration tribunal to settle future differences. The Government of the Orange Free endorses tin Transvaal Government reply to Mr Chamberlain's despatch. It is expected that the Free State will co-operate with the Transvaal in resistance to Great Britain's demands. The Boers admit that the reply of their Government to Mr Chamberlain's despatch is non-compromising, and one that will compel a decision dr either peace or war on the part of Great Britain. The "Diily Chronicle" states that the Boers have rejected by a practically unanimous vote on tbe British demands, as set out in Mr Chamberlain's latest despatch. Public" opinion in Berlin is with the demand made by the British Colonial Secretary that all languages shall ba placed in a position of equality in the Transvaal. Feeling in Germaany also approves of the British proposals on the franchise question, and it is urged that they should be immediately given effect to.