CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 26 September 1899, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

# The Transvaal. Some of the burghers are petitioning President Krugor for permission to rush certain strategical points acro33 the Transvaal frontier! A secret session of tha Volkavaad in now proceeding. President; Sfieyn has advised the Raad that the Orange Fceo Stat J should co operate with the difficulty. In his speech he accused Mr Ojnyngham Groane. British re3i dent at Pretoria, of decoying President K>uger into unking franchise concessions. Ha also charged Great Britain with breach of faith, and said he was disinclined to advisi thj Transvaal Legislature to accede to th? latest British demands The terras offered by President Kroner at the Bloeinfontein Conferenea were, In considered, exceedingly fair. Sir Alfred Milner, H'gh Cjoi misaioner of British South Africa, in his letter to President Steyn inquiring as to the attitude of the Orange Free State in regard to the Transvaal

question, gave a reassurance as to ihe presence of British Boldiers on the frontier. Further, the High Cniimiß3ioner undertook to respect the integrity of theOmoge Free S*ate, and expressed he hopo thit the latter wou'd pre erve neutrally in the event of hostilities between Great Britain ana* the Transvaal, and prevent any military intervention on the part of itd own citizens. President Sseyn his sent a reply Id which he promises to do his best to allay excisement within his Republic. If, however, ho adds, the burghers of the Orange Free State regard Britain's military movements a* menacing, the responsibility will not be hi 3. Sir Alfred Milner is asking for an explanation of the language by President Steyn at the opening of the Orange Free State Vo'.ksraad. It is announced that the Cabinet on Friday decided to send an interim despatch to the Transvaal Govern^ ment protesting against the accusation of bad faith whish has been made against Mr Conyngham Greene, British Basident at Pretoria; renewing assurances that there is no intention on the part of Great Britain to touch the independence of the Transvaal ; regretting the refusal of proposals recently mads, and stating that next Friday the British Government will proceed to make other proposals. It is surmised that tha object of the delay till next Friday is to allow of the arrival of the reinforcements which are now on the way to Natal. The "Times" states that the starting point of future negotiations with the the Transvaal Government will be radically altered by the British Government. The British interim despatch hints that the negotiations in regard to the franchise question are closed. It is believed that the despatch opens with a chapter bearing oo Great Britain's claim to paraimumcy in South Africa. It is reported that the British intend to immediately occupy Liing's Nek. Afrikanders assert that the Boers will act on the defensive on the Natal border, but take the offensive along the Orange river. A complete army corps is being equipped, in order to enable Sir Rsdvers Buller to operate with live thousand men. The Hou J. I Tarte, Canadian Minister of Public Work.?, who recently visited England, if organising a regiment of volunteers 1 f.ir service in South Africa, M-iny French Canadians ara joining the , aontingint. Another prominent Canadian has >ff e red to insure the lives of a Gbousani men who nny volunteer to the extent of a million dollar? (£200,000) for the benefit of theii fanrlies. Mr Chamberlain, Se3retary of State for the Colonies, has expressed the thinks of the Imperial Governor* ub to tin Cinadians for thei patriotic off -rs.