The Waikato Argus. GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1897.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 135, 18 May 1897, Page 2

The Waikato Argus. GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1897.

It is stated that the Orange Free State has intimated to President Kruger that he will not receive any assistance from them in the event of war accruing from the refusal of his Government to abide by the letter of the London Convention. This is one more sign, which taken in conjunction with the repeal of the Aliens Act by the Volksraad, that the peace of South Africa will not be disturbed in consequence of differences between the Transvaal and the British Government. The determination of Britain to continue to be paramount in South Africa is now fully recognised, and so long as the Transvaal and the Orange Free State do not stand in the road of development, they will be left undisturbed to fulfil their own destinies, but no longer. The banquet tendered on the 28th March to Sir Alfred Mil tier prior to his departure to takeup the duties of High Commissioner of South Africa was a powerful object lesson. It ivas attended by leading statesmen of both parties, and there was not a discordant note sounded in any of the post-prandial speeches. There was no mistaking the meaning of the Secretary for (he Colonies; he distinctly told the Government of the Transvaal that nothing short of strict adherence to the London Convention would satisfy the British nation, and in this connection Mr Chamberlain expressed a hope that the Republic would extend the hand of fellowship to that large number of foreigners who had contributed so much to the success and prosperity of that State. He also pointed out that another condition which will have to be fulfilled is the abandonment of any attempt at an independent federation of states under which Dutch influence would be predominant, and which would look for sympathy and support rather to the continent of Europe than to Britain. The speech of Sir Alfred Mil tier was reserved, and such a one as could be looked for from a man whose personal qualities justify the high eulogies pronounced upon him by leading statesmen, who had had the opportunity of judging of his temperament and ability. His speech indicated that in dealing with difficult African questions, lie will avoid offending the susceptibilities of the Butch, but at the same time there was no room left for the supposition that he would countenance any acts subversive of British power and British supremacy, lie also, as did Mr Chamberlain, made it clearly to be understood that any interference by Germany or any other Power would bo promptly resented. There was no sign of wobble in any of the speeches, each speaker recognised with Mr Chamberlain that the Cape is "the most important strategical point in the Empire, and one the possession of which is absolutely necessary to us as a great Eastern Power." The firmness of the British Government, and the endorsement of their policy in this respect by the leaders of the party which would succeed them were political disaster to fall, has already borne fruit. The Alien Act has been repealed, the Orange Free State has spoken, and active assistance from Germany is out of the question. In view of all these facts we believe that the danger of war in South Africa has passed. There is no fear whatever tiiat Great Britain will force hostilities upon the hutch Republic so long as it adheres in letter and in spirit to the terms of the London Convention.