THE TRANSVAAL.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 449, 17 June 1899, Page 3

THE TRANSVAAL.

IMPORTANT BLU.-, BOOK. PROPOSED REMEDY. A VEILED ULTIMATUM. KRUGER NOT WARLIKE. [united press association]. (by electric telegraph—copyright). London, June 14. Mr Chamberlain, in reply to the Uitlanders' petition, says it contains a strong indictment of Boer tyranny. The paramount power, he says, cannot permanently endure the Uit* landers' arbitrary treatment. He bad urged reforms, and suggested that Sir A. Milner and President Kruger should confer at Pretoria, but Kruger had induced the Orange Free State to invite him to Bloemfoutein. June 15. A Blue Book on the Transvaal difficulty has been issued. Sir A. Milner, in a despatch dated May sth, 6aid the case for intervention was overwhelming. The Uitlanders' position had tremendously changed for the worse since the Jameson raid. The spectacle of thousands of Britishers permanently in the position of helots was undermining British influence, and encouraging Dutch disaffection. There was no cure for the situation except by a striking proof of Britain's intention not to be ousted from South Africa. A fair measure of Uitlanders representation was the true remedy for extinguishing political unrest and race feuds. Mr Chamberlain, in a despatch, said Britain was reluctant to depart from her attitude of reserve and expectancy. He hoped the Transvaal would remove a standing danger to peace, thus removing any pretext for British interference. The publication of. the despatches is regarded as a veiled ultimatum. The Daily Telegraph states that the Dutch Ministry cautioned President Kruger that his policy would prove disastrous. Dr. Leyds received despatches stating that the Transvaal will continue to make concessions even in regard to the franchise, independently of Britain's acceptance of arbitration. Pretoria, June 14. The moderate section of the burghers appear to favour granting the franchise to Uitlanders seven years after naturalisation, instead of 12 as at present, the concession to be retroactive with the existing probationary provisions with regard to residence prior to naturalisation. President Kruger, in thanking the Volksraad for accepting his franchise proposals, declared that the other side had not conceded one tittle. He did not want war, but he would not give more. God had always defended the Boers in maintaining their independence. Capetown, June 14. The feeling here is not warlike. Mr Rose Innes supports the British minimum. Mr Hofmeyer, the Leader of the Afrikander party, maintains silence on the subject, an action which has been condemned. Enormous quantities of forage have been sent to the cavalry depots at Natal.