Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/387

 1899.] Africa, — Transvaal. — Suzerainty. [379

spatch should show that the existing electoral law could be made more efficacious, the Transvaal Government was ready to make proposals to the Volksraad with this object, but was of opinion that the result of such an inquiry would be of little value.

Where a difference existed between the telegram of August 2 received from the High Commissioner and Mr. Chamberlain's despatch of July 22, the Transvaal felt bound to adhere to the contents of the latter. In that despatch it was said that the stipulations of the law were complicated and gave rise to technical questions, so that the best means of treating these questions would be by means of a conference of the delegates of the two Governments, who would send the results of this conference with their views upon it to their respective Governments, and considering that by these proposals Great Britain did not aim at any interference in Transvaal affairs, and that the action could not be regarded as a precedent, but only to ascertain if the franchise law fulfils its object, the Transvaal Government would await the ulterior proposals of Great Britain as to the constitu- tion of such a commission as well as the place and time of meeting.

The Transvaal further proposed to send, at an early date, a fresh reply to the letter of July 27, and expressed satisfac- tion that Great Britain had declared herself ready to negotiate respecting a court of arbitration.

It desired to learn whether the burghers of the Free State would be admitted to such a court, and what proposals would be discussed by the court; but it appeared to the Transvaal that the restrictions imposed would prevent the objects aimed at from being attained.

After a Cabinet meeting of the British Government (Sept. 8) Mr, Chamberlain sent a despatch, which was read in both Volksraads on September 12. It demanded a five years franchise ; a (quarter representation in the Baad for the gold fields' interest; equality of the Dutch and English languages in the Volksraad; and equality of the old and new burghers in presidential and other elections.

The Transvaal reply (Sept. 16) to Mr. Chamberlain's despatch of September 8 accepted the proposals for a Joint Commission, but objected to the use of the English language by new members to be chosen for the Volksraad. It practically repudiated the suzerainty of Great Britain, and it was evidently a document intended to cause endless discussion and delay.

President Kruger sent (Sept. 21) by cable an appeal to the Queen to interpose, to prevent bloodshed.

Mr. Chamberlain's letter to Sir A. Milner of September 22, replying to the Transvaal note of September 2, stated that her Majesty's Government absolutely repudiated the view of the political status of the Transvaal, as expressed in the note addressed to the Colonial Secretary on April 18, 1898, and in