'THE TRANSVAAL, Wo are still waiting for the reply of the Boer Government to Mr. Chamberlain's proposal for a joint commission of enquiry as to the effect of the concession offered to the Outlanders in the way of enfranchisement; and during the past week warlike preparations have been going on apace both hero and in South' Africa. The most significant of these preparations on our side has been the recall of General Sir William Butler from the Cape and the appointment of General Sir F. Forestier Walker, now commanding at Devonport, to succeed him. Altogether the outlook has become more and more gloomy throughout the week; but this morning the prospect has suddenly cleared a little. Telegrams received from the Times correspondent at Johannesburg and from other sources afford strong ground for hoping that the Boers have realised that we are in earnest. It is said that the reason for their delay in answering Mr. Chamberlain's dispatch is that they have been considering and resolving upon further concessions which they hope will render the proposed joint enquiry unnecessary. 'Their new proposal, it is believed, will be to yield naturalization and the franchise after five years' residence, and to withdraw the proviso as to continuous registration during these five years and the.other restrictions which would have rendered the concession illusory.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.