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PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS.

PROPOSAL OF GREAT BRITAIN FOR A JOINT INQUIRY.

_British Agent to South African Republic, August 2, 1899._

Her Majesty's Government authorize me to invite President of South
African Republic to appoint delegates to discuss with delegates to be
appointed by me on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, whether Uitlander
population will be given immediate and substantial representation by
franchise law recently passed by Volksraad, together with other measures
connected with it, such as increase of seats, and, if not, what
additions or alterations may be necessary to secure that result. In this
discussion it should be understood that the delegates of Her Majesty's
Government would be free to make any suggestions calculated to improve
measures in question and secure their attaining the end desired.
Personally I wish to add the expression of my earnest hope that
Government of South African Republic may accept this proposal, and that
we may proceed to discuss the composition of the proposed Commission,
method of procedure, and place of meeting, at once. Government of South
African Republic will, I feel sure, agree with me that, if proposal of
Her Majesty's Government is accepted, the inquiry should be held as soon
as possible.

ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC.

_F.W. Reitz to British Agent._

_19th August._

_Sir_, With reference to your proposal for a joint enquiry in your
dispatches of the 2nd and 3rd August, Government of South African
Republic have the honour to suggest the following alternative proposal
for consideration of Her Majesty's Government, which this Government
trusts may lead to a final settlement: (1) The Government are willing to
recommend to the Volksraad and the people a 5 years' retrospective
franchise, as proposed by His Excellency the High Commissioner on the
1st June, 1899. (2) The Government are further willing to recommend to
the Volksraad that 8 new seats in the First Volksraad, and, if
necessary, also in the Second Volksraad, be given to the population of
the Witwatersrand, thus with the 2 sitting members for the Goldfields,
giving to the population thereof 10 representatives in a Raad of 36, and
in future the representation of the Goldfields of this Republic shall
not fall below the proportion of one-fourth of the total. (3) The new
burghers shall equally with the old burghers be entitled to vote at the
election for