has already been noted that the Franchise Law of 1890 excluded
Uitlanders from full burgher rights until after twenty-one years'
probation. The reduction to seven years was proclaimed to be a
concession to meet Mr. Chamberlain's demand. The simile, as addressed to
the Volksraad and published in the journals, ran as follows:--

"First my coat was demanded of me, which I gave; next were asked my
boots, vest, and trousers. I surrendered these as well; and now, as I
stand in my bare shirt, my limbs are wanted besides."

The people were thus led to be unanimous in the resolve to oppose any
further concession, and to view Sir Alfred Milner's unconditional
insistence for a five years' franchise as a conclusive proof that
England in reality wanted no less than the country itself. In this way
the Boer mind was designedly fashioned into the conviction that war was
inevitable, and that both President and people were absolved from all
responsibility in it. Had the offered franchise of seven years and the
subsequent one of five years been honestly meant, there should, indeed,
have been little difficulty for adjusting in the one case the difference
of two years; but it being so surrounded by impossible trammels that
what purported to be an egg proved more like a stone, and even that was
not intended to be given, it was a mere subterfuge to gain time for
carrying out Bond designs.

ALLIANCE OF ORANGE FREE STATE WITH TRANSVAAL--SUZERAINTY
SQUABBLE--ARMAMENTS BEFORE JAMESON RAID

The project of alliance between the Transvaal and the Orange Free State
had been mooted before 1890. After that came conferences between the
respective Presidents and delegates for closer union as it was then
styled. Mr. John G. Fraser, one of the noblest and most distinguished
Orange Free State statesmen, was conspicuous among the few opponents.
His arguments against federation were so logical and conclusive that it
seemed for a while that the idea would have to be renounced. Among other
grounds adduced against that alliance was the fact that England
possessed claims of suzerainty over the Transvaal, and, the Orange Free
State itself being entirely independent, the incongruity and
incompatibility were obvious of joining a vassal State. There was
trouble if not danger lurking behind it, if such two States were to join
in an actual federation. Whatever was desirable for mutual advantage
might be attained without offensive and defensive alliance. The