ublic proposes that the
contested points of the Convention shall be submitted to
arbitration, the arbitrator to be appointed by the President of the
Swiss Confederation. In making this proposal the Government appears
to have misunderstood the difference existing between the
Conventions of 1881 and 1884 and an ordinary treaty between two
independent powers."

The conventions had been made up; they did not suit the Government of
the South African Republic. Could the British Government say: "They do
not suit you. Very well, we will ask the head of a foreign State to
appoint an arbitrator by whom they will be considered and annulled in
the event of his sympathizing with you."

In diplomatic terms Mr. Chamberlain explains that the English Government
could not carry its condescension so far as to subject to the judgment
of a foreigner the result of its policy and the negotiations of its
diplomats. On April 16th, 1898, a claim was made by Dr. Leyds for: "A
tribunal under international law for the especial purpose of deciding
differences of opinion regarding the mode of Government, and the rights
and obligations of the South African Republic towards the British
Government." Again Mr. Chamberlain replied, on December 15th, 1898, that
the English Government could admit of no intervention of a Foreign power
between the Pretoria Government and itself.

During the afternoon of the second day of the Bloemfontein Conference
the arbitration question with regard to Swazieland, was raised by Mr.
Krueger. He returned to the subject on the third day, as follows:--

"In the event of Swazieland becoming part of my Republic; an
agreement being arrived at with reference to the Jameson Raid
indemnity; Her Majesty's Government agreeing to interfere no more
with my internal government; and arriving at an acceptable solution
of the Franchise Question; the matter of English subjects, who,
having no need to become burghers, yet still have reason to
complain of illegal actions, might be submitted to arbitration."

Sir Alfred Milner replied that: "the English Government could not allow
interference between itself and the South African Republic, of a foreign
power or influence; that it might, however, be possible to consider some
other way of nominating an impartial tribunal, and examining certain
questions; but that he himself was not authorised to do so."

In conclusion President