simply ridiculous.

"I have always been a well-wisher to the Republic, and if I had any
influence with the President I would advise him no longer to sit on
the boiler to prevent it from bursting. Some safety-valves are
required for the activities of the new population. In their
irritation they abuse the Government, often unjustly, in the press,
and send petitions to the Queen, but that was only to be expected.
Let the Transvaal Legislature give them a liberal franchise and
allow them local self-government for their towns and some portion
of the discontent will be allayed."

This, I beg to observe, is exactly what I said at the time when people
in Europe who called themselves friends of the Boers yet are only Dr.
Leyds' friends or rather dupes urged upon Mr. Krueger the expediency of
going on with his mistaken and retrograde policy, and continental
diplomatists assured him that he might with impunity disregard the
claims of the Uitlanders and England's warnings.

Those who have never condescended to read the Blue Book or the short
chapter in this pamphlet, in which an analysis of this Blue Book is
given are never tired of referring to concessions and franchise schemes
proffered by Mr. Krueger.

What does Sir Henry de Villiers say about it!

"The franchise proposal made by the President seems to be simply
ridiculous."

To Mr. Krueger he sent the English Enactment of 1870 on Naturalisation,
and urged him to have it adopted. Is not this an answer to those who
contended that England "would not be satisfied with what she offered the
Transvaal?"

At the same time his lack of confidence in the Volksraad's promises is
shown here:

"I fear there would always still be a danger of the Volksraad
revoking the gift before it has come into operation."

His second letter is dated 31st of July, more than six weeks after the
Bloemfontein Conference. He writes to Mr. Fischer who acted as
go-between the Cape Afrikanders and President Krueger. Mr. Chamberlain
had requested that a mixed Commission be appointed to enquire into the
merits of the franchise law, passed in accordance with Mr. Krueger's
proposals. Here is Sir Henry de Villiers' judgment upon Mr. Krueger's and
Mr. Chamberlain's proceedings.

"I am convinced Mr. Krueger's friends must now regret they did not
recommend to President Krueger three months ago, as I strongly
urged, to offer volun