NEWS OF THE WEEK.
FRIDAY'S telegrams from the Transvaal are distinctly more hopeful. As far as can be gathered from the peeps behind an only partially lifted veil, the situation is as follows. When the Boers received Mr. Chamberlain's pro- posal for a joint inquiry into the working of the Franchise Law, they rejected it, but offered instead to concede Sir Alfred Miler's terms, though only on condition that we abandoned the suzerainty, agreed to arbitration, and promised not to regard the present interference as a precedent. To this we replied that we did not insist upon a joint inquiry, but that we would make an independent unilateral inquiry through our own Agent at Pretoria. We refused, of coarse, to hold any parley as to the abandonment of the suzera:nty, but would consider reasonable proposals as to arbitration. As to future interference, we hoped that it would not be needed if equal rights were granted. The franchise proposals we acknowledged (subject, of course, to inquiry) to be on the lines of Sir Alfred Milner's scheme. To this " rejoinder " the Boers are now considering "further pleadings," and it is stated, apparently on good authority, that they are framing a "Milner" Franchise Bill, their previous 'conditions" being abandoned. When the Bill is passed, and doubtless after it has been inquired into by our Agent, it will be submitted to the people.
