The subject was brought up again on Wednesday by Major
Seely, to enable the Colonial Secretary—who had blundered badly over his statement in regard to the premiums on the proposed Transvaal loan—to explain the situation in regard to that contribution more fully. Mr. Lyttelton replied in a highly sentimental vein, urging patience and forbearance, dwelling on our vast sacrifices of blood and treasure to preserve the British Empire, and to gain equality for our fellow-citizens in the Trans- vaal. It would be deplorable, he continued, if after this tremen- dous sacrifice we should jeopardise its fruits by insisting on repayment earlier than we need do. He thought it might produce so serious a state of affairs to put the question to the present nominative Assembly that he had forborne to do so. But as the Daily Chronicle points out, when "once the representative Assembly is installed, it will have no' official cognisance of the bargain whatever; it will have been no party to it ; it will find no reference to it in-the obligations which it takes over." How, then, as Sir Edward Grey asked, could there be any confidence in these optimistic anticipations as to the future P The rash and impulsive action of Mr. Chamber- lain in introducing this question of the war contribution was more than ever to be deplored, because it was more and more in danger of becoming a source of friction between us and the Transvaal when representative government had been con, ferred. Ultimately the vote was carried by. 256 to 196, or a Government majority of 60.
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