“Every foreigner who can prove satisfactorily that he has been a resident in the country for five [[233]]years; that he desires to make it his permanent place of residence; that he is prepared to take the oath to obey the laws, to undertake all obligations of citizenship, and to defend the independence of the country; should be allowed to become a citizen on taking that oath.”
Sir Alfred Milner modified these proposals by suggesting that the franchise be restricted to persons possessing a specific amount of property or of yearly wages, and who have good characters. He asked, further, that “in order to make that proposal of any real use for the new citizens, who mostly live in one district, * * * there should be a certain number of new constituencies created,” and that “the number of these districts should not be so small as to leave the representatives of the new population in a contemptible minority.”
President Kruger did not accept Sir Alfred’s proposals, and submitted counter proposals as follows:
“1. Every person who fixes his residence in the South African Republic has to get himself registered on the Field Cornet’s books within fourteen days after his arrival, according to the existing law. He will be able after complying with the conditions under ‘A’ and after the lapse [[234]]of two years to get himself naturalized, and will, five years after naturalization, on complying with the conditions under ‘B,’ obtain the full franchise.
“A.
“1. Six months’ notice of intention to apply for naturalization. 2. Two years’ continuous residence. 3. Residence in the South African Republic during that time. 4. No dishonoring sentence. 5. Proof of obedience to laws; no act against the government or independence. 6. Proof of full state citizenship and franchise or title thereto in former country. 7. Possession of unmortgaged property to the value of £150; or occupation of house to the rental of £50 per annum; or yearly income of at least £200. Nothing, however, shall prevent the government from granting naturalization to persons who have not satisfied this condition. 8. Taking of an oath similar to that of the Orange Free State.
“B.
“1. Continuous registration for five years after naturalization. 2. Continuous residence during that period. 3. No dishonoring sentence. 4. Proof of obedience to laws. 5. Proof that applicant still complies with the condition of A 7.”
In a memorandum which is a part of the records of the conference Sir Alfred Milner admitted [[235]]that President Kruger’s proposals were “a considerable advance upon the existing provisions as to franchise.” But he intimated that they stopped far short of the solution he had suggested, and which, he said, “alone appeared to be adequate to the needs of the case.” He also declared it a waste of time to discuss further details; and so the conference ended in failure.
Notwithstanding the failure of the conference, the Volksraad of the South African Republic passed a seven years’ retroactive franchise law on the 19th of July, 1899. This law was somewhat modified from the proposals submitted by President Kruger at the conference. It also gave the uitlanders additional representation in both raads, which President Kruger announced on the 27th of July as follows:
“By virtue of the powers conferred upon them the Executive Council yesterday decided to give three new members in each Volksraad for the Witwatersrand gold fields. That is to say, there are at present two members for both raads; the number will be increased to eight, four to sit in the first and four in the second raad. With the De Kaap representative, there will now be five members to represent the mining industry in a [[236]]proposed enlarged legislature of thirty-one members.”
In London it was believed that the action of the Volksraad was a long stride toward a peaceful solution of the difficulties. In the House of Commons Mr. Chamberlain, after reading a telegram from Sir Alfred Milner announcing the action of the Volksraad, said:
“I have no official information as to the redistribution, but it has been stated that the government of the South African Republic proposes to give seven new seats to the district chiefly inhabited by aliens.