In 1884 a new agreement was entered into which expressly stated that England no longer wanted these rights, and that the Transvaal was free to govern the country without interference, and to manage its own foreign affairs as it pleased. One right only did England demand, and that was that the Transvaal should not make any treaty with a foreign country without the approval of the Queen. It stated that the Transvaal Government must send her Majesty a copy of any treaty it desired to make, and that if England notified the Boers within six months that the proposed treaty interfered with her rights in South Africa, it must be abandoned. Nothing was said in this agreement which prevented the Transvaal from having friendly dealings with foreign powers. Mr. Chamberlain seems to have become confused about the contents of the London convention of 1884, and to have got it mixed with the treaty of 1881. The brave old President of the Transvaal has, however, determined to refresh his memory. In his speech before the Volksraad he stated grimly that the Boers would oppose to the last any attempt on the part of England to enforce her fancied rights, and having declared himself emphatically for war, he concluded with one of his quaint, pious remarks. He said the Boers wished to preserve peaceful and friendly relations with the whole world, because wherever love dwelt the blessing of God was sure to follow. President Krüger's defiance was regarded by the British Government as mere speech-making. The Government refused to believe that the old man wished his words to be taken seriously, and so passed the whole affair over as unworthy of notice. Mr. Chamberlain has been instructed to enforce Great Britain's sovereign rights in the Transvaal, and notwithstanding the fact that several of the London newspapers are calling attention to the treaty of 1884, he is determined to insist on these rights. It was rumored some time ago that as soon as the Greek troubles were out of the way, Germany, France, and Russia would take up the Transvaal question. This may perhaps be the reason why the Boer President so bravely defies the British Government, and if Mr. Chamberlain tries to force the Transvaal to submit, he may find that he has to reckon with these three powerful countries as well as the handful of Dutchmen in the South African Republic. * * * * * A terrible tragedy has occurred in Pennsylvania at a place called Hazleton, about twenty-five miles from Wilkesbarre. Some miners were shot and killed by order of the sheriff of the county. These miners were out on strike, their strike, however, not being in any way connected with the great coal strike of which we have told you in previous numbers. These men were dissatisfied because an extra two-hours' work was forced upon them every day without extra pay.