PEACE

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 93, 21 April 1902, Page 4

PEACE

No one will be over-confident of the .favourable issue of the negotia-

tions now in progress with a view to the cessation of hostilities in South Africa. We have on too many occasions now been disappointed when hopes ran high not to be just a little sceptical of the present favourable indications. We have come to believe that the wish being father to the thought, our judgments have been unintentional]v biassed, and decided-

ly over-sanguine in estimating the altitude of the Boer and the workings of his mind. At the same time, we must recognise that the present negotiations differ very widely from those which previously proved abortive. In the first place, and this is a very vital point indeed, they are the outcome of a move by the socalled Transvaal Boer Council.

It will be remembered that in the memorable, negotiations of March., 1901. the initial step was taken by Lord Kitchener, who forwarded to Louis Botha definitely formulated terms. These terms were, in the opinion of loyalists in South Africa, and many beyond its shores who have the interests of the Empire at heart, far too liberal. But at the suteajquent conference at Middleburg, after an armistice had been granted, Botha declined to discuss terms not providing some measure of independence to the annexed republics, and an amnesty to rebels.

On the present occasion the negotiations bear a very different complexion. A hard year's campaigning has intervened. The Boer ranks have been sadly depleted, and, despite captures from the British and circuitous ways of replenishing stores from outside, ammunition must be becoming scarcer. Of. big guns the commandos' stock is exhausted, and when they capture one it quickly finds its way back into British hands. But worse than all, the gradual completion of the system of blockhouses, and the facilities these chains of small forts present for clearing tracts of country by wide* sweeping movements, have made it very difficult indeed for the enemy to continue in the field. The north-east of Orange River Colony, the favourite campaigning ground of the redoubtable De Wet, has been made impossible for him. In the course of a few weeks he lost close on two thousand men in this district. The ability of the Boers to continue effective warfare is rapicrly disappearing. Then British troops are pouring into Africa in thousands weekly, and preparations are maturing for an even more vigorous campaign than has of late been waged. Of all this the Boer leaders are fully aware, and the hopelessness of their cause is a cloud without even a small shaft of sunshine penetrating it. The aspect of affairs has indeed changed since Botha abruptly concluded the conference with Lord Kitchener, more than a year ago.

This change is very evident in the little that we have learnt of the nature of, the negotiations proceeding to-day. The Boer leaders, who made the first move, have wpparently arrived at a basis of negotiation with Lords Kitchener and Milner. Probably it will be much less liberal than the offer of a year ago, but for this the Boers have but themselves to blame. That they are willing to accept in the main Britain's terms is evident, from the request to be allowed to place the case before the commandos. Very naturally they asked for an armistice to allow of this being- done; quite as naturally it was refused. It is in the delegates persistence in face of this refusal to grant an armistice that we have strong grounds for the belief that the present negotiations are more than an attempt to gain some advantage, and to provide a breathing space for the hard-pressed fighters.

That it is rather the persistence and dominating power of the leaders than the irreconcilable nature of their followers that has kept the enemy so long in the field is almost certain, although we have no definite warrant for making the assertion, If the commandants and political) heads 'are satisfied that British terms had better be accepted, and a number of the more important seem to be, then we may rest- assured that the protests of the rank and file will be neither loud nor prolonged. Winter is approaching, and the prospect of a hard campaign on the high veldt with scant food, insufficient clothing, and more often than not no covering, would chill the enthusiasm of the most rabid patriot and irreconcilable.

It will probably be some weeks before we have any definite announcement of the terms that Lords Kitchener and Milner offered the delegates, or of the fate that they met at the hands of the men who still fight for the republican flags. We, however, express a cautious judgement when we say that the probabilities of the declaration'of peace within the next month or so are much greater than they have hitherto been; and. further, that they present bright prospects of an early . and permanent cessation of the fighting that for two years and a-half has darkened a vast territory in South Africa.

•■ Her .Excellency the Countess of Ranfurly has kindly intimated her intention of accompanying His Excellency the Governor to St. George's Church, Takapuna, on Saturday next, when the foundation stone is to be laid. ' '.■/.

, When Mr Alfred Kidd was presented with a requisition to allow himself to be nominated for a second term as Mayor of Auckland, he naturally wanted to know who had been the leading spirit in the matter. Upon hearing that it was Mr George Higgins,.the Mayor said he did not wish anyone to be put to expense in such a matter and offered to defray any costs that, had been incurred. Mr Higgins declining- the offer expressed his pleasure in doing the work to secure Mr Kidd's services to the citizens for another year. Mr Kidd has now presented Mr Higgins with a. beautiful silver inkstand bearing the .figure of. a moa and also the fol-j. Vowing inscription, "To George Hig#gins, as a memento of April, 1902, from Alfred Kidd, Mayor of Auckland.".

The il.M.s. Ventura, of the Oceanic Company's A. and A. line, was delayed on the run from Auckland, the last stage of her passage from San Francisco, by rough weather (says the Sydney ''"Daily Telegraph" of April 14). It was eleven o'clock on. Saturday night before the mail boat reached Port Jackson. She anchored down the harbour for the night and berthed early yesterday morning at the company's wharf, Gircular QuajP. A passenger describes the trip from Auckland as exceptionally tempestuous. At the outset a gale from the north-east, with heavy, breaking seas, was met with, and on nearing this coast the Ventura fell in with a southwest g-ale, which moderated as Sydney was approached. The Ventura made the run' from San Francisco to Sydney, inclusive of detentions en route, in twenty-two days three hours fortyseveri minutes. Her steaming time was tweny days sixteen hours fourteen minutes.

A serious conflagration in Hamilton East was narrowly averted Sattirday morning. Mr. H. McKenzie, who works on night shift at Pearson's sand-soap factory, knocked oft" work at 1 a.m., and was somewhat startled to find Mr. Vowles' blacksmith shop, next the Royal Hotel, on fire. By a liberal use of water and pulling- down a portion of the. building Mr. McKenzie succeeded in getting the flames under, otherwise the whole block of buildings; situated but a few yards away, must have been destroyed. It is supposed that the wind ,blew a spark from the forge into a piece of dry material in a corner of the shop where the outbreak occurred.

Jumping off a 'bus while it is going is a dangerous practice. A lad named David Morrow^ aged fourteen years, tried to quit one of Andrew's 'buses in Symonds-street on Saturday evening shortly after eight o'clock. He fell and the hind wheel went over his right arm,' inflicting a large lacerated wound. Fortunately, however, no bones were broken. The boy was taken to the surgery of Dr. Inglis, where chloroform was administered and the wound stitched up, Dr. Purchas assisting. The boy stated that he jumped on the step to get a free ride, and it was when jumping off again that he fell.

A special meeting of the Harbour Board has been convened for to-mor-row afternoon to consider the recommendations of the sub-committee appointed to draw up instructions for the secretary (Mr J. M. Brigham) to follow in his interview in London with the Admiralty in connection with the equipment of Calliope Dock.

Abo.ut eleven o'clock on Saturday night a man named Arthur Waddington, \yho. resides at Old Richmond Road, Arch Hill, was run over in front of the Opera House. He states that he was trying to get on a 'bus which did not stop. Constable Moriarty placed the man in a cab and sent him to' the hospital. His left leg was slightly injured above the ankle and his left hand was b*adly cut and bruised.

At a meeting of the Ellerslie District School Committee, held on Saturday, evening-, the question of recommending a teacher for the position of headmaster of the school was considered. Out of a total of 38 applications received, the Board forwarded to the Committee the names of only ten. These, and also the names and qualifications of others, who had taken the trouble to inform the Committee of their intention to become candidates, were duly considered, and it was unanimously resolved that Mr Francis H. Brown, firsst assistant Newton East school. be recommended to the Board for appointment. The action of the Board in withholding the names of many eligible teachers who had applied was adversely commented on.

In order to complete the drainage of the borough of Grey Lynn ,it was found necessary to raise a further loan of £1500. Application was made in due form, and at the last meeting of the Council Dr. Makgill stated he had reported favourably. Intimation has now been received that the Minister had approved of granting the additional loan.

At the Onehunga Police Court this morning, before Messrs. S. Bradley and H. ,Wilding, J.s P., a young woman named May Taylor was charged with the theft of a gold brooch., value 15/, the property of Mrs McKay. After the hearing of the evidence of Mrs McKay and Constable McCarthy, she was convicted of being in possession of stolen property, knowing the same to be stolen, ana was fined 5/ and costs and ordered to restore the brooch.

The following is the state of His Majesty's prison, Auckland, for the week ending Saturday, April 19: On remand, 1 male; awaiting trial, 8 males; penal servitude (life), 2 males; hard labour, 148 males, 21 femalesimprisonment, 1 male; default of bail, 2 males; received during the week, 14 males, 1 female; discharged, 15 males, 1 female; total in prison, 162 males, SI females.

We are asked to acknowledge the sum of £35 1/, received through Messrs.Smeeton and Co. towards the "Kentwell fund, made up<as follows: — Sympathiser 5/, F. Sinclair 2/6, M.S. 5/, Bennett 2/6, H. Jones 5/; proceeds of benefit concert given by the Carters' Union, £34 1/Ttotal, 1/.

Very cold weather has been experienced in the Lakes district lately, Snow fell at Taupo last week.