WITH THE TENTH NEW ZEALANDERS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11332, 23 July 1902, Page 1

WITH THE TENTH NEW ZEALANDERS.

THE BOER LEADERS' CONFERENCE, THE "FINDING." AN INTERESEnNG DOCUMBNT. <tSOX OTJB BMCI__ COJaRESPOHD-NT.) 11th June. I write from Fort Hay, Newcastle, Natal, where the Tenth is at present stationed. The "Natal Mercury" publishes the finding of the Boer Leaders' Conference or Congress at Vereeniging on 31st May. It -has been translated as foUows: — "A. resolution of the Congress of the people at Vereeniging, passed Saturday, the 31st May, 1902—This meeting of the representatives of the people for both the South African Republic and the Orange Free State, which was held at Vereeniging, from the 15th of May to the 31st of May, 1908, regrets to have learned by the conditions made by his Majesty's Government relating to the termination of hostilities stiU existing and the communication that these conditions are to be agreed upon just as they are or not at alt. It deplores the fact that his Majesty's Government absolutely refused to negotiate with •the Governments of the Republics upon the foundation of our (independence or to allow our Government to come in communication with our deputation. Our people continued to consider itself, not only upon the basis of justice, but also on account of the mutual and personal sacrifices whioh it made for its independence, to possess a right to its independence. "This meeting considered the condition of our land and people seriously, and reflected more in particular upon the foUowing facts: — "I. That the war policy which was adopted by the British military authorities caused* a devastation of both the Republics with the burning of the farms and townships, destruction of all means of existence and draining of all the resources which are necessary to support our families, necessary for the existence of our forces and the continuation of the war. "2. That locating our captured famines in the camps of concentration caused a condition or situation of suffering and iUhealth not heard of before; consequently in a short period of time 20,000 of those who were dear to us died there, and this brought forward the hideous prospect that in continuing the war our nation in general is running the risk of extermination. "3. That the Kaffir tribes without and also within the boundary lines of the Republics being aU armed, they take a part in the war against us, committing acts of murder and all kinds of abominations. "4. That on account of proclamations of the enemy which are followed by practice, the fighting burghers in the battlefield are threatened with confiscation of their property, both movable and immovable. — that is/total extermination in possession. "5. That it became impossible for us, being caused by the circumstances of the war, to retain the many thousands of prisoners of war which our forces captured, consequently we are not in a position to effect much damage to the British forces, while the burghers that are captured by the British forces are being sent off and deported, and that in consequence of the duration of the war for now almost three years there are left but few of the forces with which we undertook the war. " 6. That this fighting remainder of the people, which only forms a small minority of the whole of the people, has to do fighting against an overwhelming, overpowering majority of the enemy, and above this actually is in a condition of starvation and privation of absolute requirements of existence, and that in spite of our best efforts and sacrifice of all that is dear to us, we cannot reasonably expect eventually to gaiij victory. " Consequently this meeting is of opinion that there no longer exists any reasonable ground to expect that a continuation of this war will cause the retaining of independence, and considers that under these circumstances the people are no longer justified to continue the war, whereas this can only affect our social and material ruination, and not only our ruination, but also that of our posterity. " Being compelled by the above-men-tioned circumstances and arguments, this meeting dees authorise both Governments to accept the conditions made by his Majesty's Government and to sign the same in the name of the people of the two Republics. " This meeting of delegates gives expression to reelings of confidence that the situation now brought forth, by accepting tihe conditions made by his Majesty's Government might soon be improved upon in such a manner that our people may advance to a full enjoyment of such privileges to which it considers itself entitled not only by reflecting upon the past [history of the people], but also in consequence of it_ sacrifice during this war." "This meeting received' the intimation by a resolution of his Majesty's Government, to the effect that a great measure of amnesty will be granted to British subjects who took up arms on our side, with profound satisfaction. Whereas we are joined to them by blood and honour, and we do hope that his Majesty wiU extend to them an amnesty even further and further." The trend of feeling is that of sympathy, and no harsh sentiment towards, or severe criticism of, the Boer would be tolerated here. When there have been surrenders the British troops have gone on with their -work as if nothing of importance were occurring, and no remarks ox rude gazing have been allowed. A military thanksgiving service for peace was held on Sunday last in Newcastle. Our Tenth Regiment, over 1100 strong, rode down. The senior chaplain of the forces, the Rev. E. F. Newman, M.A., had charge. Two Roman Catholic priests, two Anglicans and one Presbyterian took part. Tift New Zealand chaplains—Revs. Hawthorn and Luxford—marched with the clergy to a position next the .Staff. General Lyttelton was present. He is a sturdvlooking soldier, well advanced in years, not unlike Bismarck in appearance. On the following Atonday General Lvttelton left for Pretoria to assume comm„'id. The death of Lieut. MoKeich, of the Ninth, well-known in Otago, caused great grief in our camp. Major Andrew received the news, and at onoe requested the Rev. J. A. Luxford to communicate it to his son, Mr Wm. M-Keioh, of our Regiment. No particulars of the engagement in which he was killed have reached us. He was kiUed m action on 14th May at Vereeniging. only ten miles from the place of Congress. On Sunday last Trooper Fogarty, of Timaru, die. in the General Hospital from pneumonia. He was a general favourite, strong and weU, till he came to camp. During his eight days in Hospital he was frequently visited by officers and chaplain. On Monday his troop attended bis funeral, conducted by Captain Luxford. His grave is among those of the hundreds of soldiers who, like himself, died in hospital. A thousand Canadians have just arrived, and are camped one mile from us. Their horses are superior to ours. We are using Canadian oats, which are dirty and inferior to the worst sample of New Zealand. Some of the compressed bay is American, and is palatable to the horses. In pressing it has gone through a process of fermentation, and smells like mild tobacco. I must not forget to say the word " Contingent" is foreign here. To «pea_ of a contingent provokes derisive laughter. At headquarters, in documents and addresses, all colonial forces are referred to as Regiments. "Our destination is uncertain. Sometimes a rumour says that Major Andrew (whose Indian experience and knowledge of that vast country is admitted by mildtary authorities to be invaluable-) is to take us to India. Another time we hear that we are to act as constabulary, and at another that we are to leave for home after the Coronation. Major Andrew is looking welt and youthful; he has not aged in the least. Needless to say our regiment is proud to be oommanded by one of its own sons.