The Transvaal WAR.

Evening Star, Issue 11675, 6 February 1902, Page 6

The Transvaal WAR.

. IDEE PEACE CfiATTER. NOT AN INCH NEARER. REFERRED TO LORD - ' KITCHENER. DE WET'S LAST POM-POM. TRUTH ABOUT THE CON- ' CENTRATION CAMPS. Press Acsociaiion—-By Telegraph—Coypright ? LONDON, February 5. Dr Kuvrter's and Lord Lansdowne'sllotes, just published, show'that the Dutch Government, on their own responsibility, and without authority from the three Boer delegates" in Holland or the leaders, pro- ' posed that Britain should grant the delegates a safe conduct to confer with the leaders in the field. The mission might hope to return in a fortnight empowered to conclude peace. Dr Kuyper admitted that'~-the delegates •presented credentials dated March, 1900, which compelled them to insist on independence and not permit the re-establishment of a status quo ante unless the mode of settling disputes was at the same time settled. Lord Lansdowne, while appreciating <he Netherlands' humanity, said that Britain adhered to its intention not to accept any foreign intervention. It was open to the delegates to request safe conduct, though Britain reserved a definite opinion until thz precise of the request was disclosed. It was* not at present clear that the delegates retained any influence over the Boers in South Africa, or any voice ih their councils. Britain understood all powers of government and negotiation were completely vested in Steyn and Schalkburgher. The quickest and most satisfactory means of settlement would be direct communication with Lord Kitchener by the leaders in the field. Britain had decided that if the leaders, desired to negotiate they must <b soin South Africa. For European delegates South Africa would cause the Boers months of needless suffering.

COMMENTS LONDON, February 5. "The Times' says that Lord Lansdowne's reply Tt*as dignified', •weighty, worthy of the responsible rniers of the Empire,, and affording the heartiest satisfaction to Englishmen both at Home and in the colonies, and to all impartial foreigners. Other Unionist newspapers endorse these remarks. The 'Daily News' (pro-Boer), in its comments, is irreproachable in style and temper, and arouses hopes of a more favorable sequel The Boer delegates, in an interview at The Hague, Ray that the reply was Very friendly, showing that the Government were not animated by unjust motives, and had left a way open for arriving at an understanding, provided that Britain refrained from imposing conditions that could not be surmounted. v • The Germans attach importance to the British recognition of Mr Steyn and ActingPresident Schalkburgher as legal representatives of the Boers.

THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

MRS DE WET IN OUK CHAEGE.

LONDON, February 5.

Lord Stanley stated in the House of Commons that Mrs Christian De Wet was an inmate of the concentration camp. A Reuters message asserts that the English Grand Lodge, at the King's instance, rebutted the Swiss Freemasons' allegations of cruelty at the concentration camps, aud declared that, to England's honor, she had undertaken the care of her enemies' families. General Maxwell, in his September report, says:—With regard to the local committees of Dutch ladies visiting these camps, it has been found by sad experience thai they do far more harm than good; much of the unrest and opposition to rules and regulations are traceable to their influence; they spread malicious rumors, undermine the authority of (he officials, and distribute quack remedies in cpp )sition to the directions of the medical officers. This was particularly the case at Irene and Johannesburg carrps; consequently I have forbidden their visits. T hnvs also l«id difficulties with the spiritual std'-'ser?. The majority of these gentlemen d""ocii!tn themselves from politics, and do much in encourage the feeling of oppression and depression that not unnaturally exists. It is, moreover, undoubtedly true that these ladies and gentlemen encouraee the-attitude of contempt openly displayed towards those who have voluntarily surrendered by those whose relatives are still on commando. This feeling has, however, been to a great extent counteracted by sending to Natal the families of those still on commando, and those who t-n----tertain towards us bitter feelings. Mr Emden, the superintendent at Irene, found these visitors actually telling the women in the camps that the European powers wr>uld interfpiro to prevent their being removed down to Natal.

, "WILD, INDECENT CHARGES." LONDON, February 5. (Received February 6, at 9.12 a.m.) "■" Premier, late pastor of the Irene camp, protests afrainst the wild and indecent charges which are destroying the character of the modest Afrikander girls, in order to serve lyiDg tongues and unscrupulous pens. An intercepted letter shows that Botha personally directed a number of Boer women into tho British lines.

[Mr John Morley was among the first in England to give circulation to reports adverse to the honor of our army and impugning the chastity of the Boer women, and it was the Bishop of Zutalond who took up the matter, investigating the whole business on the spot. His report showed the stories t» have been pure fabrications.'] The following letter was sent to Colonel Goold-Adams, deputy-administrator of the Orange River Colony, by the Rev. J. C. Hefer, a Dutch minister, who has hitherto refused to take the oath of allegiance, and therefore cannot be considered a political sympathiser:— • Worcester, October 3, 1901. Honorable sir,—Through sickness in my family, and the loss by death of two of my children whilst in the camp at Vredefort road, I have been unable to tender your honor my thanks for the kind consideration shown me and mine. I therefore now wish io convey to your Honor the sincere gratitude of myself and family for the free ministration granted me while in camp, and the free first class pass to Worcester. It will always be my happy privilege here, as well as. elsewhere, to testify to the good treatment of refugees m the Vredefort road camp, and pf the goodwill shown us all by your Honor. I b§g further to add that it is by no means my, desire to be parted from my flock at VredeJ fort road, but that after a few months of rest, of which I am now erreatly in need, I should be grateful to be allowed returning to my people in camp. Commending your Honor to the God of Peace and Love whom we by happy experience know your Honor is serving—I -have, etc., J. C. Hkfkk, D.R. Minister, Parys, Orange River Colony.

120 ITALIAN UNDESIRABLES. VALUED AT £IOO EACH. LONDON, February' 5. (Received February 6, at 9.5 a.m.) The British have granted £12,000 op account of the. Italian undesirables deported

~ , u 11 .1 ' • \ -J- ifc- I from Sootii Afriai during the euiier rages, of tibe.wari The amount covers, one hundred sad twenty dums.

\ DO2TT WANT THE TRUTH. OHARACTERISTIO 2RO-BOERISM. LONDON, February 5. The 'lndependence Beige' (Brussels) it publishing Dr Conan Doyle's pamphlet on the came and conduct of the war; and is refuting calumnies against the British Army, bnt it baa been found impossible to get publishers in Germsay and Holland.

DEFEAT OF WESSELLS. CAPTURE OF MEN AND GUNS. # LONDON, February 5. It is officially announced that Cokwe! Byng," after a night match, defeated a large force under WesseHs, near Lfebenberg-Vlei, capturing Firman's fifteen-pounder and pom-poms, and De Wet's last pom-pom. Five Boers were killed, six wounded, aid twenty-seven captured. M3UTIA TO SERVE ABROAD. LONDON, February 5. v King Edward has accepted the offer of gjz battalions of militia to serve abroad. DR KUYPER'S NOTE. STRICT NEUTRALITY. LONDON, February 5. (Received February 6, at 9.5 a.m.) France and Russia confidentially approved Dr Kuyper's note, but,all the Powers resolved to observe a strict neutrality. , RETURNED TROOPERS. , WELLINGTON, February 6. The following New Zealand troopers returned by tbe Tahine this morning:—Corporals Pokiton (Napier), A. White (Auckland), Farrier-sergeant Ryan (Auckland), Troopers Ewart (Owaka), Tait (Auckland), J. G. White (Auckland), Dehmey (Wellington), Buckingham ((Wellington), Geddes (Waimate), Barnes (Hawarden), Fordham (Wellington), W. Hailey (Opotiki), M'Kenzie (Bunedin), Mitchell (Pleasant Point), Moore (Auckland), Roderick (Wanganui), J. Richards (Auckland), Styles (Wellington), Young (Masterton). All' are members of the Sixth and Seventh Contingents. Trooper Ferris (Christchurch), of ih» South African Light Horse, also returned by the Talune.

A movement is on foot amongst th* Kensington School ex-pupils and others to perpetuate in some, way the memory of Sergeant W. Moore, who died in South Africa. The late Sergeant Moore spent his schooldays at Kensington, and was a favorite amongst his classmates."