CONDITIONAL SURRENDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 11542, 29 November 1900, Page 4

CONDITIONAL SURRENDER.

The offer of Boers to surrender provided they are not exiled seems somewhat superfluous in the face of Lord Roberts' famous declaration that all enemies surrendering would be allowed to go home upon yielding up their arms, exceptions only being made in certain necessary cases. It is possible, of course, that numbers in the Eastern Transvaal, both in the Lydenburg and other districts, have not been informed of the generous offer, and have been in addition grossly deceived by those interested in prolonging the hopeless fight. For while Botha himself is reputed to be an honourable opponent, and to have long declared his opinion that resistance was a mere sacrifice of life and property, he is not in that inner circle whom Steyn and Kruger trust and approve. The Eastern Transvaal not having been completely occupied, it is not likely that the men now offering to lay down their arms include many oathbreakers in their number. However that may be, while increasingly stern measures will be taken to enforce British law and order throughout South Africa, we may be certain that all reasonable facilities will be afforded for the "coming-in" of deluded men who have been led to disaster by their national leaders and left to make such terms as they can for themselves. It will be a long time yet before the "army of occupation" can withdraw and leave a loyal South Africa to take its rightful place in our Imperial ranks. But the gradual submission of all large bodies, the surrender of cannon, the disruption of military organisation, all bring about the time when the work of maintaining order can. safely be left to smart armed police, and need no longer be regarded as requiring anything approaching a formal campaign.