THE BOER WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11950, 26 April 1902, Page 5

THE BOER WAR.

THE TERMS OF PEACE.

SPEECHES OF MINISTERS.

FIRM ATTITUDE OF THE j GOVERNMENT. ' j SETTLEMENT MUST BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE EMPIRE. WHAT THE BOERS ASK. THE CANADIAN PARLIAMENT AND THE WAR. . • AN INOPPORTUNE MOTFON. By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. London, April 24. Mb. Wyndham, Chief Secretary for Ireland, speaking at Brighton, dwelt on the apparent prospect of peace, adding the proviso that "If we and our brothers in every dependency of the Crown were to assent thereto it must be such a peace as would effectually accomplish the objects of the war and elicit our unanimous and world-wide support." Mr. Long, President of the Local Government Board, speaking at Melton Mowbray, was equally emphatic regarding the Government's firmness in South Africa, requiring a frank acceptance on the part of the Boers of. the vital conditions of peace and promising the vanquished considerate and liberal treatment. The Pall Mall Gazette, professing to reflect information possessed by the Netherlands Government, says the Boers are willing that rebels should not be amnestied if Britain does not exact penalties from the Boers in the event of the rebels continuing guerilla warfare. The Boers object to admit that they have forfeited their independence, though they are willing to sign a treaty incorporating the Republics in the British Empire, and are also willing to not insist upon the immediate withdrawal of the banishment proclamation if the King at the Coronation in June next agrees to the cancellation of the proclamation. Ottawa, April 24. In the Dominion House of Commons Mr. Charlton, the member for Norfolk, Ontario, moved a resolution recommending magnanimity, mercy, and a universal amnesty in connection with the Avar. He hoped that such a course would assist Britain to withstand the vengeful demands of the Cape loyalists. Mr. Bourassa, the member for Lobelia, Quebec, seconded the motion. v. ■ ,-;'/''.

Sir W. Laurier, the Premier, declared that the resolution was most inopportune and was calculated to awaken in the Boers false hopes and so prolong the war. He said he was satisfied to leave the terms of settlement in the hands of the brave soldiers who were negotiating on both sides. At Sir W. Lauder's instance Mr. Charlton withdrew the resolution. ; (Received April 26. 12.36 a.m.) London, April 25. The Imperial Government has invited the Natal Government's views regarding the recent negotiations for peace. BOER LOSSES THIS YEAR.

TOTAL 5863. London, April 24. The following statistics, showing the Boer losses during the present year have been published in Pretoria : — Killed , ... 457 Wounded ... ... 186 Captured 4,202 Surrendered ..* ... 1,038 Total .... >.. 5,883