THE BOER GENERALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12069, 12 September 1902, Page 5

THE BOER GENERALS.

—-♦— — THEIR CONFERENCE WITH MR. CHAMBERLAIN. ATTEMPT TO REOPEN' THE PEACE TERMS. EXTRAORDINARY DEMANDS. ■By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. London, September 10. A. Pari IAiiiNTAP.y paper gives details of the conference with the Boer generals. In a letter dated August -0 they formally requested an interview, and submitted a list containing 11 points for consideration, including an amnesty to all British subjects who fought against, the Crown, pensions for widows and orphans of burgher-;, j equal rights for the Dutch and Eng- j lish languages in schools and courts, | the reinstatement of the officials of j the late Republics in the service, or j compensation for the loss of office, i and compensation for all loss occasioned the burghers by the war. •Mr- Chamberlain replied that he was greatly surprised at the manner and character of the proposals, which virtually reopened the peace treaty. He absolutely refused to entertain the requests, but was willing to consider the manner of carrying out the Vereeuiging terms. (Received September 11, 10.55 p.m.) London. September 11. The Boer generals asked for the retrocession of the territory ceded to Natal, protested against the compulsory administration of the oath of allegiance to burghers, and expressed their dissatisfaction at the absence of a Coronation amnesty. Mr. Chamberlain declined to grant them an interview until the disposition to reopen the terms of surrender was abandoned. He stated that the Imperial Government would not hinder any generous intentions that Natal and the Cape may have regarding rebels. He referred to Mr. Hertz' hostile speeches as- justifying his exclusion from South Africa. Botha said it was unfair to visit the sins and follies of one man on others. Let, he said, the offender suffer, He appealed to Mr. Chamberlain to trust the surrenderers. Mr. Chamberlain said: "We trust them entirely, and will do so until they give us reason to doubt them." He assured Botha there would be no compulsory acquisition of land for colonisation without ample op- ' portunities being given for criticism.