CHAMBERLAIN AND THE BOERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12190, 9 February 1903, Page 5

CHAMBERLAIN AND THE BOERS.

A HEATED DEBATE. HE DECLINES TO RECEIVE AN ADDRESS. CHRISTIAN DE WET'S ATTITUDE. By Telegraph.—Press Association.— (Received February 8, 5.2 p.m.) Capetown, February 7. Christian De Wet, with a party of others of the last fighters, had a two-hoars' interview with Mr. Chamberlain, who declined to receive an address dealing with the language question, repeating the efforts lately made at Pretoria and accusing the Government of contravening the Vereeniging terms, especially with regard to an amnesty for rebels. This Mr. Chamberlain indignantly denied, and the debate grew heated. De Wet was anxious to tear up the Vereeniging arrangement and begin afresh. Mr, Chamberlains reply was direct, forcible and uncompromising. The "Hands Uppers" and National Scouts later on thanked Mr. Chamberlain for all he had done and gave pledges of unswerving loyalty. The delegates of the previous deputation declined the Government's hospitality. Mr. Chamberlain was not satisfied with the representative character of the first burgher deputation, which was supposed to represent three sections. Then came Christian De Wet's delegation, including Hertzog, George Brand and Drain. Mr. Chamberlain declared that if the Vereeniging settlement were revised he would dictate terms. Piet De Wet headed the more influential section of the loyalists. (Received February 8, 5.14 p.m. London, February 7. The Standard declares that Christian De Wet will probably end by becoming the instrument of the Bond in the struggle for mastery between the various sections which has now begun. The Daily Telegraph says Christian De Wet occupies a similar position in the Orange River Colony to that of Botha in the Transvaal. They are willing to co-operate with the Government, but are afraid to lose the Boers' confidence. Capetown, February 6. Mr. Chamberlain informed a deputation of the municipality of Bloemfontein that responsible government could not be granted for some time, though it would be given as soon as it could be safely allowed. In Christian De Wet's recently published book on the war, he gives verbatim reports of the Vereeniging Conference, and of the meeting between the Boer representatives and Lords Kitchener and Milner at Pretoria. These documents have been hitherto unpublished, and they show very vividly the scenes of struggle and hesitation that preceded the final decision, of surrender. Of that event, De Wet, writes:—" To every man, as l to myself, this surrender was no more end no less than the sacrifice of our independence. I have often been present at the deathbed and at the burial of those who have been nearest ray heart— mother, brother, and friend— the grief which I felt on those occasions was not to be compared with what I now underwent at the burial of my nation.''