BOER DEMANDS

New Zealand Mail, 17 September 1902, Page 23

BOER DEMANDS

MR CHAMBERLAIN’S INTERVIEW WITH THE GENERALS.

LONDON, September 11. Mr Chamberlain, in his conference* with the Boer Generals, agreed to retransfer three farms which the Government had acquired. General Botha complained of the constitution of the Commissions entrusted with the distribution of the three million grant, and asked for further assistance.

air Cb amber lain said he could not recognise the justice of the complaints but he was willing to investigate specific charges. He reminded the Generals that Britain’s magnanimity and generosity towards a conquered people had never been equalled. He advised them not to press for more, and declined to recognise burgher rights granted by the late Republics during the war. He appealed to them to forget anci forgive, and to co-operate in working for the prosperity and liberty of South Africa. How soon complete autonomy was would depend entirely upon _ e rapidity with which animosities died out.

n 10 newspapers characterise the Generals proposals as audacious and astonishing, and suggest that they were inspired by the Transvaal Legation. They app.aud Mr Chamberlain’s courteS. tactfulness and firmness. The “Daily News” says that the V ereemgmg terms were a mere rouo r h iaft, and that a free constitution is required.

„ CAPETOWN, September 11. Cape residents are amazed at the Generals traVaSaUt demands of the Boer

FEELING IN AMERICA AND GERMANY.

STATEMENT BY THE GENERALS.

LONDON, September 12. -uie general opinion in America is one of amazement at the Generals’ dis- ,, J= ard of the terms of the peace setenient, and Mr Chamberlain’s admira7ru ca ” n re ply is applauded. Afie German newspapers reluctantly admit that Mr Chamberlain was compelled to refuse many of the proposals, though they consider greater generosity. %v< rri k® a better policy, at Amsterdam? Were uietl y welcomed General De ja Rey stated that they required help to reconstruct the farms, and not homage or fetes. ** General De Wet said the Boers intended to remain faithful «md submissive subjects now, and in the future they intended to defend their rights by word and pen. If England were’gener®u.®’ th® Boon would prove the most faithful subjects of the whole Empire. They, wanted money for tlieir schools, which were tin safeguard of their nationality. - General Botha feared the British Government would not compensate the Boers for burned farms, though thousands would otherwise be ruined.