THE TRANSVAAL WAR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4636, 15 April 1902, Page 5

THE TRANSVAAL WAR.

CABLE NEWS.

POTTED PRESS ASSOCIATION. BY ELECTEIO TELEGRAPH. COPYRIGHT.

FOR PEACE. BRITISH MINISTERS IN CABINET. NO FORMAL OVERTURES MADE. (Received April 15, 0.20 a.m.) LONDON, April 14. The Duke of Devonshire (President of the Council), Mr Brodriok (Secretary for War) and Sir Michael Hicks-Beach (Chancellor of the Exchequer) met at midnight on Saturday at Mr Chamberlain’s house, and conferred for an nour, it is supposed respecting a cablegram from Lord Kitchener. Mr Chamberlain spent Sunday morning in his office. He had a two-hours’ audience of the King in the afternoon. “ The Times ” says the Boer delegates will probably attempt to renew negotiations from the starting point of Lord Kitchener’s offer to General but the prolongation of the struggle has immensely altered the situation. It is impossible to ignore this or to exasperate the loyalists by undue leniency towards the rebels., The “ Standard ” says the first proposals were merely intended as a moans of opening preliminaries. Doubtless the Boers would ask too much, bub if the for independence was frankly abandoned, the rest would bo worth discussion. (Received April 15, 0.49 LONDON, April 14. Exaggerated and sensational reports current relative to the peace negotiations are entirely premature. It is considered in the most responsible circles highly improbable that the Boer delegates will at first submit to acceptable terms. It is believed the delegates journeyed to Pretoria to personally obtain information from Lord Kitchener on certain points. The brevity of the conference at Klerksdorp is considered to imply that the delegates are agreed on a general basis of negotiations. Though no formal overtures have been made, it is believed Lords Kitchener and Milner have a fair idea, of the character of the terms expected by the Boers, and have cabled them to the British Government. The Transvaal delegates are ■ lodged in General lan Hamilton’s house, and the-Free State delegates in a residence adjoining Lord Kitchener’s. Lord Milner. ,'High Commissioner of South Africa, is also at Pretoria. “The Times,” referring to the King s return from Cowes, says Majesty s yachting cruise bad reached its ilatural ending, and that business connected with the Coronation accounted for the King’s return. The newspaper adds that the meeting of Cabinet was not connected with the discussion of peace proposals, since no overtures had been made by the Boers. Lord Salisbury and Mr Balfour have proceeded to Hatfield Hall, Lord Salisbury’s seat.