THE BOER WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2516, 4 June 1902, Page 27

THE BOER WAR.

THE END AT LAST. PEACE AGREEMENT SIGNED. Boers Accept British Terms. A UNANIMOUS DECISION. BEJOIOIKG AKD SATISFACTION EVER-YWHEKE. Interest on Bonds to be Paid. ;' SOME PBESS OPINIONS. LONDON, May 26. The Government's reticence in reference to the progress of the peace negotiations is interpreted to aim at the discouragement of premature jubilation, lest the fact reach the enemy. . The British unearthed a Krupp gun at ' Eeilbron. Captain Markham, of the Sixth New Zealanders, has been invalided to Eng- , land. | May 27. | A contributed article in the Daily News argues that Australia ought j to offer £29,000,000 and Canada ; £34,000,000 towards the war, costing i^dS.,ooo,ooo. . Mr Bennet Burleigh says that De Wet, realising that a great nation would not stoop to pettifogging prosecutions for offences committed against the Crown during a period of turbulence and warfare, exerted himself to the iitmost to put the peace conditions honourably before Ms countrymen. He has severed himself from the malign influence of Steyn and Hertzog. Generals De Wet and De la Rey are ufcill in Pretoria. Schalk Burgher and the other delegates have returned to iVereeniging. ' The Cabinet meets to-day to consider some financial claims advanced by the Boers. The Boers in Brussels allege that the British Cabinet lias again refused to permit the peace delegates to consult with the European colleagues. The Times states that a high autho- ■ rity in the South African Constabulary estimates the* cost of rebuilding the burnt farms at £15,000,000 sterling. It is understood that the King, in a Message to Parliament, will announce peace when it is settled. The Budget debate has been post- | poned, the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour . efcating that it would be inconvenient to i discuss it while things were in the ' balance. j The statement is interpreted to mean j c possible reduction of the new taxation if peace is proclaimed. Reuters Pretoria correspondent says j that the optimism in regard to peace is ! ihardly justified by solid facts. The pro- I traction of negotiations is not necessarily • a hopeful sign. Though the delegates had abandoned the claim for independence, still, there were many points of difference which might at any moment ! become accentuated, thus causing a ' rupture. 1 May 2&. | Steinaeker's Horse captured four riders , conveying despatches from Europe to .ths? Boer generals. Two were shot. The despatches were secured. Commandant Lannerin, when captured recently, told an officer that Sir H. C. Bannerman's speeches had much en- - couraged the Boerf-. He wondered we allowed them. j The Daily Express states that Lord Kitchener will shortly be appointed Adjutant-general to the War Office. The Boer prisoners at St. Helena , insist that peace has been proclaimed, { and are packing in readiness to return j to' South Africa. j Mr Bennet Burleigh cables that it is i reported that a field-cornet and 200 men surrendered at Frankfort. j In parliamentary circles it is believed | the vital terms of peace are settled, and , that the Government are unwilling to j announce this until the definite conclusion of the negotiations. The Times says it is permissible to he more sanguine than a few days ago, though, while a fairly strong minority continues desirous of war, it is unlikely those who favour peace will throw up \ the sponge. j The Standard says that even if a t temporary hitch Has occurred in the peace negotiations, there L> no ground for anticipating an unfavourable issue. Though the delegates acquiesced ia annexation, much remains to be adjusted in relation to retaining anus for selfdefence, the language question, and the rebuilding of farms. She Daily Mail § t ij& several .well- .

known leaders at the Vereeniging Cont ference are irreconcilable and extremely noisy. It will be necessary for leading delegates to exercise pressure to ensure complete surrender. The Norfolk, with New Zealand troops, has arrived at Durban. Eighty-one of Jack Hindon's commando surrendered at Balmoral. W T hile pi'oceeding to the British lines, Slegkamp's commando stopped Hindon's men, seizing and breaking their rifles. Hindon's men, without ammunition, were helpless. There has been a severe outbreak of enteric at St. Helena, chiefly amongst the soldiers stationed on the island. May 29. Major Collett, with the Jaasonville Horse, attacked the Boers at Somerset last Tuesday. After a prolonged fight the Boers withdrew, leaving Commandant Malan a prisoner, fatally wounded in the stomach. The Boers attacked Rocdepoort, but were repulsed. Another Cabinet meeting will be held on Friday. The Daily Mail states that the Government have received more hopeful cables from Pretoria. The Duke of Cambridge, addressing the National Rifle Association, said: — "We see little daylight in connection with the peace negotiations. Though we are not confident, we must be prepared for anything. Mr Chamberlain is suffering from chilly and gout, and wa<; absent on the reassembling of the House of Commons. The Cabinet was hastily summoned today to consider the Boer reply to Tuesday's communication. The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour hopes to be in a position to announce the result of the peace negotiations on Monday next. Public expectation still points to peace. May 30. The Peace Conference at Pretoria concluded on Wednesday. The delegates then started for Vereeniging for the final ballot. Lord Milner returned to Jonannesburg. Mr Bennet Burleigh states that it is not ' anticipated the Vereeniging Conference's final decision will be taken before Monday, which explains Mr Balfour's statement. Still there is a shadow of a doubt if he will be able to make the announcement on Monday. On receipt of Britain's definite reply the Boer delegates went to Vereeniging, apparently ready to recommend acceptance of the terms. It is understood banishment will not be enforced, excepting in the case of irreconcilable.? refusing to take the oath of allegiance. The Boers retain their horses and arms for self-defence. They will be allowed influential representation upon -uord Milner's advisory Council prior to granting representative government. The Daily Mail states that the Government have been informed that the irreconcilables have accepted the preliminaries of peace, and only a few minor details remain un-ettled. J. A. Cameron, of the New Zealand -u.ounteds, died from enteric at Vryburg. Mr Smart, Cape Minister for Works, has resigned in connection with the suspension of the Cape Constitution. The War Office has requested the Viemier of New South Wales to arrange . for the analysis and inspection of 500,0001b of preserved meat, to be > shipped by Sydney Meat Preserving ; Company tins month, and 300 ; 0001b to be shipped in June. i May 31. j Brussels advices .state that the Boer delegates intend .signing the peace agreement in the names of members of the former Orange Free State and Transvaal Governments, including Mr Kruger, in order to prevent the irreconcilables alleging that they are continuing the guerilla war in obedience to the delegates in Eurouc. The Morning Post states that a Wall street operator received a code menage from Pretoria alleging that the terms I of the amnesty alone were unsettled. ' Tiie Boers appealed to the magnanimity of Great Britain, saying they were un- | able to desert those who had helped them throughout. There are indications that Great Britain has agreed to take cogni-ancc only of the traitorous conduct oi the leaders of the Cape Colony re- ' bellion. | Progressive members of the Cape Parliament fear that the Ua.pe Dutch will refuse a bill of indemnity for the Government's acts during the war. They also fear anti-Imperial legislation. The financial ourlook is considered critical owing to the enormous expenditure since the Government undertook to conduct the war operations within the colony. | If the Constitution be suspended it is I expected Great Britain will help to pay. i The Times says the dissensions existing , in Cape Colony and the control by Afrikander* of Parliament will piove a fatal bar to permanent peace. j Mr Smartt, who has resigned from the ! Ministry, advocates the suspension of 1 the Cape Constitution. Sir Gordon Sprigs opposes this. Mr Douglas*, member for Grahamstown, succeeds Mr Smartt as Minister for Work-. Sir P. H. Faurre surrender^ the portfolio of Agriculture for that ,of Colonial Secretary, Mr J. Fl'O&t.

Minister without portfolio, succeeding Mr Faurre as Minister of Agriculture. June 1. A Reuter's message states that Steyn is suffering from paralysis. This caused his abstention from the Vereeniging Conference. He is now at Krugersdorp on parole. There were great jubilations in London at the declaration of peace. Immense crowds gathered, singing patriotic songs, carrying flags, and wearing rosettes. Processions took place in the streets till a late hour. There was great joy on the streets of London, and a general holiday was observed to-day. The Governor of Natal, speaking at Greytown, said that the Boer delegates wanted sixfold more than the Government would grant. The Cape Times, in advocating the suspension of the Constitution, states that neither the Bond leaders nor the Dutch Ministers lifted a finger for pea,ce. At Washington it is believed that the Boers had been -given until Sunday to decide whether they accepted the British offer. General De Lisle ha". been invalided to England. The British troops and horses are in magnificent form after their rest. June 2. Alter signifying their acceptance of the British terms all the Boer delegates arrived at Pretoria on Saturday and _ Mgned, at 10.30 at night, a document "Containing the tenn-s of surrender. Lord Kitchener despatched a message to England, and added that Lord Milner and himself had also signed. The Boer conference at Vereeniging on Saturday came to a unanimous decision, and the principal leaders accompanied the delegates to Pretoria. The 26th and 27th have bepn proclaimed public holidays at Pretoria. Congregations at Durban tang the National Anthem. The Lord Mayor, in announcing peace, amidst deafening cheers, at the Mansion Housp, remarked that while the nation was thankful and prepared for the news, they were determined if necessary to make greater sacrifices to support the soldiers sustaining the honour and integrity of the Empire. He emphasised the colonies' support of the Motherland, and prayed for a long and happy peace. He asked for three cheers for the King. Mighty cheers rang out, and then others were given for the Queen, the soldiers,and those who had fallen for their country. The city in the West End was illuminated. The hymn '' Now thank we all our ; God was sune at thp close of the service afc »t. Paul's Chape!. Royal thanksgiving -i-r.ices were held j in most of the churches-. j A proclamation issued in Pretoria on Saturday provided that notwithstanding Mr Kruger's proclamation suspending interest on the Transvaal bonds during the war, interest would accrue from yesterday. Mr John Redmond, addressing a ' league meeting at Kensington on Saturday, said the pacification of South Africa would not be witnessed in this or the coming generation. The Dutch would regain their independence and power. England was willing to pay the ! sacrifice to conciliate the colonies, but ■ the goodwill of Ireland exceeded that of the 32 colonies. ' General joy is expressed in Canada ' and the English provinces. Satisfaction is expressed in America and on the Conj tinent. The Standard says that as the long drama unfolded itself the feelings of the spectators underwent change. The closing act would add to Britain's prestige and weight in the councils of the world. England's gratitude would be associated with ungrudging admiration for the most valiant adversaries the Motherland and colonie.s had ever encountered. There was no cause for humiliation. They were defeated, but not disgraced. j The Chronicle says that peace with I honour may, if statesmen make wise *i»e of their opportunities, be aKo peace , with goodwill. . The Daily Express «ay. a knot of irreconcilable 1 * were told that they would h.ive to fight alone. It was only then that they yielded. Thf Daily Mail say- th.it Britain early in the week rejected a proposal to subI mit the terms for ratification to Mr Kruger nnd the delegates in Holland. The Daily Express states that Mr Kruger, on learning that a peace agreement was pigned, exclaimed, '"My God! It is impossible." The Taggebl.itt Berlin .say* England wiil build a golden bridge for a brave, vanquished enemy. | Mr MCalluin, in a speech, eulogized Louis Botha as a prospective Natal colonist. He strongly appealed to both races for fraternal co-operation in upbuilding the country. Mr Bennet Burleigh says the people of j Pretoria paraded till after midnight ringing " God save the King," cheering, and in other ways expressing delight. " MELBOURNE, May 29. The Federal Government have received wo ccounts from South Africa amounting to about £500 to cover damage done by Australian .soldiers. It is alleged that a number of tno->e who w crt ceLeLratinn their last uiaht in the

country painted Capetown red, and in the process damaged a large amount of property. June 2. The first news was received by Lord Hopetoun in a cable from Lord Kitchener, followed by one from Mr Chamberlain. When the news was communicated to the Federal Government, a holiday in the Federal departments was at once proclaimed. Mr Deakin said it was gratifying to Australia and others under "the flag that the British arms had triumphed. He hoped that the bulk of the British army, including the Australian contingeuts, would -be relieved from a difficult task. Sir W. J. Lyne, as Acting-Minister of Defence, hoped the terms of peace were magnanimous to a conquered foe, who had proved tliem-selves brave men. SYDNEY, May 29. The newspapers have republished Professor AVoods's letter in reference to the war -from the Manchester Guardian. June 1. In reply to inquiries, the Premier .has received a wire from the officer commanding the. Aurania's troops denying that the men did the' looting recently' reported - from Capetown or committed any excesses at Albany. He adds that a few stowaways committed a few robberies but the conduct of the Aurania's troops was exemplary. June 2. The Governor-General received the following cable from Lord Kitchener : — "Peace signed last night." From Mr Chamberlain :— ''Representative Boer forces still in the field accepted the terms of surrender offered by his Majesty's Government." The news was received very quietly in Sydney. There were no demonstrations. Whatever the private feelings of the populace in Sydney may. have been, there was no public manifestation of enthusiasm over the declaration of peace. The chairman of the Stock Ex-" change was cautious and anxious to know the terms on which peace was concluded before giving way to jubilation. The Government took no steps to give voice to elation. It may possibly make some manifestation tomorrow. Inquiries made by General Hutton and Sir W. J . Lyne show that the Australians aboard the Aurania did not misbehave at Albany. Some 25 stow-" aways are alleged to have misbehaved there. BRISBANE, June 2. There was great jubilation over the declaration of peace. Bells rung out and flairs bedecked the public buildings. ALBANY, May 27. Owing to the alleged numerous robberies including three boats and jewellery valued at £20 from an hotel, the Aurania's troops were not allowed a&hore since Friday. Prior to the departure of the steamer yesterday it is understood the officer commanding was furnished with claims for compensation totalling between £400 and £000 to be considered, and, if proved, to make the men as a body pay them.