PEACE FACTORS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9431, 15 May 1902, Page 4

PEACE FACTORS.

THE JUSTIFICATION FOR A GENERAL SURRENDER.

THE BURGHERS' FEAR,

/ (Daily Mail, April 3.) We print to-day an important despatch from Mr Edgar Wallace dealing with the situation created by the Boer peace overtures. Our war correspondent carefully abstains from exaggerated optimism, but, despite the natural note of caution in his remarks, it is clear that there is, as the Daily Mail has consistently pointed out for some days past, ground for hope that, with careful handling of the Boer susceptibilities, a satisfactory outcome of the negotiations may be arrived at.' We also print the chief points on which the negotiations will probably turn. KROONSTAD (0.R.C.), Monday, March 31. The Boer peace delegates are still here, and the situation is unchanged. In the meantime our columns are working with undiminished energy, and the Boer negotiations have not resulted in the least relaxation in any quarter of the vigor with which the war is being prosecuted.

■ In continuation of my telegram from Johannesburg yesterday, I may state that while it is by no means certain that the peace negotiations are likely to terminate satisfactorily, yet there are certain points which need urging in respect of a possible settlement. ,

Many of the conditions of surrender of earlier days are now overshadowed by larger and more important considerations. It is possible that the question. of the amnesty of all rebels may proVe not so important as such questions, for instance, as the establishment of responsible government after the war, and a general surrender of the Boer troops now in the field may possibly be retarded by fear on the par.t of the burghers, who are naturally most suspicious, that Great Britain does not intend to grant to them equal eights with British-born subjects. The burghers fear that Great intends to make the Boers a sort of subject race. This fear, I think, will be a great factor in influencing the action of the commandoes in the field, and I should say that, should anything come from the present negotiations, a definite assurance from England, specifically stating the Boers' status after the war, will assist in clearing away a great obstacle.

Added to this, it must be remembered that our terms are now, as ever, "unconditional surrender," and should the Boer chiefs favor this view, they have still to justify themselves before the commandoes. The promise of an early restoration of responsible government would be sufficient justification. Those unaware of the Boer character will probably take such a promise, which is merely one we certainly intend to fulfil, to be superflous, but, however unnecessary the assurance may be considered at home, it is undoubtedly important here. POINTS AT ISSUE. We believe the following are among the chief points on,.which any peace negotiations will turn: — 1. Tlie 'approximate time which must elapse before the restoration of responsible government is possible. 2. The status of the Boers Rafter the war. ' 3. The banishment proclamation. 4. The question of amnesty. To these may be now added the following most important one : — Advances by the British Government for rebuilding and restocking Boer farms.