Britain and the Transvaal.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 11985, 5 June 1902, Page 2

Britain and the Transv aal.

• HISTORY OF THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. A BLUE BOOK PUBLISHED. COMMENTS OF FOREIGN PRESS.' Per Press Association. London, June 3.— The Government has issued a Blue Book containing despatches relative t6 the peace negotiations. This shows that at the outset of the negotiations the Boers proposed a treaty of peace drawn up as between Sovereign States-. This proposal was firmly rejected by Great Britain. Mr Steyn then declared that he was unable to surrender the independence of the Boers without taking a referendum on the subject. He invited Great Britain to make pioposals. Mr Brodrick renewed the offer of the terms proposed at Middleburg in March, 1901 . Much haggling followed and even as late as May 19th the Boers proposed that while they should surrender their independence as zegards foreign relations, they should retain the power of self-government under the supervision of Great Britain and should surrender a portion of their territory. Lord Milner, firmly checkmating this proposal,, prepared a draft of peace terms, which the Government subsequently modified and made clearer. This modified draft the Boers finally adopted after gentle pressure, Lord Kitchener refraining from issuing a full ultimatum. The correspondence shows that Transvaal notes will not be redeemed, but be merely accepted as evidence towards compensation. The banishment proclamation was tacitly dropped es regards persons, but is still applicable as to the sale of farms for the support of the refugee camps. The German newspapers alone of newspapers on the Continent are. acrimonious and ungenerous in discussing the terms of peace. They are disappointed that Great Britain is not distressed, and emerges from the conflict stronger than she entered it. Commandant Malan, who waa wounded at Somerset, is likely to recover. ' It is estimated that 14,000 rebels will be disfranchised. The Daily News congratulates the Government on securing peace with reason. The Stock Exchange opened strong all round. Consuls were at 98, but receded to 97£ on profit-taking. The Russian and German newspapers allege that the Boers have achieved a moral victory. The American and Austrian Press have generous sympathetic references. They consider the terms most conciliatory. French papers minimise the British successes, but otherwise are not hostile. CONGRATULATIONS OF FOREIGN POWERS. WHERE DOES GERMANY COME IN? (Jaitad Press Ass©ciation.-*By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright. Received June 4, 10.40 p.m. London, June 4. — The proclamation of peace in South Africa has been notified to the Powers. Austria and Japan have warmly congratulated the Government. King Edward attends a thanksgiving service at St. Paul's on Sunday morning. General Botha expresses satisfaction at the peace terms. Lord Curzon and the Commander of the" army in India, and many elsewhere have congratulated Lord Kitchener. The Kolnische Zeitung (Berlin) ad-, mits that the terms are magnanimous and says that if Britain follows her> peace policy with the same energy as she did the war, racial hatred will soon be forgotten and new life spring up from the ruins. The Germain declares^ that Mr Chamberlain's robber policy is triunphant, and the Vossiche says the past war has been wholly inglorious for Britain. The Boers' surrender was due to their wives and children dying wholesale. The Kleinish West Phalisch says the loss of the Boer independence is a severe blow to Germany and one is bound to ask "Where do we come in ? " England will build railways, and it must be apparent to everybody that another piece of the world is snapped from the German markets. THE KING'S MESSAGES TO LORDS MILNER AND KITCHENER. THE NUMBER OF BOER PRISONERS. Received June 5, 12.44 a.m. London, June 4.— The King has sent the following message to Lord Milner: "We are overjoyed at the news of the surrender of 'the Boer forces, and warmly congratulate you for the able manner in which you have conducted the negotiations." Lord Milner, in reply, says : "I offer most respectful thanks for your gracious message, and I am profoundly thankful that your coronation will be celebrated with peace throughout the South African dominions." The King cabled to Lord Kitchener: "Heartiest congratulations on the termination of hostilities. We also heartily congratulate our brave troops under your command on haying brought this long and difficult campaign to so glorious and successful a conclusion." Lord Kitchener replied : "The Army in South Africa will highly appreciate the gracious message which I am communicating to them, and for which I humbly beg to thank you." At the instance of a member of the Third Contingent the citizens of Sherbrooke, Canada, cabled to Generals De la Rey and Botha, welcoming the new brotherhood into the Empire, and praying for a lasting unity. The message added that the Canadians admired the personal bravery and' humanity of the Boers in the. field. There are indications that each colonial unit in South Africa will be represented, at the coronation. Mr Brodrick states that the total of 22,555 prisoners at tne beginning of May included 1025 over sixty years of age and 785 under sixteen. King Edward forwards a message to Parliament to-day. THE BOERS OVERJOYED. RACIAL ANIMOSITY LIKELY TO BE SHORTLIVED. POPULARITY OF LOBD KITCHEJNJfiR. THE SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT. Received June 5, 9.34 a.m. London, June 4.— The burghers at Pretoria greeted the announcement of peace with the greatest joy, cheering Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner. At Irene camp the Boers were overjoyed. Many prayed and sang psalms and numbers of the women burst into tears. Rejoicing 'is general throughout South Africa. General Botha, in an open letter to the Boers, thanked them for their p-st obedience and exhorted them to loyally obey the new Government. There are many indications that the racial animosity will be shortlived. The majority of the UoUO i>oer prisaners in India are satisfied, but a lew are sulky at the result. Surrendering commandos are being lodged and rationed' at Pretoria on >he racecourse. The Standard's Pretoria correspondent says that competent judges were xware two months ago that the miliary position of the Boers was helpers and that only firmness was needid to enforce submission.

General Botha, hx letters to a friend in Holland, stated that tke resumpt- J ion of hostilities was impossible. 1 There is much speculation over the ! presence at The Hagiie of Mr Con- . ynham Greene and Lord Reay. The terms of peace were drafted by Sir Richard Solomon, legal adviser to the Transvaal Administration. Lords Kitchener and Milner at Pre- 1 ' oria awaited the signatures of the I delegates. Amidst profound silence j ' each in order of precedence signed the : surrender of the independence for' ; which they had -so gallantly struggled. ; The document was then entrusted to : Lieutenant. Colonel lan Hamilton, military secretaiy, and Captain R. J. Marker, aide-de-camp to Lord Kitchener, for presentation to the King. Lord Kitchener, addressing the delegates who had negotiated for peace at Vereeniging, congratulated them on the attainment of peace and expressed the hope that reconciliation would be complete. He declared that he would be proud to have done as well in the field as they had done. His remarks touched the Boers, who cheered tremendously. Commandant Beyers declared that the Boers fully appreciated Lord Kitchener's worth. LORD KITCHENER'S REWARD. PROPOSED GRANT OF £50,000. Received June 5, 2.25 p.m. London, June 4.— ln the .House of Commons Mr Balfour submitted the King's message announcing peace and recommending a grant of £50,000 to Lord Kitchener. , . , The Nationalists oppose the grant. Received June 4, 10.12 &.m-. Sydney, June s.— The State Parliament passed a resolution congratulating* the King on the restoration of peace. Melbourne, June s.— The GovernorGeneral and . members of the Federal and State Parliaments attended a tnanksgiving service at the Cathedral. Per Press Association. Wellington, May 4.~The Go^rnor has received the following cable from Lord Kitchener :— "Pretoria, June 3. — Hearty thanks, from myself and Army to New Zealand for kind congratulations." Wellington, June 6. — The ActingPremier sent the following cablegram to the King, through the Governor on the 2nd instant :— "The Government and people of New Zealand respectfully desire to tender to your Majesty their humble and hearty congratulations on the occasion of the ending of the war in South Africa. The Governor has received this| reply, dated 3rd: — "Hi 9 Majesty • the ICing and his Majesty's Government have received with much gratification your telegram of 2nd June, conveying the congratulations of New Zealand on the termination of the war. — Chanberlain." The Acting-Premier has received the following message through the Governor from Cape Town, June , 2nd :— " Casualties : Dangerously ill at Potchefstroom, Patrick Lee ; William Grant, slight injuries at Cape Town. The Australasian left Cape Town on May 31st, having on board Colonel Messenger and the Tenth Contingent for Wellington. Duncan Robertson Matheson, 2425, Johannesberg Mounted Rifles, died of coma at Graylingstad on May 25th, next of kin, Alex. Matheson, Dnnedin." Wellington, Juno s.— The ActingPremier has been advised that the Delphic left Cape Town on June lstwith seven men of the- various colonial troops for Wellington and two for Auckland. j Lord Milner has cabled as follows to the Acting-Premier, through the Governor, relative to peace :—": — " I rejoice with you at the great result to which New Zealand has so largely contributed." NOTABLE EVENTS OF THE WAR. 1899. ' - - . Oct. 11— War declared. Oct. 15— Siege of Mafeking. commenced. Oct. 20— Battle of Glencoe; General Perm Symons mortally wounded. Oct. 21— Battle of JfcUandslaagte ; British retire on Ladysmdth. Oct. 29— British Bechuanaland declared by Boer Government to be part of the Transvaal. Nov. 2— Communication with Ladysmith cut off. Nov. 18— Aiiwal North, . Jamestown, and Colesberg occupied by the enemy. Nov. 28^-Passage of Modder Bivcr forced by Lord Methuen ; 8000 Boefs. Nov. 26— Sir Redvers Bulier takes command in Natal. Dec. 11— General Gatacre defeated at Stroinberg. Compelled . to retire with 89 killed and .wounded, and 633 captured. Dec. 12— Lord Methuen defeated by Cronje at Magersfontein, killed, wounded, and missing amounting to 903. Dec. 13— Lord Methuen withdraws to Modder River. Dec. 13— General Bulier defeated at Colenso with- loss of two guns and 1130 men killed, wounded and missing. Dec. 14 — Lord Roberts put in .-com- . mand with Lord jxixchener as Chief-of-Staff. 1900* Jan. I— General French surprises the enemy at Colesberg, and captures a kopje. Jan. 10— -Lord Roberts arrives at Cape Town. Jan 23-24— opxonkop captured and abandoned. .Feb. 16— J£imberley relieved. Feb. 27— Cronje surrendered at Paardeberg with 4U60 men. Feb. 28— Ladysmith relieved. March s—Boer5 — Boer overture for peace. March 7— Boers defeated at Poplar Grove. March 13— Bloemfontein occupied. March 27— Death of General Joubert. April 2— General Broadwood's disaster at Sanna's Post. May 3— Advance to Pretoria commenced. May 15— General Bulier recaptures Dundee and Glencoe. May 18— Mafeking relieved. May 26— Lord ltoberts enters the Transvaal. June s— Lord Roberts enters Pretoria. July 30— General -Prinsloo surrenders at Caledon with 4i40 men. Sept. I— Annexation of Transvaal proclaimed. Sept. 11— Flight of Mr Kruger. Oct. 6— General Bulier leaves for Home. Nov. 30— Lord Kitchener assumes chief command. Dec. 17— Martial law in Cape Colony. 1901. Feb. 28 to March B— Middleburg conference. < April B— Pietersburg occupied by Colonel Plumer. * June B—De8 — De Wet's convoy captured by General Elliott. 1902. Jan. 27— General Ben Viljoen captured. Feb. 10— De Wet breaks through block t house line. i March 10— Lord Methuen captured by ii General De la Rey. 3 March 24~-Boer leaders interview Lord n Kitchener. ■ P April 11 — Boer Peace Conference meets * May 31— Peace declared. Mr Bentley has a replace advertiaemen » *j of interest. in this issue. "Wet Paint" we often see about, b: And wisely keep our distance ; Advice like that is good no doubt, * And valuable assistance, * 3ut there's one thing more precious still w Of that you can make sure,, ' Oi 3y driving off your cough 'or chill w With Wood's Great Peppermint P< Cure. WILTON'S BOVO-FBRRT3M for :>alQ faced girls^ 2s Gd^ 0