Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-03-15
LONDON TALKS OF peace.
Rumors That the Beers Are Ready
TO End the War.
DOUBTED IN MANY QUARTERS.
English Correspondents Confident the
Republicans Are willing TO Br,pg the
Struggle to n Ciose--sslisbury VIII
Propose Hard Conditions.

London, March 12.-While the Off
cial and semi-ofiicial kilograms from
Pretoria speak emphatically of the
stiffening Of the Boer resistance in
face Of reverses and the prevalence
Of spirit of desperate resolve, sew
eral English correspondents continue
to declare that not only are the Free
State Beers demoralized and anxious
for peace, but the Transvaalers are
wavering and seeking a settlement by
which they may escape prolongation
OF the exhausting struggle.
President Kruger and President
Steyn are credited with approaching
the British government with a pro-
posal Of the terms ON which they are
prepared to negotiate for peace. The
Daily Mails Pretoria correspondent, in
dispatch dated March s, and sent by
way of Lourenco MARQUES, the message
being prefaced by the words. Cen
sored by the Boer government" says:
Conversations / have had with the
highest state officers show that the
Beers consider that the time has now
arrived fl clearing up the misunder-
standings and Misrepresentation from
which they believe the war emanated.
"Thcy deny the existence OF any
Dutch conspiracy. They assert that
they occupied extra-territorial posi-
tions merely on strategic grounds,
while the abstinence of the colonial
Dutch from participation in the hos
tilities demonstrates their mistaken
loyalty.
IF England is waging a war of con-
quest the republics will fight to fin
ish; otherwise they believe that a plain
statement of the British intentions will
reveal a basis for negotiations, now
that England's prestige is repaired.
Presidents Kruger and Steyn con-
ferred at Bloemfontein Monday on the
incorporation of the above representa-
tons In telegram to Lord Salisbury.
The preservation of the independence
Of the two republics is sine qua non. u
The vast bulk of opinion in Great
Britain continues to be wholly opposed
to peace on any terms except the un-
conditional surrender of the two repub-
lies, and that is the same view that is
held by the government. Though this
fact hardly needs assertion it is shown
in the following note, which is prom
inently printed this morning in the
Standard, ministerial organ:
I'VE have reason to believe that
an authoritative announcement will
shortly be made by her majesty's gov
eminent reaffirming the impossibility
of conceding any terms Of peace to the
two South African republics which
would involve the perpetuation OF the
political and military independence
that has led to the present costly and
sanguinary conflict"
Rumors have been current in the lob
bies Of parliament for two days that
the republics have made representa-
tons looking to peace, but that these
are inadmissible.
One story that is supposed to have
reached Berlin from Johannesburg de-
clares that differences between Boer
leaders have eliminated in Gen. Jou-
bert resigning his command, and in a
decision by President Kruger to as
sumo the active leadership of the
burgher forces in the field. All this
comes from interested sources which
obviously discount it, but 1t is the fea-
ture in a section of today's London
newspapers.
Meanwhile nothing of Importance
has been received concerning the mill
tary movements in South Africa. II
is pretty clear that Gen. Roberts OPP
erations on March failed in their
main object through the skillful rap
idity of the Boer retreat.
The latest reference to the rebellion
in the Carnarvon district is report OF
the arrival at Carnarvon on March 5 OF
the advance guard of a British force,
consisting of the New Zealand mount
ed troops, commanded by Major Cra-
dock.
Heavy artillery firing was reported
from the direction Of Vosburg, whittier
the South Australian squadron is sup
p~5ed to have gone. The insurgents
seem to be gaining strength in other
places besides Prieska.
Nothing has been received to relieve
the popular anxiety regarding Mafe-
king.