Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-03-14
BRITAIN'S DECLINATION
OF REPUBLICS APPEAL.
Lord Salisbury Told the Doer Presidents
He Would Not Agree 70 Thoir
Independence.

LoNDoN, March 14.--Lord Salisbury
confirmed the reports that the Beers had
made overtures looking to peace by
reading in the house of lords kilograms
from Kruger and Steyn OH this subject,
sent from Bloemfontcin on March 5:
"Tho presidents of tho Free State and
the South African republic to the Mar.
quis Of Salisbury;
"The blood and tears Of thousands
who have suffered by this war and the
prospect that all the moral and economic
ruin with which South Africa is now
threatened make it necessary for both bel
ligerants to ask themselves dispassion.
ately and as an insight on the tribune of
God for what they are fighting and
whether the aim of each iustifes all this
appalling misery and devastation.
with this object, and in view of the
assertion Of various British statesmen to
the effect that this war was begun and Is
being carried on with the SGT purpose of
undermining her majesty's authority in
South Africa and establishing an administra-
tion over all South Africa independent Of her
majesty 8 government we consider it our duty
solemply to declare that this war was begun
solely as defensive measure and as safe
guard to the threatened independence of the
SButh African republic, and continued in order
to secure md safeguard the incontestiblo
independence Of both republics sovereign in
ternational states, and to obtain the assurance
that her majesty's subjects who have taken
part with us In this war shall suffer no harm
whatsoever In person or property.
"On these conditions alone are we now AS in
the past, desirous Of seeing peace ere-estabished
in South Africa and of putting an end to the
evils now reigning, while IL her majesty's gov
ernment il determined to destroy the indie
pendent republics nothing is left us but to per-
severe to the end in the course already begun.
Despite the overwhelming predominancc Of
the British empire, we are confident that God,
who lighted the inextinguishablo fire of love
for freedom in our heats and those of our
fathers, will not desert us, but accomplish his
work in us and our descendants.
1--WE hesitated to make this declaration
earlier to your exce'lency as we feared that as
long rs the advantage was all on side and
as long ~ our forces held the offensive posi-.
tions far in her majesty's colonies, such decla
ration might hurt the feelings of honor OF the
British people, but now that tho prestige OF
the British empire Is assured through the cap
ture of one of our forces, and we were thereby
forced to eyacuate other positions that diff
Guilty is over and we no longer hesitate TO
clearly inform your government and people in
sight Of the whole civilized world why we are
fghting, what conditions we are ready to nc
cept to restore peace"
Salisbury's reply to the message of the
Boer presidents was sent on March III,
and was in part as follows:
II have ths honor to acknowledge your hon.
ors' telegram, Of which the purport is princi.
pally to demand that her MAJ jesty's government
shall recognize the incontcstable independence
OF the South African republic and the Orange
| Free States as sovereign international states
and To offer In those terms to bring the war to
a conclusion
Lord Saisbury's reply then relates that
| peace existed IN October when negotiations for
redress OF the grievances OF British residents
were continuing during which the republics
| made considerable addition to their arma.
ments England. therefore, had taken steps to
! provide corresponding reinforcements
Suddenly" the reply continues, ION two
| days notice the South African republic, after
/ issuing an insulting ultimatum, declared war,
and the Orange Free State, with whom there
| had been no discussion, took similar steps"
The reply said then that British colonies
were invaded three British towns besiegod
| HE territory oyerrun with consequent great
| destruction OF life and property and the inhab
itants treated as II annexed 20 the republics
Anticipating those operations the Transvaal
secretly accumulated enormous armaments
! which could only be intended for use against
| the British. As result the British were com
! PEELED 10 confront an invasion which ontaied
| upon the empire q costly war and the loss oil
| thousands OF precious lives said Salisbury,
! This great calamity has been the penalty
Great Britain has suffered for having in re
| cent years acQuiesced in tho existence OF the
two republics, In view Ct the use to which the
republics put the position given them and the
calamitles which their unprovoked attack in
ficted upon her majestys dominions, ! car
! only answer your honors' telegram by sayna
that her majesty government is not prepared
toassent to the independence of either tn,
south African republic or the Orange Ere,
State"
Dir. Balfour, the government leader, reao
the same message in the house Of commons
where the reply was received with loud cheer