The Saint Paul globe., 1900-03-11
PEACE is SOUGHT
FIVE MESSAGES HAVE PASSED BE-
TWEEN BOER LEADERS AND
BRITISH GOVERNMENT
CAUSED SURPRISE and DELIGHT
CABINET WAS CONVENED TO CON-
sIDER THE MESSAGES. AND
SENT REPLIES TO ALL
THEY WERE UNCoMPRoM1s1NG

Taken in London to Mean That the
End of the War Is Near at Hand
semI-OhciaI Statement of the
Governments Views ON the Peace
Proposition BIOemfOntein May
be Taken Within u Few Days.
LONDON, March 10.-Several papers an
nounce that the government on Tuesday
received five messages from President
Kruger and President Steyn, in Dutch,
asking upon what terms a cessation of
hostilities could be brought about. The
messages surprised and delighted the de-
partment concerned. While their tenor
was understood, it was found necessary
to summon persons thoroughly capable
of accurately interpreting the messages,
all of which were filed at Bloemfontein.
The cabinet convened on Wednesday to
consider the messages, and 1t Is believed
an uncompromising reply was sent, which
is known to have reached Bloemfontein
by the same means as the Boer cable
grams reached the government The ma
ture of the reply was such as to lead to
a further but gradual retirement of the
Boer forces.
ENGLAND'S POSITION.
In the absence of important war news
from the seat of war speculation is rife
regarding the probability of an early
peace President Kruger's appeal to Lord
Salisbury for cessation of hostilities.
announced on Friday, is taken as fore
shadowing that the end will soon be in
sight The governments views are prob
ably enunciated in the following semi
official statement, issued last night:
''It is understood the government does
not consider the time has arrived for the
proposition of any ultimate terms of
peace, and no member has authorized any
authentic statement on the subject, but
1t is generally understood among poll
tical circles that as far as the South At
rican republics are concerned The status
quo ante bellum cannot remain unaltered
after the close of hostilities Their part
in the system which involved a large
measure of police and military independ-
ence will, Of course, be materially modi-
fed as q. result of the war, but the grow
ing prospects of restored peace must be
further advanced before her maJesty's
government can either finally formulate
proposed terms of settlement or make
any announcement Of their plan"
ANXIETY FOR MAFEKING.
The only cloud upon the horizon for
British eyes Is the condition of the Mate-
king garrison, The croakers. are having
much to say about it, and assume that
the Boer reports of the capture of all
the forts except one are correct. The op
timists are disposed to believe that the
garrison is weary of the long siege and
diet of horse flesh, and is making a loud
call for a relief column. They admit that
the Beers. having lost Kimberley and La
dysmith, will make a desperate effort to
capture Mafeking and carry off the prime
minister's son to Pretoria, but they are
convinced that Gen. Roberts has sent
Col. Kekewich, with volunteer force,
as far as the Vaal river, and that War
rem or some other general will follow
him with reinforcements and push on to
the relief of the garrison.
KRUGER AT PRETORIA.
PRETORIA. Friday March 9.-The
president has returned from Bloemfon-
-tein. Gen. Joubert is expected here short
ly. Fighting commenced in the direction
of Helpmakaar this morning.
KITCHENER AT. VICTORIA WEST.
CARNARVON, Cape Colony, March 10.
-Gen. Kltchener mas arrived at victoria
West, to organize various columns for
the purpose of suppressing the rebellion
which is spreading in this district. Minor
fighting has occurred in several direc-
tiOns
SHOTS EXCHANGED.
BOER HEADQUARTERS, BIGGARS-
BERG, Friday, March 9.-Shots were ex-
changed this morning near Helpmakaar,
with a small body of British who retired
hastily. Scouts report that the British
main advance is coming from Ladysmith
towards Sundays river.
BRABANT'S COLUMN
JAMESTOWN. Cape Colony, March TO-
Cen Brabant's column left at day
break today for Aliwal Northsig.