The sun., 1900-05-21
~ SOUTH AFRICA.

The most important news for the moment Ia
the reported willingness of the Beers to sue for
peace As yet the offers of submission come
only from the Free Staters. whose properties
are covered by the British occupation. but they
are made, accompanied BY conditions which tho
British decline to entertain So far there is no
indication of the terms on which the Trans
vaalers are PREPARED to make peace. but 1t is
understood that they will not do so uncondi-
tonally. Under the circumstances there seems
no probability that there will bel an immediate
cessation of hostilites, as the recent speech OF
Mr., Joseph Chamberlain has made II quite
plain that none OF the things which the Beers
are standing out for will be conceded them by
the British Government. Unconditional sur
render with political dsfranchisement and
other disabilities to follow are th' best terms
they have to expect. together with the break
ing up of their present territorial divisions and
a redistribution Of them into new adminstra-
tive districts TO be governed as Crown Colonies
Natal Is TO be compensated for its losses and
sacrifices by the annexation Of consider
able extent Of Boer territory, and information
from Cape Town says 1t IL Intended to
annihilate the Dutch AfriSander majority In
the Cape Colony Parliament by detaching a
number Of the northern districts. the popula-
ton of which is almost exclusively Of Dutch
origin from the Colony. and annexing them to
the Free State. which Is to be constituted the
Orange River Crown Colony In this way a
British majority is to he created In the Cape
Colony. which will be left in possession Of
modified Constitutional privileges less liberal
and more subject to Colonial ONCE control than
those now enjoyed
II the Beers with the programme recently
outlined by Mr. Joseph Chamberlain before
them, are willing to surrender the war is prac-
tCally at an end but il the Transvaalers are
going to stand out for the maintenance of their
Independence il will have to go on until they
are beaten down, which. unless foreign compli-
cations call for the British army in some other
direction Is only matter OF time. no matter
how herocnlly they may fight. Their only
chance apparently is in England finding her
self involved in more serious entanglements
md there are no signs OF such on the surface of
affairs
The proposals made to Lord Roberts by Gen
DeWet to surrender with thousand Of his men
on condition that they are not to be sent 70
Cape Town or 81 Helena are interesting as show
Ing the ne elect Prodnced On m ne Boer mind by the
island Lore Roberts s reply affords no encour-
aeement TO them or the Others who may con-
template surrender, unless unconditional
Meanwhile the British show no relaxation in
their rreparatons for pushing the campaign
Gen Butler Is moving steadyup toward Lnings
Mex where the Beers are reported strongly en-
| trenched, and Gen. Runde has arrived at
Irommel. just half way in dipct line between
| Winburg and Ficksburg in the Free State the
| Beers retiring to Senekal and FickshurC where
| they are reported from Maseru In Basutolan nd
TO be in force. latest dcspa tches contain many
| rlmors evidently without foundation The
! oIcial announcement of the relief OF Mafe =
| king was still wanting at 3 p. NJ yesterday, but
| there wa, no doubt that 1t had been effected