New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-04
PEACE TALK HEARD.
RUMORED CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS
KRUGER AND STEYN

hhUEGEh AND STEYN.
Copyright 1900: by The New-York Ir1buneI
lBT CABLE TO THE TRIBUNEl
London, March f. l a. m.-There is no con-
nrmatioa of a Lourenco Marques rumor that
President Krtger has Joined President Steyn and
ss on the point of opening peace negotiations.
1.-The Times IN its afternoon edition yesterday
announced that President Kriiger had left Pre-
toria for unknown destination, and that it
was corjectured that conference between the
Presidents OF the two republics would take place
There official information respecting
overtures for peace Members of Parliament
were not disposed TO attach Importance to the
rurnor, and military explained that the
probable object of the Presidential conference
was the adoption OF measures of defence against
the advance of Lord Robertss army Bloemfon-
tein cannot be defended, but there are lines of
hills at the Vet and Walsh rivers where a strong
stand can be made and the passage OF the Vaal
River be contested the way to Pretoria.
The Dutch commandoes cannot be massed under
single leadership without a direct agreement
between Kruger and Steyn.
II is not believed in influential circles here that
the United States Government will be asked by
the two republics TO make approaches to Great
Britain in the direction of peace, since KRUGER
and Steyn are more likely to avaI themselves of
the services of Messrs. Hofrneyr and Schreiner
The interve7ti of Germany is as unlikely as
that OF Frarre. II is believed in diplomatic
circles that the German Emperor was among the
first to send congratulations to the Queen on the
surrender Of Cronje and the relief Of Lady
smith. His sympathies have been with England
throughout the war. Cecil Rhodes's visit to
Berlin last spring, when the Emperor displayed
a remarkable knowledge of the details Of rail-
way construction, not without effect, and
the Queens influence over her grandson has
exercised. A lady
German Court formerly maid of honor to the
Empress Frederick is authority for the state
ment that the Queen is the only person in
Europe Of whom the Emperor stands in awe.
She alone addresses him as Willie" and is most
afectionate in her treatment OF him a favor
ite grandson. Powerful these influences may
be regarded at Potsdam, It is probable that the
German Emperor has received substantial con-
cessions from the British Foreign Office. which
fully account for his neutrality during the pres
ent campaign and hearty friendship for England.
There Is a sudden shrinkage Of news from the
seat Of war. Supplies are moving rapidly into
Ladysrnith and General Buffers army is rest
ing from its labors until orders can be received
from General Roberts respecting future oper-
ations. Pathetic accounts Of General Whites
emotion when Lord Dundonald's troopers ar
rived in Ladysmith still appear in print. The
railway 20 Colenso will require extensive re-
pairs.
Three British officers belonging to Whites and
Buffers forces have escaped from Pretoria, and
ten soldiers have also eluded pursuit
The Colesberg district has been entirely aban-
doned by the Beers, and General Clements's S
scouts now near the Orange River. General
Gatacre's forces are moving toward Stormberg,
and there has been renewed skirmshing near
Dordrecht Fighting is reported TO be imminent
IN the Free State on the line Of General Rob
erts's advance but the extent of the Dutch con-
Seutration is unknown. /. n. F.