New-York tribune., 1900-05-21
DE WET TO SURRENDER.
RITMoR THAT PRESIDENT KRUGER HAS
ASKED FOR AN ARMISTICE-
rr,,,,,-sgh-. 1aOo. I3yy The New-York TI1bune-l

downright: 1900: BY The New-York Tribunal
[By CABLE TO THE TRIBuNE-I
rondon Nav 81 ] g. rn.-The first rurnor OF
peace has come from Kroonstad, Where Soii-
rnandant De Wet is reported by a news agency
70 have offered surrender with MS enlUe
Free State force. There are similar reports
from Lourenco Marques. where President kru-
ger is alleged to have asked General Rooeres
TO grant an armistice. De Vets proposal is
described as conditional, and Krigers offer is
said TO be accompanied by threats against Jo-
hannesburg and the mines. 1t is not likely that
Lord Roberts will consider any terms short OF
unconditional surrender, nor can President
Rruger expect to dictate peace with club IN
his hand and cases OF dynamite and blasting
gelatine behind him. The Dutch have MADE
too gallant a fight against the resources OF a
mighty empire to accept the only terms on
which Lord Salisbury offer peace The
rumors are premature and designed to
strengthen the hands OF the delegates in Wash
fngton who are knocking at the door of the
State Department There is no probability
that Kruger and Steyn can propose any terms
Of peace which will be acceptable to England
They will not suggest annexation, and that is
the only practical basis of peace.
The military situation implies the necessity
for peace negotiations the Dutch side The
Beers have been driven out Of Natal The
Free State has been overrun and the Transvaai
IS threatened with invasion by Roberts, Butler.
Hunter and Darlington. The situation is SO
utterly hopeless that 1t may safely be assumed
that Presidents Krtiger and Steyn in their con-
sultations at Pretoria discussed the expediency
OF making proposals for peace. AS President
Steyn started at for Heilbron, 1T is not i'm
probable that De Wet has offered to surrender
on his own terms, and it IS reasonable to as
sumo that President KRUGER has sent dis
patches 10 Washington which will the dele
gates with full power TO solicit the good offices
Of the United States Government in bringing
about a general armistice.
There are rumors in the air that the Cabinet
discussed on Friday offers Of peace from Pre-
tcria, and that the Prime Minister'S visit that
night 70 Windsor was made for the purpose OF
communicating the proposals to The Queen. but
I unable to find any confirmation Of these
reports. The opinion OF well informed men last
night that Kriger and Steyn were making
. determined effort draw the American Gov
eminent into an ambuscade OF some kind. and
under cover Of friendly service similar to that
offered by France at the close of the with
Spain to obtain vantage ground for negotiat-
ing terms OF peace. The opinion in England is
very strong on this subject Peace negotiations
ending in a fresh convention not desired.
An annexation proclamation by Lord Roberts
is what Parliament expects and the empire de-
mands. WHAT has been going on in South
Africa has borne a close resemblance to civil
war, and, as Englishmen agreed must end
like the American civil conflict, with magnanirn-
fly in triumph. but without an armistice or
peace negotiations or foreign intervention or any
compromise
Apart from these peace rumors there was
little news at midnight. The War Office had
not received dispatches from Mafeking but the
fact that the garrison had been relieved on
Wednesday night was questioned in Pre-
toria, where there were fresh details of the on
gsgement Of that day between Delarey and the
British force.
Buffers rapid advance 10 Laings Mex. is re-
ported 10 have been entirely unopposed even
Majuba being passed without resistance and
the Beers scattering in various directions
The silence enforced by the censor at Kroon-
stad was good proof that General Roberts WAS
Preparing TO advance this week. His eastern
Rank was secured by Rumble. who was midway
between Winburg and Ficksburg, having occu-
pHd Trommel and Clocolan. and his western
hank was protected by Methuen and Hunter
-niftary writers are predicting that General
ROBERTS viii reach the Vaal by the end Of the
"eeh and that the conquest Of the Free State
WIN le completed In a few weeks by Rumble
Nehral Roberts. while forced TO depend upon
f1euler for news from Mafeking was able yes
7