The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-22
BoER PEACE PROPOSITIONS.

| If it is true, as stated in our dispatc hes
| yesterday. that President Kruger has pro-
posed terms of peace 10 the British govern
ment, it does not follow that he expects
his terms 10 be accepted. He may have,
and probably had, some other purpose in
mind in submitting peace propositions than
bringing the war to close at once. He
knows doubtless that the British wou d
grant no other terms at this time than I'M
conditional surrender. 1t is not to be be-
lieved that he has any intention to surren-
der Internationally.
Assuming that he has made peace prop
ositions. may not his purpose be to draw
from the British a statement that they
will accept nothing but unconditional sur
render-that, in fact. they mean to conquer
the South African republics destroy their
governments and make them part of the
British empire? With a statement meaning
that in his possession he would be in bet
ter position than al present to get, not only
sympathy. but material assistance from
this and, perhaps, other countries.
1t is the very general underst anding, of
course, that it is the purpose of Great B IL
ain to deprive the Beers of their independ-
ence, but there has been no statement TO
that effect by the British government
Lord Salisbury indicated what the course
of the British government would be in his
recent speech before the Primrose League
but he made no definite statement in re-
spect TO the matter. If President Kruaer
could get from him a refusal TO accept
anything less than unconditional surrender
he ha in 10.
strong appeal TO other nations. particularly
to the United States. for assistance.
The very large audience which greeted
the Boer ENJOYS at the Grand Opera House
in Washington on Sunday night shows
that there is very great sympathy in that
city for the Beers and the South African
republics. If the effort to get assistance
from this country should be conducted
skillfully it might result favorably 10 the
Boer cause. Doubtless President Kruger
is informed Of this condition of affairs,
and 1t may be that his dispatch to Lord
Salisbury, proposing terms of peace, is
simply part of the plan for conducting a
campaign in this country for help. Presi-
dent Kruger prides himself on his ability
| as diplomat. and 1t must be admitted
that he has shown great deal Of talent in
that direction.
He knows. Of course, that 1t is only a
question of time when the British will gain
control of the Transvaal and the Orange
Free state, unless he can get some one of
the great Powers to give the Beers assist
ance. He has sought assistance from
the Powers of Europe. but without sue
cess, and now he is making a SUPP eme eff
fort in this country. 1t is not probable
that he will succeed here unless his ENJOYS
create a public sentiment in favor of the
Beers sufficiently strong to force the gov
eminent to disregard its long settled poll
cy of not meddling with the affairs of the
nations of the old world. 1t is certain
that the administration will not give the
Boer ENJOYS any hope of receiving mate
rial help. and it is doubtful If Congress
will. STILL 1t is impossible TO predict with
any degree of certainty what Congress
will do, on the eve of presidential cam
paign. under the pressure of strong pub
lie sentiment.