The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-03-28
THOSE PEACE TERMS
Correspondence Between Kitchen
er and BOtha Made Public.
WHY BOERS DID NOT ACCEPT
Story of the Proceedings From an
Interesting Chapter of the
Troubles In South Africa.

A London special says: The pre-
limipary papers giving details of the
/, negotiations between the commander
in chief, General Botha, and Lord
Kitchener, commanding the British
forcos in South Africa, issued Friday
morning, began with telegram from
Sir Alfred Miner to Colonial Secre-
tary Chamberlain. The dispatch is
dated Pretoria, February 22d, and
states that Mrs. General Botha had
returned from meeting with her hus-
band bringing letter in reply to Sir
Alfred Miners verbal message offer.
ing to meet General Botha as means
of ending the war on the express un-
dcrstanding that he would not discuss
the question of independence of the
Transvaal and the Orange river COL
ony.
Mrs. Botha assured Sir Alfred that
the letter was written with that point
clearly understood. General Botha
retired the matter to his generals
and it was stated that the meeting
would probably take place at Middle
burg.
Mr.. Chamberlain replied that he
was glad to hear of General Botha's
desire to treat and hoped it was
genuine.
"He will find u.s." said the colonial
secretary. "anxious to meet him on all
points affecting his individual posi-
tion."
On February 9th, Sir Alfred Mil
ner cabled Lord Kitchener informing
him that General Botha had written
that he would be in Pretoria at 10
o'clock a. m, February 2Sth.
A dispatch from Lord Kitchener to
the war Office, dated Pretoria, Febru-
ary 2Sth, reports long interview with
General Botha, who showed very good
feeling and seemed anxious for peace.
He asked for information which, he
said, he would submit to his govern
ment, the generals and the people. If
they agreed he would visit the Orange
river colony and get them to agree.
Lord Kitchener arranged to commu-
nicate Botha's views to the govern
ment. All that he said was qualified
by being subject to confirmation by
the home government. On March 5
Sir Alfred Miner cabled Lord Kitch-
ener suggesting the following replies
to General Botha:
81 beg to inform you that on the
cessation of hostilities and the COM
plete surrender of arms, ammunition,
cannon and munitions in the hands Of
burghers in the field at government
depots or elsewhere his majesty's gov
ernment is prepared at once to grant
amnesty in the Transvaal and Orange
river colony for all bona 6de acts of
war during the hostilities, as we'll
as move the governments of Cape
Coloney and Natal to similar
action qualified by the disfranchise-
ment of any British subjects impli-
Gated in the war. The military pris-
oners at St. Helena, Ceylon and else
where, on complete surrender, shall
be brought back 70 their country.
Military law shall at once be replaced
by civil administration, but it is the
desire of his majesty's government as
soon as circumstances will per-
NIT to establish a representative
government. On the cessation of
hostilities a high court, independ-
ent of the executive, shall be estab-
lishea to administer the law. Church
property, trusts and orphan funds
shall be resnected. English and Dutch