New-York tribune., 1901-07-05
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS OFF.
BOERS REITERATE THEIR DEMAND FOR
INDEPENDENCE

London. July 4-In the House of Commons to-
night acrimonious discussion arose between
the Radicals and the government on the South
African war. Mr.. Lloyd-George and others vio-
lently denouncing the governments war policy.
William Redmond. Nationalist reminded the
government that the day Independence Day
beyond seas, and that British statesmen were
glad 10 claim knship with and sing ho-
sannas to great, independent America. The an
niversary, he insisted ought to be a lesson TO
them.
Mr.. Brodrick the War Secretary amid
tinuaI disorder and interruption from the Irish
benches reproached the pro- Boer Radicals with
prolonging the war by encouraging the Beers TO
a vain resistance.
He announced that the government had Just
received news that Commandant- General Louis
Botha had permission in June to communicate
with Mr. KRUGER. the result of which was
meeting at which General De Wet. General
Botha and others decided 10 continue the war
and to accept no terms short of independence.
Mr. Brodrick added that the governments reso-
luton was still unshaken and that great prog
ress had been made in the war In the last three
months
Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman. who sup
ported the Radical attack. declared that the
government should endeavor 10 conciliate brave
opponents.
tested vigorously against the pro-Boer attitude
of the opposition. declaring that it prolonged the
war and inflicted untold suffering on inno-
cent population. He taunted Sir Henry Camp
bell -Bannerman with having long sat upon the
fence but finally having made up his mind and
descended on the pro-Boer side.
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman leaped up and
angriIy exclaimed that Mr. Balfour might call
him what he liked. but he had no right TO use
a term intended to be offensive.
Mr. Balfour said he would willingly withdraw
the term "pro-Boer' if it were offensive Con-
tinuing his speech. he declared that it was not
Europe or the United States who encouraged
the Beers to resist, but that the chief encour-
agement contributed by the speeches OF
the members of the Opposition in the House of
Commons
The debate adjourned.
London. July 5-The dispatch read last night
by Mr. Brodrick in the House of Commons was
the first really definite announcement the gov
ernment has made that the peace negotiations
have failed II has revived keen interest In the
war
Dispatches from the front say the Beers still
have thirteen thousand men in the field, and
declare that unless the be finished dur
ing the next two months the prospect is that 1t
will continue for another year
The morning papers again urge the govern
ment to make vigorous efforts and to make no
further attempts ut negotiations.
The dispatch read by Mr. Brodrick was a
proclamation issued by Messrs Schalk- Burger
and Steyn. detailing the result OF General
Botha's communications with Mr.. KRUGER. being
TO the effect that Mr. KRUGER and the Boer
delegates In Europe still had great hopes of a
satisfactory issue OF the war
The debate arose on the second reading of the
War Loans bill authorizing the Chancellor of
the Exchequer to provide $50 OOOOOO by creating
consos during the current year The reading
was carried by 261 to 81
The Opposition attacked the government on
the ground of the difficulty of recovering any
considerable portion of the cost of the war from
the annexed colonies.
COLLAPSE OF THE ASQUITH REVOLT.
volt" in the Liberal party has already collapsed.