Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-22
Gen. Kitchener Reports His Conference
With Boef General.
TERMS SEEMED SATISFACTORY
But Were Finally Rejected by
the Burghers' Advisors.
END OF THE NEGOTIATIONS

General Botha, and Lord Kitchener, COM
manding the British forces in South Afri
ca, issued today, begin with telegram
from Sir Alfred Miner to Colonial Secre-
tary Chamberlain. The dispatch Is dated
Pretoria, February %, and states that Mrs.
Botha had returned from meeting with
her husband bringing letter in reply to
Sir Alfred Miners verbal message offer
ing to meet General Botha as means to
ending the war on the express understands
ing that he would not discuss the indie
pendence of the Transvaal and Orange
River Colony. Mrs. Botha assured Sir AL
fred Miner that the letter was written
with that point clearly understood. Cen
eral Botha referred the matter to his gem
erals and it was stated that the meeting
would probably take place at Mfddleburg.
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 indi-
On February q Sir Alfred Miner cabled
Lord Kitchener informing him that Cen
eral Botha had written that he would be
in Pretoria at 10 o'clock IN. February %.
Kitchener Interviews Botha.
dispatch from Lord Kitchener to the
war office, dated Pretoria, February %, re-
ports a long interview with General Botha.
who showed very good feeling and seemed
anxious for peace. He asked for infor-
nation. which he said he would submit to
his government, the generals and the peo-
pie. If they agreed he would visit the
Orange River Colony and get them to agree.
Should all then hand in their arms, it
would finish the war.
He said they could go on for some time.
and he was not sure he would not be able
to bring about peace with independence. II
declined to discuss such point, said Lord
Kitchener, land said modified form of in
dependence would be most dangerous and
would lead to war in the future. Replying
to General Botha's inquiries, l informed
him that when hOstilitieS ceased the mill
tary would be replaced by crown colony
administration consisting of a nominated
executive and an elected assembly to ad
wise him, followed after a period by rep
resentative government The Beers would
be licensed to have rifles to protect them
selves against the natives, the Dutch and
English languages were to have equal
rights, Kaftirs would not have the franchise
until after representative government had
been granted, the Orange Free State laws
for Kaffirs would be considered good,
church property, public trusts and orphan
funds would not be touched, no war tax
would be imposed on farmers, assistance
would be given to repair the burned farms
and to enable the farmers to start afresh,
and colonists who had joined the republics
should be disfrancihsed --',
BOtha Seemed Satisfied.
General Botha generally seemed satis-
fed with these conditions"
Among the questions to which Lord
Kitchener apparently did not reply We're
when the war prisoners would return and
regarding the taking over of debts of the
republics, including those legally contract
ed since the beginning of the war.
General Botha was reported to be making
a strong point of this. He referred to
notes which had been issued, amounting to
less than million pounds.
Lord Kitchener arranged to communicate
BothaS views to his government. All that
he said was qualified by being subject to
confirmation from the home government.
On March 3 Sir Alfred Miner cabled Lord
Kitchener. suggesting the following replies
to General BOtha:
Il beg to inform you that on the cessa-
tion of hostilities and the complete surren-
der of arms, ammunition, cannon and mu-
nitions in the hands of the burghers in the
field at government depots or elsewhere
his maJesty's government is prepared at
once to grant amnesty in the Transvaal
and Orange River Colony for all bona fide
acts of war during the hostilities, as we'll
as to move the governments of Cape Col
ony and Natal to similar action, qualified
by the disfranchisement Of any British
subjects implicated in the war. The mill
tary prisoners in St. Helena Ceylon and
elsewhere, on complete surrender, shall be
brought back to their country. Military
law shall at once be replaced by a civil
administration, but it is the desire of his
majesty's government as soon as circum-
stances will permit to establish repre-
sentative government. On the cessation of
hoStilities high court, Independent of the
executive, shall be established to admins
ter the laws Land, church property trusts
and orphan funds shall be respected The
English and Dutch languages shall be
taught in the public schools and allowed
in the law courts
Legal Debts to Re Paid.
''The legal debts Of the state to the
amount Of Fl, ,OOO, 600 shall be paid, even If
contracted during hostilities, to the extent
a creditor proves he has given value. The
government does not intend to extend the
franchise to Kaffirs in the Transvaal and
Orange River Colony before a representa-
tive government is granted"
The conditions regarding assistance to the
farmers, firearms, etc., are the same as
eral Botha. Sir Alfred Miner adds that
he agrees to the above except as to the de-
sires for modification regarding British
subjects in Cape Colony and Natal in the
colonies. will be liable to be dealt with
under the laws of those colonies passed to
meet circumstances arising in war.
He added: While I am willing to con-
cede much In order to strengthen General
Botha in inducing the people to submit,
amnesty for the rebels is not in my opin-
ion, point which his majesty's govern
ment can afford to concede 1 think it
would have deplorable effect upon Cape
Colony and Natal to obtain peace by such
a concession"
Mr.. Chamberlain, in reply dated March
., directs Lord Kitchener to modify the
terms on number Of points Eventually.
LORD Kitchener reported to the war Office,
under date of Pretoria March 10. that he
had written General Botha the terms the
government was prepared to adopt. These
We're the same as already given, except In
the following particulars:
To Limit Liabilities.
THE government cannot undertake any
liabilities regarding the debts of the late
republics. but is prepared, as an act of
grace, to set aside million pounds to re-
pay the Inhabitants for goods reauisittoned
by the republican government If the
claims, after adjustment. exceed q, 600 COO
they are liable to reduction pro rata The
Kahr franchise, when given, shall be a
limited as to secure q just predominauce
Of the white race The legal poeiffon a.
the colored Inhabitants will be siui1nr tn
that now held by them In Cane Colony.
The letter concludes:
must inform your honor that X the