Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-03-23
WHAT BRITISH OFFERED
BOERS AS PEACE TERMS.
MILITARY TO BE REPLACED BY A
CRowN COLONY ADMIN
ISTRATION.
NO FORM OF INDEPENDENCE
WOULD BE CONSIDERED BY KIrCH-
ENER OR BRITISH Gov
ERNMENT.

mentary papers giving details of the
negotiations between the Boer COM
mander-in-chief, Gen. Botha, and Lord
Kitchener, commanding the British
forces in South Africa, issued this
morning, begin with a telegram from
Sir Alfred Miner to Colonial Secre-
tary Chamberlain. The dispatch is
dated Pretoria. February %, and states
that Mrs. Botha has returned from a
meeting with her husband, bringing a
letter in reply to Sir Alfred Miners
verbal message. Offering to meet Gen.
Botha as a means of ending the war
on the express understanding that ne
would not discuss the question of in
dependence of the Transvaal and the
Orange River Colony. Mrs. Botha as
sured Sir Alfred that the letter was
written with that point clearly under
stood. Gen Botha referred the matter
to his generals, and 1t was stated hat
the meeting would probably take place
at Middleburg.
Mr.. Chamberlain replied that he was
glad to hear of Gen. Botha's desire To
tAtats aAld AORtV AZ Go S0AuAAAts IbO
will find us" added the colonial secre-
tary, anxious to meet him ON all
points affecting his individual posi-
ton"
On February 9th Sir Alfred Miner
eabled Lord Kitchener informing him
that Gen, 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. February 2Sth, reported a
long interview with Gen, Botha. who
showed very good feeling and seemed
anxious for peace. He asked for In
formation, which. he said. he would
submit TO his government, the generals
and the people. If they agreed, no
would visit the Orange River Colony
and get them 10 agree. Should all then
han in their arms it would finish the
war. He said they could go on for some
time and he VAS not sure he would be
able to bring about peace without indie
pendence. Il declined to discuss such
a point" said Lord Kitchener. for
such a modified form OF independence
would be most dangerous and would
lead u war in the future"
Replying to Gen Botha's inquiries
| informed him that when hostilities
ceased the military would be replaced
by a crown colony administration con-
sitting of a nominated executive and
an elected assembly to advise him,
followed after a period by a representa-
tive 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. kaffirs would not have
the franchise until after representative
government had been granted. the
Orange Free State laws FOR Kafirs
would be considered good, church prop
erty. public trusts and orphans funds
would not be touched, no war tax
would be imposed on farmers, assis-
lance would be gwen to repair the
burned farms and to enable the farm
ers to start afresh. and ~eolonists. who
had Joined the republic should be dis
franchised.
Gen. Botha generally seemed salts
fed with these conditions"
Among the questions to which Lord
Kitchener apparently did not reply
were, when the war prisoners would re-
turn and regarding the taking over oil
debts OF the republics, including those
legally contracted since the beginning
of the war.
Gen. Botha was reported TO me max
ing a strong point OF this. He referred
TO notes which had been issued.
amounting to less than a million
pounds.
Lord Kitchener arranged to com
municate Botha's visit 10 his govern
ment. All that ne said was qualified
by being subject to confirmation from
the home government.
On March Sth. Sir Alfred Miner
eabled Lord Kitchener. suggesting the
following replies to Gen. Botha: 4
beg To inform you that on the eessa-
ton of hostilities and the complete
surrender OF arms. ammunition, can
non and munitions in the hands OF the
burghers in the field, at government
depot or elsewhere, his majesty's gov
eminent is prepared at once TO grant
amnesty In the Transyaal and Orange
River Colony for all bona 1de acts OF
wal during the hostiIities. as well as
to move the governments OF Cape Col
ony and Natal to similar action. quail
fed by the disfnanchisemcnt of any
British subjects implicated In the war.
The military prisoners in 81. Helena.
Ceyion and elsewhere, on complete sur
render. 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 majegfy's
J government as o as circumstances
will permit 10 establish a representa-
tive government. On the cessation OF
hostilities a high court. independent OF
the executive, shall De estabiihed TO
administer the laws. Land, church
property. trusts and orphan funds shall
be respected. The English and Dutch
languages shall be taught in the pub
lie schools and allowed in the Law
courts"
These terms were submitted to Gen.
Botha by Lord Kitchener. and Gen.
Botha replied on March 18th that Re
vas i~ndisposed to recommend such
terms to his government, and that his
chief officers concurred In his views.
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