Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-11
BOTHA REOPENS
NEGOTIATIONS.
Undertakes to Secure Peace in
Behalf of All Beers,
DEWET'S MIND WEAKENING
News Lacks Confirmation -Botba Has
Had an Interview with Gen.
Kitchener.

Capetown April l0.-Gen. Botha he's
reopened negotiations with the British
for peace
1t is understood here that, although
Gen. Dewet In his recent interview
with Gen. Botha refused to surrender,
Gen. Botha, regarding him as irrespon-
sible, undertakes TO negotiate in behalf
of the entire Boer force.
The British authorities here consider
that II Gen, Botha surrenders Dewet's
following can be easily taken.
As explained here, this action was
determined IN part by Gen. B0tha's dis
c0Very at recent meeting that Gen,
DeWets intellect had weakened. that
his influence with the followers was d.
mlnlshing and that a continuance of
the campaign in view Of Gen. Dewet's
ifresponsibllty, rested with Gen. Botha
alone
BoTHA MEETS KITCHENER.
London, April lit IL semi-offi-
cially asserted here" says the Cape
town correspondent Of the Daily Tele-
graph that Gen. Botha has had am
other Interview with Lord Kitchener, in
which he informed him that he had
seen Gen, Dewet, who still refuses 10
entertain any idea of surrender on ans
terms, Gen Botho, however. regards
Gen. Dewet irresponsible for his ac-
lions and seeks modus vlvend on be.
half Of all the burgher forces"
The report that Gen. Botha has re-
neWed the negotiations with Lord
Kitchener is not yet officially con-
iirmed, but II is generally credited and
received with satisfaction EXCEPT by
the ultra jingoes, who fear the govern
ment viii renew the terms recently re-
Jected,
Regarding Gen. Dewets mental con-
dition reports have been very conflict
ing for some time, His recent mac
tiVity points 70 there being some truth
In the rumor which alleges that long
continued hardship under the harass-
ing British pursuit has unhinged his
mind.
On the other hand, a correspondent of
the Times quite recently Acknowledged
the wonderful foresight and fertility
of resource" which characterized De-
vets retreat from Cape Colony.
As during the previous abortiye nego-
tiatons, the British press again loudly
insists on unconditional surrender"
but with the budget necessities staring
the country In the face, IL negotia tons
are reopened the Beers. as the Daily
Chronicle remarks editorially may
reckon on fair treatment at the hands
OF the British
NEWS NOT CONErpMrn
New York, April IA special to
the Tribune from London says;
The report that Gen. Botha has re-
opened peace negotiations lacks official
confirmation, although one correspond
ent In sending the news from Capetown
describes II as seml-ofiicial. The fact.
however, that the telegram has been al
lowed TO go over the wires by the mill
tary censor should not be taken as
guarantee of It's correctness. Only the
other day Mr.. Kruger secuted the idea
of peace without independence and as
serted passionately that his officers in
South Africa were OF his opinion: but
II there should be any truth In the re-
port Of the revival OF negotiations. ii Is
clear that the ex-president must have
been misinformed for II must follow
that any idea Of securing the independ-
ence OF the republic has ben finally
abandoned by the Beers. 1t is entire
ly possible that Gen. Botha does not
find IL easy TO cooperate with Dewet
but statements about the latter's men
tai decay contrast sharply with the ac-
counts OF the famous raiders foresight
and fertility Of resource during his re-
cent retreat from Cape Colony.