The sun., 1901-03-23
TERMS OFFERED B0THA
Details Of the Peace Negotiations That
Came to Naught.
BoERS ASKED INDEPENDENCE
potha Told Kitchener That Unless
They Got II He Wns Not Sure
That He Could Bring
About Peace.

tiatiOnS between BOllla ana Aitcnenei
have been published. They narrate
Mrs. Bothas successful efforts to
bring about a meeting of the hostile
commanders and contain dispatch
from Kitchener stating what occurred
Mt the meeting OH Feb. 2S.
Kitchener reported that Botha show
Cd very good feeling and seemed anx-
ious for peace. He asked for informa-
tion, which he said he would submit to
his government, the generals and the
people. 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.
lie said they could fight OIL for some
time. and he was not sure he would
he able to bring about peace without
independence.
II declined to discuss such n point"
said Lord Kitchener, land said mod
flied form of Independence would be
most dangerous and would lead to war
in the future.
Replying to General Botha's inquir-
les. ! Informed him that when hostili-
ties ceased the military would be re-
placed by crown colony administra-
tion, consisting of a nominated execu-
tive and an elective assembly to adj
wise him, followed after period by
Il representative government. The
Beers would be licensed to have rifles
To protect themselves against the ma
tivcs. The Dutch and English lam
guages We're to have equal rights. Kaf-
frs would not have the franchise until
after representative government had
been granted. The Orange Free State
laws for Katiirs would be considered
good. Church property, public trusts
and orphan funds would not be touch
ed. No war tax would be imposed Oh
farmers. Assistance would be given
to repair The burned farms and to
enable the farmers to start afresh. and
rolonists who had joined the republics
should be disfranchised. General Bo-
tia generally seemed satisfied with
these conditions"
what Kitchener Did Not Say.
Among the questions to which Lord
Kitchener apparently did not reply
were when the war prisoners would re-
turn and regarding the taking over Of
debts of the republics. including those
legally contracted since the beginning
Of the war General Botha. il was re-
ported, was making strong point of
1 Ia, 80. -, n, I'm a
been issued, amounting to less than H.
0nD,000.
On March 3 Sir Alfred Milncr cabled
suggesting the following replies to Gen
ernl Botha
II beg to inform you that on the ces-
sation of hostilities anu the complete
surrender of arms, ammunition. can
non and munitions in the hands of the
burghers in the field. at government
dcpots or elsewhere his ma iesty's gov
| crnment 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 well as to
move the governments of Cape Colony
AMI Natal to similar action qualified by
the dsfranchscmcnt of any British
subjects implicated in the war. The
military prisoners in ST. Helena. Ccy-
Ion and elsewhere. on complete surren-
der. shall be brought back to their
y country. Military law Shall at once he
replaced by n civil administration, but
| il is the desire of his maiesty's govern
nunt, as soon as circumstances will
/ lerlnit. to establish a representative
government. On the cessation OF hos
| tilities high court, independent of the
executive, shall be established to al.
minister the laws. Land. church prop
erty, trnsts and orphan funds shall he
respected. The English and Dutch
languages shall be taught in the public
schools and allowed in the law courts.
The Payment of Debts.
'The legal debts Of the state to the
amount of i1.o0O.oO0 shall be paid even
il contracted during hostilities to the
extent every creditor proves that he
has given value. The government does
not intend to extend the franchise ia
KailirS in the TranSvaal and Orange
River Colony before Il representative
government has been granted"
Eventually Lord Kitchener reported
to the war office under date of Prcto
rin, March 20. that he had written Gen
eral Botha the terms the government
was prepared 10 adopt. These were til,
same as already given except in the fol
lowing particulars:
The government cannot undertake,
any liabilities regarding the debts OF
the late republics. but is prepared. a.
til act of grace, to set aside II 900. .OO(
10 repay the inhabitants for good.
, requisitioned by the republican gov
rlnnents. If the claims after adjust
. ment exceed f1,0O0,OO0, they are liabl,
, to reduction pro rata
On March 16 Lord Kitchener receive,
General Botha's acknowledgment OF
, The receipt Of the letter. Il had ad
, rlsed my government" wrote Genera
Rotha, "of your excellency's letter. bn
after the mutual exchange of views il
our interview ut AIiddleburg Feb. 22 i
Will certainly not surprise your excel
/ lency to know that | do not feel Ills
posed to recommend the terms of sait
letter, but they shall have the earnes
consideration of my government.
5 may add that my government and IN,
{ chief officers here entirely agree will
my views"
PnderewsISi's Son Dead.