The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-18
Andries Vessels, n Peace Envoy Who
Visited General DE Wet, Not
Shot, as Reported.
UPRoAR IN ENGLISH CHURCH
JOHN KENsIT PROTESTS AGAINST
CONSIDERATION SERVICES.
He Accuses the New bishop of Lon
don of Being Guilty OF He
gal Romish Practices.

LONDON, April 1.-THE South African
Blue Book, containing recent dispatches
from Sir Alfred Miner and other official
correspondence. issued tonight. Sir AL
fred Miner wired. under date OF March 3.
requesting permission to r urn home at an
early date upon leave of absence for the
purpose of resting. Mr.. Joseph Chamber
lain. the colonial secretary. replied by
granting this request. but expressing the
governments regrets that it should be nee
essary for Sir Alfred to leave South Africa
at the present time, quite recognizing. how
ever, his need for rest and mentioning
three months as a possible period of abb
sence.
In dispatch dated Feb Sir Alfred Mil
reviews the situation in South Africa
and says that he had hoped some definite
point would be reached at which IL would
be possible to sum up that chapter Of his
tory containing the war and forecast the
administrative reconstruction which must
succeed il. But / am reluctantly forced
to the conclusion that there will be no such
dividing line continues Sir Alfred Miner.
land 1 have not the slightest doubt Of the
ultimate of the result, but I foresee that
the work will be slower. more difficult.
more harassing and more expensive than
was at one time anticipated"
Other dispatches go into details concern
ing the situation. On the whole they pre-
sent gloomy state OF affairs. though pre-
dieting better things for the future. The
appearance OF the book just at this moment
is explained as a characteristfcally bold
stroke on the part Of Mr.. Chamberlain,
who. with a view TO anticipating the inev-
liable criticism upon the temporary absence
of Sir Alfred Miner from South Africa.
publishes important communications giving
frankly the views of men on the spot and
showing that Sir Alfred seizes an occasion
to secure well-earned rest, while the mill
tary operations are still unfinished SO as TO
enable him to be back at his post again
when the time arrives for inaugurating the
civil administration. The dispatches reveal
the fact that the government went further
in the direction OF endeavoring TO concili-
ate the Beers than Miner and Kitchener
were in favor Of going. and, discouraging
as the formers estimate OF the position OF
affairs in February was, his extremely SAN
guine views for the future OF South Africa
will tend TO reconcile the country, what
ever sacrifice IL may be still called upon 10
make. The question Of who is to carry on
Sir Alfreds work in his absence excites
interest. In the order of things the duty
would devolve upon Lord Kitchener. whose
ability for the task is unquestioned: but.
considering the already onerous nature OF
his military duties, it is felt that he ought
not TO be saddled with the additional work
which Miner found so heavy.
The morning papers, commenting on the
dispatches. do not attempt to gloss over the
seriousness CT Miners views. but they ex-
kibit no sign Of encouragement. and recog-
nize that it is imperative that Miner should
have rest. The pro-Boer Daily News alone
takes a desponding view and says: What
is the whole truth of the military and
political situation when the government will
admit much? Sir Alfred Miners temper
reveals for the hundredth time the personal
obstacle to all attempts at a settlement"
The Standard the Morning Post and other
papers point out the great service Sir Al
fred Miner can render I'm consultation with
the government in London on the South
African problem.