New-York tribune., 1901-03-23
FUTILE PEACE EFFORTS.
DETAILS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS Re
TWEEN KITCHENER AND BOTHA.
BRITISH TERMS. AFTER MODIFICATION BY
MR.. CHAMBERLAIN. WERE REJECTED
BY THE BOERS-THE PAPERS
IN PARLIAMENT


Lord Kitchener. commanding the British forces
in South Africa, issued this morning begin with
a telegram from Sir Alfred Miner TO Colonial
Secretary Chamberlain. The dispatch is dated
Pretoria, February 22, and states that Mrs
Botha had returned from a meeting with her
husband bringing letter in reply 10 Sir Alfred
Miners verbal message offering to meet Cen
eral Botha with view to ending the war.
the express understanding that he would not
discuss the question of the Independence of the
Transvaal and the Orange River Colony Mrs.
Botha assured Sir Alfred Milner that the letter
was written with that point clearly understood
General Botha referred the matter TO his ger
erals. and it was stated that the meeting would
probably take place at AIiddleburg Mr. Cham
berlain replied that he was glad to hear of Cen
eral Botha's desire to treat. and hoped il was
genuine. He will find u.s. said the Colonial
Secretary, anxious to meet him or all points
affecting his individual position"
on February 2I Sir Alfred Miner cabled Lord
Kitchener informing him that General Botha
had written that he would be in Pretoria at 10
o'clock a. m. February 2S.
BOTHA ANXIOUS FOR PEACE
dispatch from Lord Kitchener to the War
Office, dated Pretoria. February 2S reports a
long interview with General Botha. who showed
very good feeling and seemed anxious for peace
ii winch
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. He said they could go on for
some time and he not sure he would be
d able 10 bring about peace without independence.
: q declined TO discuss such a point said Lord
Kitchener. and said a modified form of inde-
pendence would he most dangerous and would
lead TO war in the future. Replying to General
Botha's inquiries I informed him that when
hostilities ceased the military would be replaced
by crown colony administration, consisting of
a nominated executive and an elected assembly
TO advise him, followed after a period by a rep
resentative government. The Beers would be
licensed 10 have rifles to protect themselves
against the natives: the Dutch and English
lsnguag ges were TO have equal rights; Kafirs
would not have the franchise until after repre-
sentative 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 repair the burned farms and
10 enable the farmers to start afresh, and colo
nists who he'd Joined the republics should be
disfranchised. General Botha seemed satisfied
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 TAX
ing over of debts of the republics, including
those legally contracted since the beginning of
the war. General Botha was reported TO be
making strong point Of this. He referred to
notes which had been issued. amounting TO less
than 100000. Lord Kitchener arranged TO
communicate Botha's views to his government
All that he said was qualified by being subject
he
THE TERMS OFFERED BY MILNER.
On March Sir Alfred Miner cabled Lord
Kitchener, suggesting the following replies to
General Botha:
beg to inform you that on the cessation Of
hosrLities and the complete surrender of arms,
ammunition, cannon and munitions in the hands
OF the burghers in the field at government depots
or elsewhere. his majesty's government is pre-
pared at once to grant amnesty in the Trans
vaal and Orange River Colony for all bona fide
acts Of during the hostilities. as we'll as 10
move the governments of Cape Colony and Natal
TO similar action qualified by the disfranchise-
ment Of any British subjects implicated in the
war The military prisoners in St Helena, Cey-
ion and elsewhere on complete surrender, shall
be brought back TO their country Military law
shall once be replaced by civil administra-
ton, but it is the desire of his majesty's govern
Ihent as soon as circumstances VIII permit, 10
establish representative government. On the
cessation Of hostilities high court, independent
or the executive, shall be established TO ad-
minister the laws. Land, church property, trusts
and orphan funds shall be respected The Eng
lish and Dutch languages shall be taught in the
public schools and allowed in the law courts.
The legal debts Of the State To the amount of
1l,B0.O0O shall be paid, if contracted dur
ing hostiities. TO the extent a creditor proves he
has given value. The government does not in
tend to extend the franchise TO Kaffirs in the
TransVaal and Orange River Colony before
representative government is granted.
The conditions regarding assistance to the
farmers. firearms. etc. the same those
in Lord Kitchener's replies to General Botha.
Sir Alfred Miner adds that he agrees TO the
above except as TO the desires for modification
regarding British subjects in Cape Colony and
Natal in the Boer army, who. if they return
10 those colonies. will be liable 10 be dealt with
under the laws Of those colonies passed to meet
Circumstances arising in He said:
While am willing to concede much in order
IN strengthen General BOtha in inducing the
people 70 submit. amnesty for the rebels is not,
in my opinion, point which his majesty's gov
eminent can afford to concede. think II would
have a deplOrable effect upon Cape Colony and
Natal TO obtain peace by such a concession.
CHAMBERLAINs NOTIFICATIONS
Mr. Chamberlain, in reply dated March 6,
directs Lord Kitchener To modify the terms
a number Of points. Eventually Lord Kitchener
reported TO the War Office, under date Of
Pretoria March 30. that he had written to Gen
eral Botha the terms the government was pre-
pared 20 adopt. These were the same as already
given except in the following particulars:
The government cannot undertake any abili-
nes regarding the debts of the late republics.
nut IS prepared act Of grace. to set aside
tLG0o,0o0 10 repay the habtants for goods
requisitioned by the republican governments.
--------