The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-03-23
REFUSAL OF AMNESTY
Natal aud Cape Colony Rebels Must
Paythe Penalty.
BoTHA couldn't RECOMMEND TERMS
So, as Has Been Heretofore Stated in These
Dispatches, He Wrote Kitchener. The
Text Of the Letters Covering
AL Non-.as-a.-.
the Negotiations.
(By the Associated Press.)

CBy the Associated Press
London, March 22.-The Parliamentary
papers giving details of the negotiations
between the Boer Commander in Chief.
General Botha, and Lord Kitchener,
commanding the British forces in South
Africa, issued today begin with tele-
gram from Sir Alfred Miner to Colo
NAL Secretary Chamberlain. The dispatch
is dated Pretoria, February %, and states
that Mrs. Botha has returned from a
meeting with her husband bringing a let
Ter in reply to Sir Alfred Miners verbal
message offering to meet General Botha
as a means to ending the war on the
express understanding that he would not
discuss the independence of the Trans
vaal and Orange River Colony. Mrs. Bo-
tina assured Sir Alfred Miner that the
letter was written with that point
clearly understood General Botha re-
ferred the matter to his generals, and
it was stated that the meeting would
probably take place at Middleburg.
Mr.. Chamberlain replied that he was
glad to hear of General Botha's desire
to treat and hoped it was genuine. He
will find us, said the Colonial Secretary,
anxious to meet him on all points affect
ing his indivaduila position"
dispatch from Lord Kitchener to the
War Office, dated Pretoria, February
28th, reports a long interview with Gen
eral Botha, who showed very good feeling
and seemed anxious for peace, He asked
for information, 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. He
said they could go on for some time and
he was not sure he would be able to
bring about peace without independence,
II declined to discuss such point,
said Lord Kitchener land said modified
form of independence would be most dan
gerous and would lead to war in the flu
lure. Replying TO General Botha's in
quiries | informed him that when hos
tilities ceased the military would be re-
placed by crown colony administra
ton consisting of a nominated executive
and an elected assembly to advise. fol-
lowed otter a period by a representative
government. The Beers would be licensed
to have rifles to protect themselves
against the natives, the Dutch and Eng
lisn languages were to have equal rights.
Kaflirs would not have The franchise un-
til after representative government had
been granted. The Orange Free State
laws for Kaffrs 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 to repair the
burned farms and to enable the farm
ers to start afresh, and colonists who had
Joined the Republic should be disfran-
chised.
General Botha generally satisfied with
these conditions.
On March 3rd Sir Alfred Miner ca
bled Lord Kitchener, suggesting the fol-
lowing replies to General Botha
i beg to inform you that on the ces-
sation of hostilities and the complete
surrender of arms, ammunition, cannon
and munitions in the hands of the
burghers in the field at Government de-
pots or elsewhere His Majesty's Gov
eminent is prepared at once to grant am
nesty in the Transvaal and Orange River
Colony for all bona fde acts of war dur
ing the hostilties, as well as to move the
Governments Of Cape Colony and Natal
to similar action, qualified by the dis
reimbursement of any British subjects inn
plicated in the war The military prison
ers in st. Helena, Ceylon and elsewhere
on complete surrender, shall be brought
back to their country. Military law shall
at once be replaced by a civil admins
tration. but il is the desire Of His Mai
esty's Government as soon as circum-
stances will permit 10 establish rep-
resentative government. On the cessa-
tion Of hostilities a high court indepen-
dent Of the executive, snail be establish
ed TO administer the laws Land church
property trusts and orphan funds shall
be respected. The English 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 81 coo, 900 shall be paid, even II
contracted during hostilties to the ex-
/ tent a creitor proves he has given value
the Government does not intend to ex-
| Transvaal and Orange Colony before a
| republic government is granted.
The conditions regarding assistance IL
| the farmers, Are arms, etc, are the
| same as those in Lord Kitcherner's re-
| plies to General Botha. Sir, Alfred Mil.
ner adds that he agrees to the abov,
! except as to the desires for modi6ca.
| tion regarding British subjects in Cape
Colony and Natal in the Boer army. who
| if they returned to those colonies. vii
be liable to be dealt with under the law,
Continued on Fourth Page)