The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-02-13
PET DEwET CALLED COWARD.
Record of the Peace Envoy Is
Told.

New York, Feb. 12.-Charles d. Pierce,
the Orange Free State consul general, has
given out a, statement by W. d. Snyman,
commandment on General Christian De
vets staff in reply 10 published letter
purporting 10 have been written To- Gen
eral Dewet by his brother, Pet Dewet.
This letter urged General Dewet to sur
render to the British forces. Command
Il notice that the British censor Is very
ready 70 transmit this letter almost in its
entirety, although any news favorable to
the Beers Is very rigldly curtailed. Next
leE us consider the relationship between
the brothers. 2. DeWet was assistant
comma nCfant general of the Orange Free
State and took part in numerous battles.
1t was at Sand river. when Outfianked by
General French, that General DeWet gave
instructions for Us to leave our positions
and ran back on krOOnstad; when z.
Dewet and L rode from the general. to
carry out orders to start the conveys
with guns and ammunition, ] then gath
cred from him (P. DeWet) that he wa
against proceeding any further than
krOOnstad: and instead of going to the
appointed place he branched of with his
commando to his farm near Lindley,
which was the last time L saw him.
We we're then ordered TO concentrate
our forces at Roof koDjeS. and naturally
P DeWet received similar instructions; We
heard rumOrS that he was COmpunica ting
with lord Roberts TO surrender, rumOrs
which were reported by his burgherS
General Dewet then ordered mis- brother
60 come 10 the front at once, and on his
refusal dismissed him and appointed
Commandment Rouse in MS place. p. De
wet then, with his staff, four in all. went
10 kroonstad and surrendered.
Believe He Is Paid.
We then heard that ne was sent as
prisoner TO Durham Now, 20 ny surprise,
learn that he Is a peace commissioner 70
Lord Kitchener. Does it rot seem strange
that now. when Kitchener is proposing to
send the prisoners TO India, man like
p Dewet. who has held a high position
aan- d. 81 4
peace envoy TO help the British unless
some consideration has been given or
pTOmiSed2
1T also seems strange that p Dewet
should now advise surrender. considering
that he was The first to cross into the
Cape Colony and persuade the COlOnials
TO join their brothers and leave that re
SpOnsible government which he now ad-
vocates for the republicans
This letter also saws let us educate
our cnlldrenE here would like to remind
you that the Orange Free State with its
free compulsory education for the last
htteen years. Is far in advance of the
tary system.
British nold Little.
The letter goes on to say that the
British have the country and are not
likely to give it up; it does not seem so
when Lord Kitchener has to cable for
$4,000 more troops After all. what parts
of the two countries do the British actual
ly hold2 Only the principal towns along
the raiirOad- As to the taunts in regard
TO the inactivity of the TransVaaI
hurghers, why. if Eotha and his com
mancOs are doing M fighting, is Kitchens
eT keeping 64ed0 men at Pretoria
II am inclined to think that this letter
like the book OF Paul BOtha, is of British
manufacture
Knowing my people as / do. I say here
that 1t does not lie in the power of Pres
ident Steyn, General Dewet or any other
person TO surrender UnCOnditiOnally this
IS q war Fought By the people. not by
generals and presidents. and can never be
ended eXCeVt by unanimous consent of
thd burgheFs. nder present circunI-
stances. who should the Beers give up
They have lost every thing all they can
now gain is their country and freedom
for which they are fighting and Will fight
10 the end"