The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-23
WHICH WE'RE REJECTED BY THE
FIGHTING BOERS.
THE PAPERS MADE PUBLIC.
OCCUPATIONS WE'RE BEGUN BY
MRS. BOTHA.

ling to Sacrifice Their Allies in
cane Colony and object to Kahir
Suffrage.
London, March 22-The parliamentary
rapers given details of the negotiations
batween the Boer commander-in-chief,
Cen. Botha, and Lord Kitchener COM
handing the British forces in South Af-
RIGA. issued to-day, begin with a tele-
gram from Sir Alfred Miner to Colonial
Secretary Chamberlain. The dispatch
IS dated Pretoria, Feb. %, and states that
Mrs. Botha had returned from meeting
with her husband bringing a letter in re-
nlv to Sir Alfred Miners verbal message
Offering to meet Gen. Botha as a means
of ending the war on the express under
standing that he would not discuss the
independence of the Transvaal and Orange
River Colony. Mrs. Botha assured Sir
Alfred Miner that the letter was written
with that point clearly understood. Gen.
Botha referred the matter to his gen.
erals, and it was stated that the meeting
would probably take place at Middleberg.
Mr. Chamberlain replied that he was
a
s treat and hoped it was genuine.
He will find u.s." said the colonial sec
retary anxious to meet him on all
\ points affecting his individual position"
dispatch from Lord Kitchener to the
war office, dated Pretoria, Feb. 2S, re-
ports a long interview with Gen. Botna,
a who showed very good feeling and SEEM
81 ed anxious for peace. He asked for in
4 formation, which he said he would sub
n nit to his government, the generals and
the people. If they agreed, he would visit
n the orange River Colony and get them to
agree Should all then hand in their arms
N 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.
No Independence for Beers.
81 declined to discuss such a point"
said Lord Kitchener, and said a modi-
fed form of independence would be most
dangerous and would lead to war in the
future Replying to Gen. Bothas in
quiries, informed him that when hostili-
II ties ceased the military would be replac-
ed by crown colony administration, con-
sisting of a nominated executive and an
elected assembly to advise him, followed
after a period by a representative gov
eminent The Beers would be licensed
to have rifles to protect themselves
against the natives, the Dutch and Eng
lsh languages were to have equal rights.
Kafirs would not have the franchise un-
til after representative government had
been granted, the Orange Free State laws
for Kaffirs would be considered good,
church property, public trusts and or
Dhan funds would not be touched, no
war tax would be imposed on farm
gs, assistance would be given to
repair the burned farms ana
to enable the farmers to start afresh and
coonists who had Joined the republic to
be disfranchised.
Gen. Botha generally seemed salts
fed with these conditions"
Miner Suggests Terms.
On March 8, Sir Alfred Miner cabled
Lord Kitchener suggesting the following
replies to Gen. Botha:
Il beg to inform you that on the cessa-
ton of hostiiities and the complete sur
render Of arms, ammunition, cannon and
munitions in the hands of the burghers
IN the field at government depots oP-
elsewhere, His Majesty's government is
prepared at once to grant amnesty in the
lransvaal and Orange River Colony for
all bona fde acts of war during the hos
nities, as well as to move the govern
ments of Cape Colony and Natal to SIM
liar action qualified by the 'disfranchise-
N the war. The military prisoners in ST.
Heena, Ceylon and elsewhere, on conf
pete surrender, shall be brought back to
lnelr country. Military law shall at once
We replaced by a civil administration, but
1t Is the desire of His Majestys govern
ment as soon as circumstances will per-
lnlI 10 establish a representative govern
hent. On the cessation of hostilities
mgh court, independent of the executive,
CT ~ te1,o 20 alvR ,f-fa IA
Jaws Land, church property, trusts and
Tpnan funds shall be respected. The
1uslsh and Dutch languages shall be
augnt in the public schools and allowed
IN the law courts.
10 Pay Legal Debts of State.
The legal debts of the state to the
4louht OF n,000,C coo shall be paid, even IL
OnVracted during hostilities to the eX-
mn i' creditor proves he has given value.
e government does not intend to eX-
@ s1u the franchise to Kaffirs in the Trans
oal ana Orange River Colony before
n! !lesentative government is granted"
ne conditions regarding assistance to
-' IaIihers, fire arms, etc, are the same
those in Lord Kitchener's replies to
sn botha. Sir Alfred Miner adds that
usrees to the above except as to the
nSIes Tor modification regarding British
pluJects in Cape Colony and Natal I'm the
~ army, who If they returned to
~9 Vse colonies, will be liable to be dealt
sn under the laws of those colonies
asseu TO meet circumstances arising in
He asked:
"nlle am willing TO concede much in
5s 70 strengthen Gen. Botha in induc-
NJ e ,ne people to submit, amnesty for
n, Ieoels is not, in my opinion, a point
M, his Majesty's government can Of
3ei.w W Goncede. think II would have n
S5,oI Sg,oiaD'e effect upon Cape Colony and
tor . 70 obtain peace by such a conces-
'ehener's Terms Too Easy.
ls,,. chamberlain. in reply dated
H. ~ o. DIRECTS Lord Kitchener to modi-
hen, terms on number OF points.
nr e'lly bord Kitchener reported 20 tho
ee' under date OF Pretoria, Mare
trn. ne had written Gen. Botha the
Nm, 'ne government was prepared 10
Wryt, lhese were the same as already
~ '4eept IN the following particulars.
A ANA, t'Fefnment cannot undertake any
am1,i'a REGARDING the debts of the tate
as-s bug is prepared ns an act Of
aa go aside a million pounds 10
49, W.. inhabitants for goods requisI-
ns ~, me republican F0yoruments.
NJ. Gums after adjustment exceed r..
lN'y are liable 10 roduotion pro