The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-01-04
A MOVEMENT FOR PEACE
PROMINENT BURGHERS IN PRE-
TORIA AT HEAD OF IT.
Committee Formed and Addressed by
Lord Kttchener-FOIIy and Inhuman-
ity of Continuing Present Guerilla
Warefare Pointed -Burghers Not
to be Oppressed -Cronje's Brother
Promises Aid.

Promises Aid.
London, Jan. 4.-The censorship mas
lust permitted news of the following
peace tentatives to emanate from Pre-
toria
About the middle of December num-
ber of prominent burghers who had
submitted and were living in the Ere
toria district, formed a peace commit
tee. Mr.. Van Rensberg, former mem
ber Of the first volksraad of the Trans
vaal was elected president Of the COM
mittee which included other prominent
former members of the volksraad. The
committee resolved to attempt negotla-
tions and accordingly in response to
suggestion Lord Kitchener attended
meeting of the committee on December
21 and addressed the meeting.
He said he was glad to meet a CON-
mittee desirous of bringing the war to
a speedy conclusion. He proceeded to
point out the folly of a continuance or
guerilla warfare, since the British gov
ernment would never permit the re-es-
tablishment of the Boer government.
Mr.. Chamberlains statement in par
lament, Lord Kitchener contended,
clearly showed that there was no wish
to oppress the burghers.
Lord Kitchener urged that it was use
less to continue the present inhuman
struggle, pointing out that the powers
had refused Mr.. Kruger's requests for
intervention. The burghers, he said,
had fought good fight, but they had
been overpowered and there was no dis
honor in the leaders recognizing that
fact He reminded them that there
were hosts of Boer prisoners waiting to
be restored to their families.
Referring to his proclamations to the
country, Lord Kitchener said that un-
fortunately these had not been allowed
to reach the burghers and he trusted
that the committee would make known
the facts to the Beers In the field as he
desired to give them every chance to
surrender and wished to finish the war
by the most humane means possible.
He promised to give the committee no.
tice If compelled to abandon conciia-
tory for harsher meausers.
Going on the explain his recent proc
lamations confirming the statement
that those who had broken oafhs Of
neutrality would be treated in the same
way as the others, he told the commit
tee that all would be accommodated
with their families in protected laagers
along the line of railway.
No one, he promised, would be sent
out of the country, but all who had
fought fairly, including the leaders,
would receive the consideration due
their rank. He advised the formation
of local sub-committees to send out
agents to the Boer commanders, ex-
planning that they could communicate
through the central committee and the
military governor and could also come
to see him personally. if necess sary.
The committee. which included Cen
eral Cronje's brother, cordially thanked
Lord Kitchener and promised to print
the speech in Dutch and to circulate it
everywhere.
Since the meeting orders have been
issued against burning farm houses un-
less 1t should be proved that the actual
inha abitants had committed misdeeds
The first districts cleared under Lord
Kitchener's plan were Jagersfontein
and Fauresmith, whose inhabitants
were laagered at Fauresmith.