The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-24
There Appears to Be Little
Doubt of 1t in London.
A Public Announcement is Ex-
pected at Any Time.
DELAY is TECHNICAL.
The Desire is to Leave no
Chance For a Mishap.
British Are Willing to Grant
Almost ANY Terms.

London, May 24-The Associated
Press has every reason to believe that
peace in South Africa is practically Sc
cured. How soon it win be announced
depends, apparently, more upon the con-
venienee of the Boer leaders than upon
the inclination of the British govern
ment. The private and official advices
received in London from South Africa
all point to the same conclusion. The
delay is technical and to end the long
war seems to be the desire of both
British and Boer leaders The latter
however, are unable to convince all their
followers of the wisdom of acQulesclng
in the terms of peace.
Information as to what transpired at
the meeting of the cabinet Is closely
guarded, but it is not likely that the
cabinet transactions were of vital i'm
port. The surnise of one well informed
person places the sum total of the de-
hberations of the cabinet ministers at
decision regarding points of the peace
agreement of entirely minor Importance
Another surmise is that the cabinet has
merely sent a rather mock ultlmatum
to South Africa, which can be used by
the Boer. leaders in explanation to their
forces. These surmiSeS probably con-
tain an element Of truth, but neither can
in any way affect the widespread be-
lief in the best informed quarters that
the end of the war has come. In fact,
those persons who are best acquainted
with the actual details of the present
negotiations only qualify this optimistic
expression of opinion by guarded res
ervations concerning the extent of the
personal control of the BOer leaders over
their commands. Were the Beers a
thoroughly disciplined force, dependent
upon the action of their general officers,
peace would probably be proclaimed to-
night: but Botha, DeWet and the other
generals seem themselves unable to pos
itively guarantee the degree to which
their example viii be followed.
The delegates at Vereniging, according
to information in possession of the war
office, are fairly evenly divided. Conse-
quently extreme precautions are exer-
cised both in London and Pretoria to
prevent any premature action or re-
port which might adversely influence
the burghers
The most pessimistic forecast heard
only admits that a few isolated bands
Of irreconcilableS may be left in the
field. A member of the house of COM
mons who is in close touch with the
government, said to representative
of the Associated Press that he believed
that everything was settled and the
British terms would be found unexpect-
eddy liberal. The British public is still
quite ignorant of the course of events
in South Africa and there are no dem
onstrat tons on the London streets al
though on all sides the question asked:
rs it peace?" On the other hand the
stock exchange throughout the day was
South African shares, while long after
closing of the exchange nearly a thou
sand brokers crowded Throgmorton
street and did a frantic curb business
on the strength of the peace outlook.
The appearance of Mr.. Broderick, the
secretary of state for war at the vol
unteer service dinner was watched
eagerly in the hope of gaining an ink
ling Of the governments private frame
of mind. But Mr. Broderick's listeners
had to be cOntented with one brief and
adroitly turned reference to the present
situation. Responding to the toast,
THE imperial forces,' the war secre-
tary said:
Il would go beyond my duty should I
enter into details ofthe con munications
which are now passing and which pre-
cede as we all hope the surrender of
the Beers
Mr.. Broderick then proceeded to re-
iterate the oft declared intention Of
the government not to be drawn into
any compromise which would further
jeopardize peace in South Africa.