The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-06-03

broad smile on his face.
Long before the customary prayer.
the galleries of the House were packed.
Joseph H. Choate, the United States
ambassador; Henry White, the secre-
tary of the embassy; Lord Rothschild
and many members of the cabinet pa
tiently waited through the answering
of questions in the House for the mo-
mentous announcement. An unusually
large number of peers sat in their gall
lery. and behind the ladies, grim, aris-
tocratic women were closely packed.
Mr.. Chamberlain and Mr.. Balfour
both received great ovations as they
walked to their seats. The Hobbies and
waiting rooms were crowded with dis
appointed seekers for seats, among
whom were many Americans.
The period of waiting finally came to
an end. Amid breathless silence, brok-
en- a few seconds later by applause
such as the House of Commons sell
dom hears, Mr.. Balfour stood up and
announced the terms on which the war
in South Africa had been ended. The
reference to the Beers acknowledging
King Edward as their sovereign made
the hit of the day.
AS the lberality of the terms grew
palmer the cheers on the government
side of The House diminished while
the opposition's satisfaction was pro-
portionately increased.
The Irish Demonstration.
Through all this the irish members
sat impassive, though, earlier in the
afternoon, they had startled the House
by a demonstration, which at first
was thought to be in honor of peace,
but which, it was soon discovered, vas
caused by the temperance in the
House OF William Redmond, who has
just returned from the United States.
The tension was over and when MI
Balfour's statement was concluded
everyone seemed glad of the opportuni-
ty for a hearty laugh caused by the
government leaders humorous quash-
ing of the suggestion that the commons
adjourn in honor of peace.
Various objections to the peace terms
were expressed but they did not APP
pear to be very serious. The Irish
viewpoint was that the government has
given up practically everything and
that the regulations affecting the Cape
rebels will be done away with in con-
sequence. of the Kings amnesty pro-
clamation,
IreINmen V OF COlOn1AIS.
After he had concluded reading the
peace agreement Mr.. Balfour proceed
ed:
There are certain important points
not dealt with in the document l have
just read, and which was signed on
Saturday night Therefore it may be
convenient if I read a dispatch from
Lord Kitchener to the secretary of
state for war dated May 30, as fol-
lows:
q After handing the Boer delegates
a copy of the draft of the agreement.
l read them a statement and gave
Them a copy of it, as follows:
" His Majesty's government must
place on record that the treatment of
the Cape and NataH colonists, who
have been in rebellion, and who now
surrender will, if they return to their
colonies. be determined by the colonial
courts and in accordance with the laws
of the colonies, and any British sub
jects who have joined the enemy will
be liable to trial under the law of that
part of the British empire to which
they belong.
His Majesty's government are in
formed by the Cape government that
their views regarding the terms to be
granted to British subjects in Cape
Colony, now in the field, or who have
surrendered or been captured since
April -, 1901, are as follows:
To Disfranchise Rebels.
with regard to the rank and file.
they should all, after surrender and
giving up their arms, sign document,
before the resident magistrate of the
district in which they surrendered,
acknowledging themselves guilty of
high treason. and the punishment to be
accorded them. provided they are not
guilty of murder or acts contrary to
the usages of civilized warfare, shall
be that they are not entitled for life,
to be registered as voters or vote in
Iany parliamentary or provincial coun-
ell or municipal election.
with reference to justices of the
peace, field comets and all others who
hold official positions under the gov
eminent of Cape Colony, or who have
been occupying position of authority,
or who have held commands in the
rebel or burgher forces, they shall be
tried for high treason before the ordf-
nary courts of the country, or such
special courts as may hereafter be con-
stituted. their punishment to be left 20
the discretion of such court, with the
proviso that in no case shall the pen
atty of death be inflicted.
"'The Natal government are of the
opinion that rebels should be death
with according to the law of that col
ony,
''These arrangements" concluded Mr..
Ralfour. 1.-The government have APP
proved"
Good Words for Beers.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, the
Liberal leader, in behalf Of the opposi-
ton. said unbounded satisfaction would
be felt throughout the empire at the
conclusion of peace. They were unan-
imcus in admira ton of their late enc
mics. now their friends and fellow Gill
zens whose military qualities, tenacity
of purpose and self-sacrificing devotion
to liberty and country, had won them
the respect of the whole world. ard
foremost of all. the respect IF their OPP
ponents. Every member would offer
CONGRATULATIONS to the King, and to
the country on the thrice blessed res
toration of peace.
Mr.. Balfour having announced that
the government would take m early
opportunity of moving a vote of thanks
to Lord Kitchener and the forces in
South Africa. the members of the
House of Commons returned to their
ordinary avocations.
HEARD IN HOUSE OF PEERS.