The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-05-24
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS FAIL.

ties will be renewed by the Beers if
better terms are not granted. At the
first interview with the Boer leaders,
it is said that Lord Kitchener i'm
pressed upon them that Great Britain
would never grant independence to tllle
two republics. What the actual terms
offered to the Beers have been, nobody
in England pretends to know. Ac-
cording to DR.. Lcyds, however, the
terms offered by the British govern
ment to the Beers are said to be as fol-
lows:
81. A kind of self-government or
home rule.
80. Royal pardon for rebels on the
occasion of King Edwards coronation.
go Appointment of three Beers as
members of the new South African
Colonial Council.
! ~. Loan of f1O,OOOOOO for the re.
construction of the destroyed farms.
50. Revocation of the DEGREES con-
corning the confiscation of Boer prop.
critics.
sc. Return of war prisoners
1T is doubtful that such terms as
the above were offered Whether they
We're or not. it is now probable that
nothing less than absolute indepen-
dene will satisfy the Beers. General
Wolseley on his return from South
Africa said that "the Beers are show
ing every determination to fight to
the last" That they can hold out in
definitely is admitted by returned SOL
diers.
Though the war has not ceased
pending the negotiations. very little
news has come from South Africa dur
ing the past month. Kitchener con-
trolls the wires and any news that has
leaked out has come by mail. 4 cor
respondent of a London paper eludel
the censor and sent the following in
formation on April H.
con the 4th ult. General SHUTS de-
manded the surrender of O'ollicp. but
Colonel w. Shelton refused to enter
tain any terms whatever There were
5000 people to feed, and provisions
for only three weeks.
',Nhe garrison of SpringbokfOntein
made gallant fight, but had to SUI
render to overwhelming numbers. the
British casualties being four killed and
six wounded. 1t was reported that the
garrison ut Concordia surrendered
without firing shot. Colonel Shelton
ordered the Concordia Town Guard to
O'okiep, but they refused to go.
",The Beers destroyed miles Of rail-
way. burning the sleepers as they took
them up. They seized dynamite at
GarralSop, eight miles from O'oliep.
and destroyed the blockhouses by drop
ping charges on the roofs from the
kopjes above.
People from outlying places poured
into Port Nolloth. The inhabitants
greatly feared an attack on the fort,
but the dcfenses are perfect, and with
the assistance of II. NJ. s. Barracuda
the intention was to give the Beers a
warm reception.
'T4ater news of the surrender of
Springbokfontein shows that the gar
rson under Lieutenant Darlington
kept the Beers ut bay for twenty-four
hours, but they made rush on the
village, and afterwards rushed the
kopje. on the top of which the block
house was built, and demanded the
surrender. When the lieutenant re-
fused. he was greeted with charges of
dynamite.
"The Beers then crept up the hill,
making it quite impossible for our men
to fire on them, and began to place
dynamite underneath the blockhouse.
At the same time they sent n message
stating that if the officer did not sur
render he and his men would be blown
up. The lieutenant sent message
back to say that he would surrender
on condition that they did not harm
his men. This was agreed to. and the
men came out. They were all lodged
in prison. 1t is stated that Mr.. Stuart,
the resident magistrates clerk. Mr..
| Van Coernden's son. and two others
We're killed by charges of dynamite
thrown en- the top of Il blocllhouse
from kopie"
| 1t is safe to assume that if the Brit
ish had gained a victory of any impor-
tance during the peace negotiations
the world would have heard Of it
through Lord Kitchener. Any defeat
he may have met with has been kept
secret.
1t is quite certain that the British
government is heartily tired Of the
war. The king and people Of Great
Britain desire peace. but the govern
ment hates to make the necessary con-
cessions to THE Beers. If it does not d.
SO Immediately the war may he pro-
longcd for years. and the heavily
taxed subjects of Edward will cry
out vehemently against its continu-
ance. Lord Salisbury. Joseph Cham
berlain and other British, iing cs re-
sponsible for the South African blum
der will find it difficult matter to
| n1ncotn thp Dutch farmers whose