New-York tribune., 1902-04-12
FIRST STEP FOR PEACE.
NEGOTIATIONS NAY. HOW
EVER. BE PROTRAC1ED.
MINISTER'S DECLARE THAT HOSllLl-
TIES CONTINUE-THE DANISH
TREATY
Copyright: 1902: BY The Tribune AssoeIation.'

Copyright 1862: BY The Tribune AsSocatlon)
Especial to The Tribune by French Cable
London. April 1.-THE ministers evaded ques-
tions relating to the Boer conference yesterday
hut emphasized the fact that military operations
had not been suspended. No official explanation
has been made in regard to a secret under
standing between Lord Kitchener and General
scha1khurger upon which the Boer leaders asked
and received a safe conduct and facilities Tor
reaching their companions in arms. If this did
not exclude a Boer claim for independence and
separate nationality Lord Kitchener was less
businesslike than usual
A Cabinet council has been hastily summoned
TO meet to-day and this fact, coupled with 'he
return of the King to town some days before ne
was expected. is regarded as showing that the
government is in receipt of some important
communication from Lord Kitchener There rs
no actual news yet from the Boer chlels' VINO
are still in conference at hierksdorp' pu' 'he
immersion prevails that Lord Kitchener has
addressed certain queries to the BRUSH HoFeih-
nent as to the terms which England would be
willing to accord and that the matter VIII "e
considered by the Cabinet to-day
The nreyailing opinion among members or
Parliament is that a long step has been taken III
the direction Of peace, but that considerapie uHhe
NAV be required for reaching the goal Inc
Kings sudden change OF plans ana MS le'uiii
to London tend to confirm the view that pro-
,osals Of neace have been roughly outlined, and
that the ministers desire to consult with MIN.
The Boer leaders in Holland l am convinced
are expecting peace, and. While they are au
yocatinq war to the bitter end. aggressive talk
is their natural reply to the Ministerial assu'
ance that there is no arfnisuce anu ~ "
campaign is going on,
Comma ndant Elofs family would not nave
returned to South Africa unless there had been
n ,,rosnect of early peace, and there are many
other indications that the days of Boer exile
are numbered The ENJOYS are evidently run
ming short of money and are eager TO return
They ridicule the idea that peace can pe naue
without their help
Iord Kitchener has probably enabled General
scha1kburger to use British wire In comrnuhi-
eating with Mr.. KRUGER. The terms OF peace
forced upon the Boer leaders will represent
without doubt, the wishes of the chiet ieaoefS III
South Africa and in Europe.
..Tna Manchester Guardian comments with
little intelligence upon the action of the Danish
Iandsthing in hanging up the treaty for the
sale Of the islands until vote can be taken.
It commends this decision on the ground that
tho subiacts of free government are not chat
teIs to be transferred without their consent
from one owner to another.
The truth is that the anti-sale faction Is
e,,i,tv of gross inconsistency in clamoring for
nopular vote before the transfer of the territory
and then reporting in favor of a vote by the
nronertv owners in which the mass OF the
Kings island subjects can have no part
Nothing in reality, has been settled by the
tbree reports presented to the Landsthing. The
lower house will never join the Landsthing IN
ordering a property owners election. and after
g.. deadlock between the two chambers ratifca-
ton followed by a popular vote will be the
natural compromise.
The real leader of the anti-sale movement has
hoo, Princess Marie d'Orleans. who has been
actively supported by the Empress Dowager of
Russia-a fantastic coalition of royaiist France
and autocratic Russia for preventing the re-
moval of possible source of trouble between
Germany and the United States
Edinburgh University paid exceptional honor
TO two American educators in comforting degrees
ON President Schurman and Professor James.
l. n. F.