New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-02-26
PREMATURE PEACE TALK.
MORE RUMORs IN LONDON THAT LACK
CONFIRMATION.
rRrTrst5. COMMENT ON PRINCE HENRY
VIsIT-wHITEWASH FOR WHIT
AKER WRIGHT.

fcopzr4rht: 1902: BY The Tribune Asscciation)
my CABLE TO THE TR1BuNE.l
London. Feb. &c. l a m.-Persistent rumors
that negotiations have been reopened between
General Botha and Lord Miner have not been
confirmed with authority and are probably
premature. One report is clearly inaccurat tie
Botha will not seek terms for himself alone, but
for all the Beers remaining in the field. This
was the object Of the previous negotiations. and
General Botha has shown himself too honorable
antagonist 70 make terms which will not in
clude De Wet and his other comrades in arms.
The Radical opponents of Mr.. Chamberlain
anxious to prove that he has rendered it impos
sible for the fighting Beers TO sue for peace
under the conditions OF the proclamation of
Punishment which came into force on September
10: they asserting that neither Botha
nor Steyn remain in South Africa after
peace is negotiated. and. consequently. that
they will countersign their own DEGREES of ban
ishment if they arrange a basis Of surrender.
Some Of Mr.. Chamherlain's friends take direct
issue with them on this point; they assert that
the proclamation of September Is increases Lord
Miners leverage. since he will have a conces-
sion to make. That concession will be the proc
lamation itself; it can be waived and peace ne
gotiated a basis of general amnesty with
temporary grants for enabling the burghers to
make fresh start in farming It is doubtful If
these friends really represent the Secretary for
the Colonies. who has apparently never swerved
from the conviction that a permanent peace
must be fought out and conquered to the last
ditch and that treason must be made odious.
His denial Of any knowledge of the alleged nego-
uations was most emphatic yesterday.
There is little direct comment in the English
press on Prince Henry's American adventures.
Such appears is good natured chaff at the
pense Of democratic simplicity in the presence
Of royalty, and the enterprise Of newspapers in
printing pages about a quiet little international
affair. Nearly all tho London journals have
special accounts Of the Princes reception. and
stress is laid upon the incongruous elements
such familiar greetings from the crowds. the
extraordinary police precautions. the guests
of slang and the lavish preparations for the
millionaires luncheon. There is no disposition
to revive the unseemly discussion over the rela-
tions OF England and other European powers TO
the United States in the Spanish
The impending departure Of General Rumble
from South Africa will leave LORD Methuen as
the only survivor in the field of the original
muster of generals sent out from England as
corps commanders and he has commanded since
the relief Of Kimberley only small bodies of
mounted troops. Lord Methuen will have full
thing through. General Rumble has not met
with any reverse. vet has not improved his repu-
tation by any brilliant achievement. The Boer
has been a lottery filed with blanks for the
British generals. Roberts French and Hunter
the only prize winners. and the com
mander-in-chief has lost prestige since his re-
turn. because he has not fulfilled the expecta-
ton that he would institute thoroughgoing re-
forms in the British army.
No further revelations made the in
quirv yesterday into the affairs of the London
and Globe group. The proceedings were almost
entirely limited TO attempt TO whitewash
Whitaker Wright by reading a letter written by
the late Lord Dufferin expressing appreciation
Of his financial ability and devotion TO the inter
ests of the shareholders. The letter was dated
January, 1901" and penned at a time
when the writer did not know much of Whit
aker Wright's methods Of conducting the affairs
of the company. l. y. F.