Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-03-24
Acting President schalkburgher Hurries
Under Flag of Truce,
SPECIAL TRAIN GETS SAFE CONDUCT
Accompanied by Secretary of State Of
the Transvaal. n
COMMANDMENTS MEYER AND KRUeH lt
Press Censor Permits only MeaEer
word from Consultation, but Lon
don Sees Clean of Hope
tn Negotiations.

PRETORIA, March 23.-Acting President
Schalkburger, F. w. Reitz, ex-secretary Of
state OF the Transvaal and Comma nda nts
Lucas, Meyer and Krugh, arrived here to-
day on a special train from Balmoral, fifty
miles east Of here. They reached Balmoral
under a flag of truce.
After a short stay here, they proceeded
for Orange River Colony.
Upon arriving here, Mr.. Schalkburgher
and party drove Immediately to Lord
Kitchener's headquarters, where he had
an Interview with the British general
The Beers sfterward proceeded to the
railroad station and entrained at O'Clock
for Kroonstadt. where they will 20 out
under a safe conduct.
For a week past Mr.. Schalkburgher and
his colleagues have been stationed at
Rhenoster kopje, north OF Balmoral, where
they have been closely pressed by British
columns.
British Boast of Almost n Capture,
British dispatch riders entered Balmoral
last Friday night and notified the British
of the approach of Mr.. Schalkburgher and
party.
1t is said the Boer position at Rhenoster
kopje had become almost untenable and
that Mr. Schalkburgher at one time mar
rowly escaped capture.
LONDON, March 23.-The news that the
wandering Boer government has entered the
British lines is regarded as having but one
meaning, namely, that another attempt Is
being made to negotiate peace. The fact
that the censor passed the news Of this
movement is accepted as confirmation OF
this opinion.
Nothing is actually known here OF the
intentions Of schalkburgher, Reitz, Meyer
and Krugh. 1t is possible they have only
sought permission to traverse the British
lines In order to consult with Mr.. Steyn
and the Boer generals. Dewet and Delarey.
News is Welcome to London.
But whatever their object. the news has
been welcomed in London as pointing to the
possibility of peace. Correspondence which
was seized short time when Mr.. Steyn
narrowly escaped capture, proved that he
and Mr.. Schalkbursher were anxious to con-
clude peace.
No extravagant hopes, however are be-
ing built on the outcome OF the movements
OF Mr.. Schalkburgher and his companions.
chiefly because 1t is feared that Delarey,
In the flush of his recent success, will re-
fuse to be party to any negotiations.
The War ONCE has informed a representa-
tive Of the Associated Press that It has
received no oflcial information either con-
frming or contradicting the news. Com
mandant Krugh is one of the secretaries
of the Boer government. He was formerly
the administrator OF Swaziland and has not
been prominent during the war.
Few OF the papers here comment on the
news from Pretoria. These take it for
granted that Mr.. Schalkburger and his COM
panions are ON mission of peace. and again
engage in a discussion of possible peace
A.
lures will have a successful outcome. The
presence OF Lucas Meyer is regarded as sig
nifcant. as he is an intimate friend OF
Louis Botha.
Comments on BOthR's Absence.
The Daily Chronicle. commenting on the
absence of Botha from the delegation, sug-
gests that he Is standing aside owing to
the failure OF his overtures OF a year ago
and considers that although the conditions
Lord Kitchener then offered to Botha had
been annulled it is highly probable tina,
peace may still be arranged on similar
lines, but that the Beers cannot expect
more lenient terms.
The Daily News remarks that a settle
ment would be possible II the Beers were
treated like civilized combatants. but mer
do not surrender Internationally just aftel
taking one Of the enemys generals and -four
of his guns"
Overtures May he from England.
BRUSSELS. March 24.-The Petit Bleu
referring to the arrival at Pretoria Of
schalkburger. Reitz and CommandantI
Meyer and Krogh. says it believes that Mr.
SchAlkburgher's move is In response to fresh
British overtures for peace. made out o.
gratitude for the release OF Genera
Methuen, and predicts that these overtureI
will lead to no result unless Boer inde'
pendenee is conceded.