The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-04
Offers of The Netherlands Gov
ernment to England
Looking to Furtherancs of Peace
Negotiations, Rejected.
MUST BE NO MEDDLING
John Bull Will Have No Inter-
ference by Other Nations.
BOer Leaders Can Deal With
Kitchener in Africa.

London, Feb. 4-The British govern
ment replied to DR.. Kuyper, the Dutch
premier, that if the Beers in the field
desire to negotiate for peace, negotia-
tions can be entered into, but only in
South Africa. The British government
adheres to its intention to not accept
the Intervention of any foreign power.
The text of the reply of Lord Lans-
downe, the British foreign secretary, to
the communication of DR.. Kuyper, the
premier of The Netherlands, is as fol-
lows:
The Foreign Office Jan. 29.
Sir-You were good enough to lay be-
fore me, January Z5, a communication
from The Netherlands government in
which 1T was proposed that with the op-
ject of bringing the war to an end, his
majesty's government might grant a
safe conduct to the Boer delegates now
in Holland for the purpose of enabling
them to confer with the BOer leaders in
South Africa. 1t is suggested that after
a conference the delegates might return
to Europe with power to conclude
treaty of peace with this country, and
The Netherlands government intimate
that in this event they might, at a later
stage, be instrumental in placing the
Boer plenipotentiarieS in relation with
plenipotentiarieS who might be ap-
pointed by his majeSty'S government
The Netherlands government intimate
that If this project commends itself TO
5
quire of the delegates whether they are
prepared to make the suggested visit to
South Africa.
TT may, therefore, be inferred that
the communication received was made
on the responsibility of The Neither
lands government and without authori-
ty from the Boer delegates, or leaders.
His majesty'S government have given
it their best consideration and whilst
entirely appreciat tive of the motives of
humanity which led The Netherlands
government to make this proposal, they
feel they must adhere to the position
adopted and publicly announced by
them some months after the commence
ment of hostilities by the Beers, that
it is not their intention to accept the
Intervention of any foreign power in
the South African war.
..Should the Boer delegates themselves
desire to lay a request for a safe con-
duct before his najesty's government,
there is reason why they should not
do SO. But his majesty's government,
obviously, are not in a position to ex-
press an opinion any such applica-
ton until they have received it and are
aware of the precise nature or grounds,
Whereon the application Is made. L may
therefore point out that it is not at
present clear to his majesty's govern
ment that the delegates retain influence
over the representatives of the Beers IN
South Africa, or have any voice in their
councils They are stated by the Meth
erlandS' government to have no such
letters of credence, or instruction of a
later date than March, 1900. HIS InaJeS-
tvs government on the other hand, un-
derstand that all the powers of govern
ment, including these of negotiation,
were now completely vested in Mr.
Steyn for the Beers of the Orange River
colony, and Mr.. Schalkburger for those
of the TransVaa1 If this is so, it is evil
dent that the quickest and most salts
factory means of arranging settlement
would be by direct communication be
tween the leaders of the Boer forces in
South Africa and the commander-in-
chief of his majestys forces who has al
ready been instructed to forward imme-
diately any offers he may receive, for
the consideration of his majestys gov
ernment.
I'm these circumstances his majestys
have decided that if the
Boer leaders should desire to enter on
for the purpose of bring
ing the war to end, those negotia-
tions must take place. not in Europe,
but in South Africa.
TT should moreover, be borne in
mind that if the Boer leaders are to
occupy time in visiting South Africa, in
consulting with Boer leaders in the field
and in returning to Europe for the pur-
pose of making known the results of
their errand, period of at least three
months would elapse, during which hos
tilities would be prolonged and much
human suffering, perhaps, needlessly
be occasioned. 1 am, etc,
(Signed) ''LANSDOWNE"