The Delta independent., 1902-06-13

The following letter descriptive Of
the Boer delegates-their appearance
mode of life, and views on peace-hAs
come from q special correspondent, In
Pretoria:
As a matter Of fact. from nrst to
last. while Schalk Burger. the vice
president. and the rest Of the Trans
vaAl government. with the exception
OF Reitz. were in favor Of peace ON any
or no terms. and Louis Botha shared
their views. Steyn. De Wet and De
larey were for demanding impossible
conditions. OF that. however. anon.
The frst protocol set out: That
whereas Great Britain was responsible
etc. they were willing TO sue for peace
on the understanding that their rights
should be restored to them at the ex.
piration Of . fixed period. etc. All that
was brushed aside and the delegates
after = while. with some disputation
among themselves. settled down to
draft less Objectionable terms. But
Brcr Boer 10 quaint compound. sus.
pacious. and slow to move in any ap-
proved common sense direction. Like
nearly all primitive peoples. he has no
fear OF askins too much. ! "a con-
slant dread Of seeking too little. He
goes on the principle that arrange
meuts and concessions are the out.
come OF entirely low. selnsh motives
on The part OF the other side.
The delegates evincsd littl, surplsse
durtqg their railway journey at the
evtdShces Of the resumption OF indus
trial pursuits in all directiona. ~ if
there was neither var nor unrest In.
The country. In Conversation they b.
trAyed NO special interest upon any
topic except In the matter OF politics.
home and foreign. Ofacers and civili.
ans who In Kindness tried TO engage
them in chat found II dull work and
gave up the attempt. On the railway
journeys they read little. passing the
time for the most part In smoking.
talking to each other. and drinking.
: Poor Mr.. steyn vas more down on
his luck than any Of the others on the
way 70 Pretoria He was nervous and
out Of sorts. and ~ he stepped out
OF the train his hat fell on more than
once. But his eyesight In very bad
worse than thought II. There 10
something more seriously wrong than
An ordinary cold and Inflammation. A
local medical man was called In and
10 prescribing for him. Within = few
minutes OF their arrival each party
was conveyed to . temporary resi-.
dence.
Sentries were placed at the gate.
ways Of their abode. The soldiers in
question were drawn from the escort
or guard OF honor. II was conceded
that the Boers could see whomsoever
they wished. or go where they willed.
In company Of an onicer. The only
understanding was tha. the delegates.
unless by express consent. should not
diacuss politics or the war with their
visitors. Scores Of female relatives
and few Of the sterner sex could be
seen walking about daily In the>gArden
or lOunging upon the verandas and
balconies chatting with the Boer lead.
ers. Delarey had visits from his
dauxhter, who resides with her hus-
band in Pretoria. as well as from old
burgher friends. Doubt and suspicion
,clouded the Boer generals mind As
Shey did those Of his colleagues, de-
stroying frankness and easy inter
course.
And yet Delarey and the others
we're anxious to know what the true
situation Of affairs was. what chance
there was for assistance from abroad.
and how much the English would con.