The age-herald., 1902-02-05
Lord LaRSdOWRe Writes Polite NOteSaying Advances Must
 Come from the BOeTs
THINKS THE DELEGATES
 ARE WITHOUT AUTHORITY
Montague White Says the Refusal Does Not Necessarily Close the Doors for Peace, But Points
 Out Another Way.

London. February 1.-The British gov- ernment replied to M. Schuyper, the Dutch premier, that if the Boers in the field desire to negotiate for peace, nego- tiations can be entered into; but. only In South Africa.
 The British government adheres to its Intention not to 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 follows;
 "The Foreign Office, Jan. %
 '.Sr-You were good enough to lay be- lore me, January 25, communication from the Netherlands government, in which it was proposed that with the ob- feet of bringing the war to an end, ms majesty's government might grant safe conduct to the Boer delegates now in Holland. for the purpose of enabling them to confer with the Boer leaders in South Africa.
 Delegates Might Return.
 "It is suggested, that, after confer ence, the delegates might return to Flu rope with power to conclude treaty or peace with this country, and the Neither lands government intimate that, Tn this event. they might, at later stage be Instrumental in placing the Boer plenipo- tentaries in relation with plenipotentlarles who might be appointed by his majestys government His majeStyS government have given it their best consideration and whilst entirely appreciative of the motives of humanity which led the Meth erlands government to make this propo- sal they feel they must adhere to the position adopted and publicly announced by them some months after the com mencement of the hostiities by the Boers 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 play request for sale con duct before his majesty's government there IS no reason why they should not do so.
 Position Not Clear.
 s.I may. therefore. point out that 1t is not at present clear to his majesty's government that the delegates retain any influence over the representatives of the Boers in South Africa, or have any voice in their councils. His majesty's govern ment on the other hand, understands that all the powers of government in cluding those of negotiation, were now completely vested in MT. Steyn, for the Boers of the Orange River colony and MT Schalk- Burger, for those of the .rransvaal. If this is so, it is evident that the quickest and most satisfactorily means of arranging a settlement would be by direct communication between the leaders of the Boer forces in South Af- rica and the commander-in-chief of his majestys forces, who has already been instructed to forward immediately any offers he may receive. His majesty's government has decided that if the Boer leaders should desire to enter into nego- tiations for the purpose of bringing the war to an end. these negotiations for the purpose of bringing the war to end, these negotiations must take place, not in Flu rope, s.lt in South Africa. Otherwise hos tilties would be prolonged and much human suffering, perhaps, needlessly oc- casioned.
 "I have, etc.
 (Sgned) "LANSDOWNE."
 Does Not Prevent Peace.
 Chicago, February 4.-Montague White, representative of the Boers in the United States, commenting on the unfavorable action of the British government said: '"rhe reply of Lord Lansdowne does not close the door to peace negotiations, but simply points out that these should be concluded in South Africa, and not in Europe. It must however, be under stood that as q condition precedent to any effective negotiations the British au- thorites in Europe and the Boer leaders in the field must be placed in communi- cation with one another President Steyn will not be party to a settlement with out the consent of President Kruger, and vice versa. The offer of the delegates to proceed to South Africa to confer there -,1 a least three months, is convincing evidence that the Boer situation is much better and more hopeful than the news from British sources would lead one to believe.
 Powers Arc Not Invalid.
 with regard to the statement that the pIenipotentiaries have no letters of cred ence later than March, 1900 this does not in .he least imply that their powers are invalid for these remain in force until cancelled. They are in constant communi- cation with the leaders in the field-that is as constant as the means Of locomotIon will permit for the mails and cable are entirely in British control. The refusal of the British government to accept for eign intervention is wholly irrelevant to the question. The Dutch government would not, after the lapse of two years and three months, have approached the British government with peace proposals unless the latter had first signified its consent This is a well-established prin- cire in diplomacy. The action of the British government is not a real refusal, but on the contrary, a very indirect en- couragement to the friends of peace to persevere in their efforts to bring about an equitable settlement. The situation Is very hopeful, and reiterate what have said 50 often and what I convincedly be- teved that no country could use its moral Influence in a more friendly and effective way to bring about an end of this terrible Ear than the United States of America"
 Efforts May Be Renewed.
 The Hague. February 4.-Opionions here