Daily Kennebec journal., 1902-02-05
ENGLAND DECLINES
To Permit Any Intervention in
the Boer War.
Sends Courteousbut Decided Negative
to Hollands Offer.
Text of the Dutch Note and the

London, Feb. 4.-The text of the re-
ply of the British foreign secretary,
Lord Lansdowne, to the communica-
ton of DR.. Kuyper, the premier of The
Netherlands, on the subject of peace in
South Africa, is as follows:
1.-The Foreign Office, Jan. 20.
'Sir-You were good enough to lay
before me, Jan. 25,. a communication
frcm The Netherlands government in
which it was proposed that. with the
object of bringing the war to an end,
His Majesty's government might grant
q safe conduct to the Boer delegates
now in Holland, for the purpose of en-
abling them to confer with the Boer
leaders in South Africa. 1t is suggest
ed that after a conference, the dele
gates might return to Europe with
power to conclude a treaty of peace
with this country and The Netherlands
government and intimate that, in this
event, they might, at later stage, be
instrumental in placing the Boer pleni-
potentiaries in relation with plenipo-
tentiaries who might be appointed by
His Majesty's government. The Meth
erlands government intimate that If
this project commends itself to His
Majesty's government they will inquire
Of the delegates whether they are pre-
pared to make the suggested visit to
South Africa.
1T may, therefore. be inferred that
the communication received was made
IN the responsibility of The Neither
lands government alone and without
authority from the Boer delegates or
leaders. His Majestys government
have given their best consideration and
whilst entirely appreciative of the mo-
tives of humanity which led The Meth
erlands government to make this pro-
posal, they feel they must adhere to
the position adopted and publicly an
nOunced by them some months after
the commencement 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 Beers delegates them
selves desire to lay a request for safe
conduct before His Majesty's govern
ment there is no reason why they
should not do so, but His Majesty's
government, obviously, are not in po-
sition to express an opinion on any such
application until they have received it
and are aware Of the precise nature and
grounds whereon the request is made.
may, therefore. point out that it is
not at present clear to His Majesty's
government that the delegates retain
any influence over the representatives
Of the Beers in South Africa or have
any voice in their councils. They are
stated by The Netherlands government
to have no such letters of credence or
instruction Of a later date than March,
1900. His Majesty's government, on the
other hand understood that all the pow
ers of government, including those of
negotiations, were now completely vest
ed in Mr.. Steyn. for the Beers of the
Orange River Colony and Mr.. Schalk-
Burger for those of the Transvaal. If
this is go, it is evident that the quick
est and most satisfactory means of ar
ranging axsettlement would be by di-
rect communication between the lead
ers of Boer forces in South Africa and
the commander-in-ch chief of His Ma
jesty's forces. who has already been in
trusted to forward Immediately any Of
fers he may receive, for the considera-
ton of Ills Majesty's government.
I'm these circumstances, His Ma
jestys government have decided that
if the Boer leaders should desire to en-
ter into negotiations for the purpose of
bringing war to an 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 oc-
cupy time in visiting South Africa. in
consulting with Boer leaders in the
field and in returning to Europe, fol
the purpose of making known the re-
suits of their errand. a period Of nj
least three months would elapse. dur.
ing which hostilittes would be prolong-