The sun., 1902-04-25
KRUGER IS NOT CONSULTED.
FIGHTING BOERS CONDUCTING
THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.
Amnesty for Rebels One Of the Chief OBJ
stscles TO an Agreement t-Enorts TO
Avoid a Direct statement Of Loss Of
Independence e-Holland's Participation

Special Cable Dsspaiehe, 10 TIE sun
LONDON, April 24.-The Pail Mol Gdsehe
publishes the following statement from
a well-nformed and trustworthy cores
pondent at The Hague. who declares that
he represents the views Of the Dutch Govern
mcnt in the matter OF the peace negotiations
between the British Government and the
Beers:
sThe Netherlands Government claims TO
be in full possession OF the views OF the
Boer delegates. inasmuch a. the peace
conferences wore the direct outcome OF the
visit TO England Of Dr. Kuyper. the Dutch
Premier In regard TO Mr.. Kruger. the
Netherlands Government holds that no
attention should be paid to his opinions.
II peace is made It should bc made on terms
settled by the Boer leaders in South Africa.
The terms may possibly be communicated
to Mr.. Krdger as q matter OF courtesy,
but for all purposes and for good or evil,
his fighting countrymen have thrown him
aside
the difficulty In regard to the amnesty
OF rebels 10 not appreciated from the proper
standpoint in England. So far A. the Beers
personally-that Ia. the Beers from the
Transvaal and Orange River Colony-ars
concerned. they are perfectly willing TO
sacrifice their brothers, and they realize
that as they themselves have to sacrifice
something, the rebels in the Cape Colony
ought to be in the same plight. The dh-
fculty, however, 10 this: The rebels. hAv-
ing nothing or at any rate very LITTLE, to
gain by coming In, will no doubt endesvor
TO continue the guerrilla warfare.
The Boer leaders fear 10. therefore,
that II. after they have arranged terms.
these desperadoes should descend on Eng
lish territory. the damage they will do might
be visited by the English Government on
the Boers themselves-that IL, that the
British Government. In abort, may either
seize the opportunity Of abroeatins some
Of the concessions 1t may have found II
advisable 70 make TO the late republics.
or at least insist that the republics shall
pay for any damage the rebels may have
inflicted. either to life or property.
Moreover, the number Of rebels IL much
greater than has commonly been supposed.
The banishment proclamation OF Sept. Is,
the Netherlands Government considers.
should be withdrawn. 1t may be advisable
to Danish . few persons. but TO ali intents
and purposes the British representa- tives
themselves fully realize that the terms Of
1T is quite possible. however, that no
such arrangement may be inserted in what
ever treaty or agreement is drawn up. as
the Beers would probably accept a private
intimation from one OF the English repre-
sentstives that at a suitable opportunity.
say tho coronation. his Majesty would.
as an act Of grace, withdraw the procla-
nation, the provisions Of which would
| i, thA spti ha Al
"The great difficulty in the way Of
peace lies in the form Of words used
in providing that the republics must
forfeit their Independence. and unless
this difriculty can be got over by the use OF
q different phrase or phrases, tho Neither.
lands Government Is not very hopeful
Of the termination Of the war at present
while some Of the Boer leaders are highly
educated and intelligent man, and realize
that their Independence must be forfeited
many OF their followers arc rough anc
ignorant, and these latter have had the
word Independence so dinned into thelr
ears since the Majuba fiasco. when many
ofthem were children. that they would nevel
consent TO forfeit It.
There should. hswever. be no great
difficulty in arranging this matter, II tn,
| akIto 70 lEaFt Oht w" OD-
fectionable words altogether, and affair
what would practically he the same end by
for example, entering into a treaty for th'
incorporation Of the two republics with
the British Empire. or some similar phrss'
which would give the lower class Boer Al
idea that they we're not being swallowe<
up
PREroRIA. April 7s.-Mr. Reitx. Stat
Secretary OF the late Transvaal Republic
accompanied by DR.. Jacobs. arrived hcr,
Last evening and left this morning for tn
north on . visit 70 Commandant Bsyer
70 consult With him regarding the com
msndos' vote on the peace proposals
PmrKsnAhrrBURo. Natal. April ~
Pr,nisr Hims stated to-day that the I'm
perial Government had asked Natal for III
views oono.rnins tho reosnt pesos nssotis
tions.