The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-05-31
PEACE PRACTICALLY ASSURED
THE FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT DE-
PENDs ON CONVENIENCE OF
,555. BOER LEADERS.
the DELAY is ONLY TECHNICAL
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OFeCOM-
MONS SAYS EVERYTHING IS
SETTLED.

London, May Is. = The Associated
Press has every reason to believe That
peace in South Africa is practically s:s-
sured. How soon it will be announced
depends, apparently more upon the
convenience Of the Boer leaders than
upon the inclination of the British gov
eminent. The private and official ad-
vices received in London from
Africa all point to the same conclusion.
The delay is technical, and to end the
long war seems to be the desire of both
British and Boer leaders. The latter,
however, are unable to convince all
their followers of the wisdom of ac-
quiescing to the terms Of peace. In
formation as to what transpired at
yesterdays meeting Of the cabinet Is
closely guarded, but it is not likely that
the cabinet transactions were
OF Vital Importance.
The surmise of one well-informed per-
son places the SUM total of the delib-
erations of the cabinet ministers at a
decision regarding points Of the peace
agreement of entirely minor fmpor-
tancs. Another surmise is that the
cabinet has merely sem a rather mock
ultimatum to South Africa which car
be used by the Boer leaders in explana-
ton to their forces. Both these sur
misses probably contain an element OF
truth, but neither can in any way at
feet the widespread belief in the best
informed quarters that the end of the
war has come. In fact, these persons
who are best acquainted with the actu-
al details OF the present negotiations
only qualify the optimistic expression
Of opinion by guarded reservations
concerning the extent Of the personal
control of the Boer leaders over their
comrades.
Take Extreme Precautions.
Were the Beers a thoroughly disci-
plined force. dependent upon the action
of their general officers, peace would
probably be proclaimed now; but
-Botha, De Wet and the other generals
seem themselves unable to positively
guarantee the degree to which their
example will be followed. The dele
gates at Veeripgen, according to in
formation in possession Of the war Of
flee, are fairly evenly divided. Conse-
quently extreme precautions are exer-
cised both in LONDON and Pretoria to
prevent any premature action OF re-
port which might adversely influence
the burghers. The most pessimistic
forecast heard only admits that a few
isolated bands Of irreconcilables may
be left in the field. q
Says 1t ID All Settled.
A member Of the house of commons
who is in close touch with the govern
ment, said t. a representative of the
Associated Press that ne believed ev-
erything was settled and that the, Brit
ish terms would be found Unexpectedly
liberal. The British public is still quite
ignorant Of the course Of events in
South Africa and there are no demon
STATIONS on the London streets, al
though on all sides the question is
asked: "Is it peace?" On the other
hand, the stock exchange throughout
the day was a seething mass Of brokers
who eagerly bought South African
shares, while long after the closing OF
the exchange nearly a thousand brok-
ers crowded Throckmorton street and
did a frantic curb busiress on the
strength of the peace outlook.