The Delta independent., 1902-06-13

foreigners. who were mostly Holland
ers. Brer Boer. left to himself. read
lily strikes up fast and lifelong friend
ships with European.
To give a succinct account of the
conduct Of the negotiations is difficult
but not impossible The customary
embargo was laid upon our cabling
news. Even letters. mark you. are
not yet out of the censor's list. and AZ
for the claim of the press to be in
formed OF all matters of public i'm
portance that is an extravagant dream.
The statement of the Boer case and
claims was reduced to writing more
than once. Constant communication
was maintained as to the course Of
proceedings between Pretoria and Lon
don. Finally. when the proposals
were drafted into something like con-
ditions that could really be enter
tanned. the text was wired to the Co
lonial Secretary. Thereafter came
back In answer on Thursday. think.
the British Governments irreducible
minimum. Lord Miner had several
days previously received 4 very long
message in cipher. setting out the
home authorities view and instruc-
tons. The negotiations were nearly
broken OF more than once. but the
departing Beers delayed departing.
and started to talk matters over afresh
with each other.
There vas . second meeting on
Thursday snd one more on Friday
(yestsrday), the date OF their actual re
turn 20 the commanders. Nothing II
ever lost to. Boer for want OF ask
ing. In the beginning Of the palaver
the delegates opened their mouths"
monstrous wide. There was declara-
ton that England had unjustly pro
voked and made war upon the repub
lies: that the struggle was an unequal
one. and they Wish I'd for peace. They
some time. but to stop further efusion
of blood they would cease hostilities
provided that within 4 year civil gov
eminent was restored to the two
states. They stipulated that. pending
that and the withdrawal OF the troops.
they should be represented by an &C
tual majority of at least four out Of
seven upon any administrative council
formed to conduct the government Of
the country. that their flags should be
retained. and At the end OF I'VE years
the British forces should be entirely
withdrawn from the Transvaal and
Orange Free States. and these two
countries should be recognized rs In
dependent republics.
In that ''purgatory" period there
should be no disfranchisement of
eurghers. and the Boer ofncials should
have control Of the reins OF govern
ment: and. further. they would agree
to amend the franchise law. rs for
meriy asked for by England. and
would allow British subjects to vote.
and also permit the use OF the two
languages. There was to be general
amnesty for all who had borne arms.
including Cape rebels. 1t was tOler-
antly pointed out by Lord Kitchener
that such demands were unreasonable.
intolerable, impossible. The process
of cutting down seemed wcarily slow.
hut bit by bit they numbered from
stage to stage. as II wns seen that
otherwise they would have to 90 back
To their commanders without any
message. Ultimately the matter was
put In q manner from which there was
no trimming possible by the British
Government setting forth the terms
they would concede and not 90 beyond.
These were substantially the same
conditions ~ were offered over one
year ago to Louis Botha and the com.
mandoes at Middleburg.