Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-05
PEACE YET POSSIBLE
Reply OF the British to Neither
lands Does Not Close
Door.
But Peace Negotiations Must Be
Conducted at Scene OF
Hostilities.
Text of the Dutch Note Has Been
Given to the
Public.

Chicago, Feb. 5.-Montague White
representative of the Boer republics IN
America, commenting upon the unfa-
vorable reply of the British govern
ment to the Dutch note. said:
THE reply of Lord Lansdowne does
not close the door to peace negotia-
tons, but simply points out that they
should be concluded in South Africa
and not in Europe. 1t must, however,
be understood that as a condition pre-
cedent to any effective negotiations,
the Boer authorities in Europe and the
Boer leaders in the field must be
placed in communication with one an
other. President Steyn will not be a
party to settlement without the con-
sent of President Kruger. and vice
versa. The offer of the delegates to
there and then return, involving a de-
lay of at least three months, is con-
Yincing evidence that the Boer situa-
ton is much better and more hopeful
than the news from British sources
would lead one to believe.
with regard to the statement that
the plenipotentiaries have no letters of
credence later than March, 1900, this
does not in the least imply that their
powers are invalid, for they remain in
force until cancelled. They are in
constant communication with 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 foreign
intervention is wholly irrelevant to the
question. The Dutch government
would not, after the elapse of two
years and three months, have APP
preached the British government with
peace proposals unless the latter had
first signified its consent. This is a
well established principle in diplom-
acy. The action of the British govern
ment is not refusal. but, on the con-
trary, a very direct encouragement to
the friends of peace to persevere in
their efforts to bring about an equit-
able settlement. The situation is very
hopeful, and I reiterate what / have
said SO often, and what l convincedly
believe. that no country could use Its
moral influence in a more friendly and
effective way to bring about an end of
this terrible war than the United
States of America"
Referring to the resolution offered
in congress by Representative Cochran,
inviting President Kruger of the South
African republic to visit the United,
States as the guest Of the nation,
Peter Van Vlissingen, treasurer of tho
Chicago branch of the American
Transvaal league, said:
III the resolution is adopted 1t will
have powerful influence for good in
the peace negotiations now pending
Receiving President Kruger in his Of
fetal capacity would be notice to the
world that the United States does not
look upon paper annexations as final
while there is an effective force in the
field. To thus show our friendship
for the Beers would have great NOR
al influence in Great Britain, where
the masses are fooled into believing
that the sympathies of the people of
this country are with England in the
war. Shatter this belief and you re-
move the main support of Chamber
lain and his adherents. The PROPOSE
ton for an appropriation of $4,000 to
cover expenses is very necessary as
President Kruger is today poor
man"