Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1902-09-11
CHAMBERLAIN Is SURPRISED
The Number of Proposals Of Settle "
ment Between Beers and Eng
lish Very Large.
Details of the Recent Conference Be
+ tween the Secretary and the
Boer Generals.
Complete Amnesty to the..Rebeis, Chief
Among the Demands that Have
Been Made.

London, Sept. IA parliamentary
paper, issued during the day, gives q
full report Of the recent conference be-
tween the colonial secretary, Joseph
Chamberlain, and the Boer generals.
Botha, Dewet and Delarey. Prior to
agreeing to the interview with the
Beers, asked for Aug. 20, the colonial
secretary requested a list Of the sub
jects which it was desired to discuss
and the generals forwarded a list OF
subjects, including the following:
Complete amnesty to the rebels.
"A yearly grant to all Boer widows
and orphans and manned burghers.
Equal rights for the English and
Dutch languages in the schools and
courts.
That equal rights with the British be
conceded to burghers complying to the
terms of surrender, including the
right to return to South Africa
The immediate release of all pris-
| oners OF war.
The reinstatement of the officials of
the late South African republics or
compensation for their loss of Office.
Compensation for all loss occasioned
by the British troops py the use. remov-
| al, burning or destruction by other
| means of all private property.
The reinstatement of the burghers in
the ownership of their farms confiscat-
| ed or sold under the proclamation of
Aug. 7, 1901. s
! Compensation for the use of the
| properties of burghers taken by the
| British authorities.
| Payment of the lawful obligations of
the late South African republics, in
Guiding those incurred during the war.
The recision of the decision to add a
portion of the Transvaal to Natal.
Granting an extension of time for
the payment of all debts due by the
burghers to the late governments of
the South African republics.
Mr.. Chamberlain, in replying, ex-
pressed great surprise at the number
and character of the proposals, point
ing out that the conditions agreed on
at Vereeninging were duly accepted
by the burghers and the British gov
| ernment and that they could not be re-
opened, nor could proposals rejected
at that time be again discussed. II
the Interpretation of the agreement
was open to question his majesty's
government would endeavor to remove
all doubts.
Details of the Conference.
At the opening of the conference the
Boer generals disclaimed any desire to
alter the terms of surrender in any way
On the subject OF amnesty to rebels
General Botha expressed disappoint-
ment that after the promise given by
Lord Kitchener that the rebels had
not been granted amnesty at the time
of King Edwards coronation, in reply
to which MIR. Chamberlain promised
that the imperial government would
not hinder any generous intentions of
the governments of Natal and Cape
Colony in regard to rebels.
+ : to the return of burghers to South
| the colonial secretary declared
| the governments intention to
| the right to prevent the return
| loyal persons who had not frank
~ accepted the terms OF peace, in
stancing former State Secretary Reitz
OF the Transvaal as case in point.
and saying that Mr.. Reitz was using
language on the Continent inconsistent
with the declaration he had signed at
| SI0GuluSluS.
Mr.. Chamberlain informed the gen
erals that there was no truth in the
report that the government intended
to sell farms belonging to burghers.
On the subject of martial law Mr..
Chamberlain said it would not be con-
tinued much longer.
| The colonial secretary refused to
recognize as burghers foreigners who
had been naturaliZed during or, just be.
fore the war, saying they had been
| bribed by the resolution Of the volks-
raad giving them burghers' rights as a
reward for taking part in a conflict in
which they were not concerned
General Botha concluded with an ap.
peal for the widows and orphans and
said he considered an appropriation of
! $4,000 900 was inadequate.
| Replying to this Mr.. Chamberlain
compared Great Britain's treatment of
| the Beers with the treatment of the
South by the North after the Civil war
in America. sa .
f. Mr.. Chamberlain concluded with
saying that the government would be
glad of the cooperation of men like
the generals, who had loyalty accepted
the new situation. As they wanted
/ South Africa to be a happy abiding
! place for all he felt sure that If the
burghars met the British half way
/ they would find them quite as good
! friends in the future as they had been
loyal enemies in the past.