The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-05-27
Earlier Reports Seem to Con-
 finn Such Runors
ENGLAND IS VERY ANXIOUS
On Account of Differences In Ministry 1t Is Necessary That Something Be Done at Once-Cabinet
 Meets Today.

London. May 26-Just before parliamene rose after midnight last night a rumor reached the lobbies that a hitch had oc- cured in the peace negotiations Noth- ing official concerning this rumor could be ascertalned, but the dispatch to the Associated Press from Pretoria in which 1t was said that the prevalence through out South Africa of the optimistic feel ing in regard to the peace negotiations was hardly based upon solid facts. may be regarded as an indication that such a hitch has occurred
 Little information from Pretoria has been able recently to pass the censor there.
 That the government yesterday fully anticipated speedy conclusion of peace is believed to be shown by the postpone ment from yesterday until Friday or later of the budget bill in the committee stage with the view, as was frankly admitted on the government side of the house of enabling the budget to be recast in the event that peace is secured.
 The tax on grain has proven so un- popular throughout the country and has had such an unexpected effect in reunit- ing the liberal party with most effective cry, that the government will welcome any excuse to get rid of 1t.
 Strong Reason for Action.
 Another strong reason for the desire to do away with this tax is the affect it has had in the colonies where it has been regarded as an opportunity to demand preferential treatment-a demand which will be strongly pressed at the coming conference of colonial premiers in Lon don, and which Is likely to cause the government considerable difficulty by em- phasizing sharply-defnea divergence of opinion in the cabinet. There the Chamberlain party is advocating "zoli- verein policy" and the retention of the grain tax, while the Balfour party advo- cates just the reverse. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, the chancellor of the exchequer. is said to be quite willing to surrender the tax on grain.
 The Daily News predicts that once peace is secured the present ministry will go to pieces in twelve months through the irreconciliable dissensions between the Salisbury and Chamberlain sections. In the meanwhile Lord Rose berry Is drawing the Liberals closer to- gether. He has consented to preside at a Liberal meeting to be held in London to protest against the governments edu- cational bill. This bill has also proved to be an unpopular measure: so much so that many of the governments support CTS are urging the government to mod fly it.
 Cabinet Meeting Today.
 London May 26-The Daily Mail this morning says the cabinet council to be held today will decide upon the points of detail mostly of financial nature which have been raised by the Boers in the peace negotiations. Great Britain's de- cision in the matter then will be com municated to the Vereningen conference by the delegates at Pretoria. says the paper, and being the best obtainable terms. they will almost certainly be ac- cepted The results should be announced officially either Thursday or Friday of this week. probably on Friday, the day upon which King Edwards birth is cele- brated. Peace Is quite certain. says the Daily Mail, and the delegates at Pre- toria are only engaged in endeavoring to g1ld the pill for the Vereningen confer ence to swallow.
 The Daily Mail says further:
 Lord Kitchener, although he is still full of energy is much aged in appear ance as a result of the severe and con- tinuous strain which he has undergone. The consensus of opinion is that the re- cent negotiations have proved Lord Kitchener to be great diplomatist as well as a great soldier
 Ut is difficult to appreciate the mag nitude of the difficulties Lord Kitchener has had to contend with, the Boer lead- CTS are all deeply impressed with his per- sonality and trust him implicitly. Ut Is understood that Lord Miner, (the British high commissioner in South Af- rica) has admitted that the ultimate credit for the accomplishment of the great task is due to Lord Kitchener"