Evening star., 1902-02-04
British Government Refuses Media
ton of the Netherlands.
WILL TREAT WITH BOERS DIRECT
Prefers to Have Proposals Come
F rom Men in Field.
READY TO SEE DELEGATES

LONDON, February 4-The British gov
ernment replied to DIR. Kuyper, the Dutch
premier, that If the Beers in the field de-
sire to negotiate for peace negotiations can
be entered into; but only in South Africa.
The British government adheres to its in
tention not to Lccept the Intervention of
any foreign power.
The text of the reply of Lord Lansdowne,
the British foreign secretary, to the COM
munication of DR.. Kuyper, the premier OF
the Netherlands, is as follows:
THE FOREIGN OFFICE, January 90
Sir: You were good enough to lay be-
fore me, January 25, a communication from
the Netherlands government in which 1t
was proposed hat, with the object of bring
ing the war to an end, his majesty's gov
ernment might grant a safe conduct to the
Boer delegates now in Holland for the
purpose of enabling them to confer with
the Boer leaders in South Africa.
Review of Plan offered.
'It is suggested that, after a conference
the delegates might return to Europe with
power to conclude a treaty of peace with
this country; and the Netherlands govern
ment intimate that in this event they
might, at later stage, be instrumental N
placing the Boer plenipotentiaries in rela
tlon with plenipotentiarieS who might De
appointed by his majesty's government.
Inc Netherlands government intimate that
II this project commends itself to his maj
esty S government they will inquire of the
delegates whether they are prepared to
make the suggested visit to South Africa.
1t may, therefore, be inferred that the
communication l received was made on The
responsibility of the Netherlands govern
ment alone, and without authority from
the Boer delegates or leaders. His majes-
tvs government have given it their best
consideration, and while entirely apprecia-
tive of the motives of humanity which led
the Netherlands government to make this
proposal they feel they must adhere to the
position adopted and publicly announced uy
them some months after the commencement.
Of hostilities by the Beers, that it is not
their intention to accept the intervention
of any foreign power in the South African
war.
Willing to Treat With Delegates.
Should the Boer delegates themselves de-
sire to lay a request for safe conduct be-
fore his majesty's government there is no
reason why they should not do so. But his
majestX's government, obviously, are not
In position to express an opinion on any
such application until they have received
1t and are aware of the precise nature and
grounds whereon the request is made.
Il may, therefore, point out that it is not
at present clear to his majesty's govern
ment that the delegates retain any infiu-
ence over the representatives of the Beers
In south Africa, or have any voice in their
councils. They are stated by the Neither
lands government to have no such letters
of credence or instruction of later date
than March, 1900 His majesty's govern
ment, on the other hand, understood that
all the powers of government, including
those of negotiation, were now completely
vested in Mr.. Steyn for the Beers of the
Orange River Colony, and Mr.. Schalk-
Burger, for those of the Transvaal. If
this is so, it is evident that the quickest
and most satisfactory means of arranging
settlement would be by direct communi-
cation between the leaders of the Boer
forces in South Africa and the commander
in-chief of his majestys forces, who has
already been instructed to forward imme-
diately any offers he may receive for the
consideration of his majesty's government.
Should Negotiate in the Field.
I'm these circumstances, his majesty's
government have decided that If the Boer
leaders should desire to enter into negotia-
tions for the purpose of bringing the war
to an end, those negotiations must take
place, not in Europe, but in South Africa.
1T should, moreover, be borne in mind
that If the Boer leaders are to occupy time
in visiting South Africa, in consulting with
Boer leaders in the field, and in returning
to Europe for the purpose of making known
the results of their errand, a period of at
least three months would elapse, during
which hostilities would be prolonged and
much human suffering, perhaps, needlessly
occasioned. 1 have, etc.
"CSigneO LANSDOWNE."