The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-10
passed by 254 COL
Sworn daily average circulation OF
The Journal for March, So, OO5.
SOUTH AFRICAN PEACE NEGOTl ATIONS.

A Pretoria dispatch states that the
peace negotiations of Acting President
Schalkburger of the Transvaal are still in
progress at Kronstadt, and that the i'm
preston at Pretoria is that the majority
Of the Beers desire only a pledge that
they will not be banished and will re-
ceive amnesty; that they will then sub
init.
AS yet it should be remembered that
the passing under flag of truce of Act
Ing President Schalkburger, Reitz and
others into the Orange Free State, was
intended as preliminary to negotiations
with the British authorities. Schalk-
burger and his associates went thither
to meet President Steyn and General De
Wet to see if it was possible to convince
these irreconcilables that it would be
advisable to begin to talk peace with
Kitchener.
1t is reported that the Transvaal Beers
under General Botha and those fighting
under General Delarey disagree about
peace negotiations, the Botha contingent
being discouraged and ready to talk
terms of surrender, and the Delarey seq
ment being encouraged to keep afield
by reason of the recent successes Of that
dashing officer.
The most obstinate section of the Beers
to be reckoned with is that of the Free
staters under Steyn and De Wet, who
yet hold the field in force, and Schalk-
burger is endeavoring to persuade these
gritty men that it is best to submit I'M
der offer of liberal terms by the
British. Steyn has hitherto been imper-
turbable in his purpose to fight to the
bitter end. He and his Free Staters went
into the war in 1899 on the ground Of
the offensive and defensive alliance the
Orange Free State had made with Presi-
dent Kruger of the Transvaal, and also
on the ground Of racial sympathy. Steyn
made many efforts to prevent the war,
but when Kruger issued his ultimatum
to Great Britain. he flung the doors of
his temple of Janus wide open. To-day
the acting president of the Transvaal,
the state which began the war, is taking
steps to promote peace, but Steyn and
his general, the dauntless De Wet repre-
senting the Orange Free State, which has
suffered more than the Transvaal from
the blight of war, have not yet, so far as
known, swerved an iota from their an
nounced purpose to fight and die in the
last ditch. They constitute the chief OBJ
stacle to a settlement.
The last offer by the British govern
tO the Ronrc do n
1901, through Lord Kitchener 1t en-
bodied the replacement Of military con-
troll by crown colony government as
soon as possible, and ultimate self-gov-
eminent; the use of the English and
Dutch languages in public schools and
courts; the allowance of Sc, OOO, 900 indie M
nifty to the inhabitants for goods re.
Questioned by the Transvaa1 and Free
State governments or by their comman-
dants during the war, and loans to farm.
ers who take the oath of allegiance fol
repairs; no war tax to be levied on farm.
ers to defray the cost Of the war; fire.
arms permitted under license and am.
nesty for all bona fide acts of war com
mitted during hostilities, but not for in.
bul 6SuLo VIII, IL LuGy I6luru, WILL De SUD-
ject to the special laws passed to meet
circumstances arising out of the war.
These terms were rejected by Boths
on March 16, 1901. They were more lib
eral than many of the Boer leaders ex.
pected, but the harsh clause touching the
exclusion of rebels from amnesty ani
their subsection to law if they come
back to their homes set the Beers
against acceptance,
The situation to-day is not very en-.
couraging for the Beers. Delarey's re.
cent successes raised their hopes, but he
Is the only Boer general who is worry.
ing the soul Of Kitchener at present, ant
even he approved Of Schakburgers has
Of truce to the Orange Free State, al
though he has given no symptoms of in
action. Lord Kitchener is making prep
arations for a great concerted movement
against Delarey, who has 1000 mounted
men and seven guns
If Schalkburger and Steyn agree to ap