The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-02-05
BRITISH REPLY.

The text of the reply of Lord Lansjowne.
the British Foreign Secretary, TO the com
munication Of the Netherlands is as fol!
lows:
The Foreign Office, Jan. 2s.-sir: You were
good enough to lay before me January % 4 com
muncation from the Netherlands Government in
which it proposed that. with the object Of
bringing the war to an end his Majesty's Gov
ernment might grant safe conduct to the Boer
delegates now in Holland. for the purpose or
enabling them to confer with the Beer leaders
in South Africa. 1t Is suggested that. after a
conference. the delegates might return to Eu-
rope with power To conclude treaty OF peace
with this country: and the Netherlands Govern
men. ntimates that. in this event. they might
at a later stage. be instrumental In placing the
Boer Plenipotentaries In relation with Ptenipo-
tvs Government.
BRITAIN APPRECIATES
HOLLANDS GOOD MOTIVES.
The Netherlands Government intimate that II
this project comments Itself to his Majestys
Government, they will inquire of the delegates
whether they prepared 10 make the suggested
visit TO South Africa. II may therefore. be IN
ferred that the communication received was
made on the responsibility OF the Netherlands
Government alone. and without authority from
the Beer delegates leaders. His Msiesty's
Government has given 1t their best considera-
ton. and whilst entirely appreciative OF the mo
tives OF humanity which led The Netherlands
Government make this proposal. they feel
they must adhere to the position adopted and
publicly announced by them since the commence
ment Of hos:i:ies 10y the Beers: that it is not
their intention to accept the Intervention OF any
foreign Power in the South African War.
Should the Boer delegates themselves desire to
law request for safe conduct before his
Majesty's Government. there is no reason why
they should not do But his Matesty's Gov
eminent. obviously. are not In position TO
press opinion any such application until
they have received It and are aware of the pre-
else nature and grounds whereon the request Is
made.
I may therefore, point out that Il is not at
present clear to his Majesty's Government that
the delegates retain any influence over the rep
resentatives of the Beers in South Africa. or
have any voice in thei- councils. They are stated
by the Netherlands Government TO have TO sucfi
letters of credence instruction OF later date
than March. 1900
NEGOTIATIONS MUST BE
IN SOUTH AFRICA.
His Majesty's Government on the other hand
understood that all tie rowesr Of government.
including these of negotiation. We're now
pletely vested in Mr.. Steyn. for the Beers OF the
Orange River Colony, and Mr.. SchallbuEsher.
for those of the Transvaal. II this is So /; II
evident that the quickest and most satisfactory
means OF arranging q settlement would be by
direct communication between the leaders Of the
Boer forces in Scith Africa and the Commander
in-Chief Of his Maiesty's forces. who has already
been instructed to forward Immediately any offers
he receive. for the consideration OF his
Maiesty's Government
:. In these circumstances his Majesty's Govern
ment have decided that. il the Boer leaders should
desire to enter negotiations for the purpose o.
bringing the war to end, these negotiations
must take place. not in Europe. but in South
Africa.
1t should. moreover. be borne in mind that if
the Bofr leaders 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 err
rand. q period OF at least three month. would
elapse. during which hostilities would be pro-
lonEed. and much human suffering. perhaps need
lessy. occasioned.