Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-11
CHAMBERLAIN SURPRISED.

Mr.. Chamberlain, In replying. expressed
great surprise at the number and char
acter of the proposals. pointing out that
the conditions agreed on ut Vereen;Eing
were duly accepted by the Burghers and
the British government, and that they
could not be reopened nor could pro-
posals rejected at that time be again
discussed.
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, Cen
eral Botha expressed disappointment that
after the promise given by Lord kitche-
ner the rebels had not been granted am
nesty at the time of King Edwards coro-
nation. in reply to which Mr.. Chamber
lain promised that the Imperial govern
ment would not hinder any generous in
tentions Of the government of Natal and
Cape Coloney in regard to the rebels. AS
to the return of Burghers to South Afri-
ca, the Colonial Secretary declared 1t was
the governments intention to retain the
right to prevent the return of disloyal
persons who had not frankly accepted the
| terms OF peace.
~ Mr.. Chamberlain informed the generals
that there was no truth in the report that
the government intended to sell farms be-
longing to Burghers.
Relative to the transfer to Natal of
part of the Transvaal, General Botha
said the Burshers proposed to trek there
from. He lived there, but he saw no
chance of remaining. the feeling Of the
British in Natal being 80 strongly anti
Boer
On the subject of martial law, Mr.
Chamberlain said it would not continue
much longer
General Botha concluded with an appeal
for the widows and orphans. and said
that he considered that the appropriation
OF Sl15,0O0,000 was inadequate.
WAR OF 1ss1-1S65
Replying to this, air. Chamberlain COM
pared Great Britain's trea tment of the
Beers with the treatment of the South by
the North after the civil war in America.
Il would remind the General said Mr..
Chamberlain. that we have undertaken
already more obligations that have ever
before been undertaken under similar cir
cumstances. To take one case in my life,
1 recollect very well the great civil war
in America, and I appeal TO that because
1t stands out as a case in which, more
than ever before, or indeed ever since. the
victor, the conqueror. showed magnani-
nous and generous feeling toward the
conquered. There was good reason for
this because they were brothers, of the
same race, the same religion, the same
everything. 1t was a civil war, but even
in that case the northern side, that is to
say the victorious side, made no pro-
vision whatever either by way of grant
pension, or allowance. to the people who
had been worsted, to tn eside that had
been conquered. They gave them their
lives and their liberties, and after a
period of ten years gave them votes but
did not give them any money compensa-
ton. But we have gone step beyond
that. because we have contributed, in
addition to all our own enormous ex-
penses. a very large urn to relieve those
who are really destitute in our near col-
onies- We have done more than I think
was expected, and we have done all that
we could afford to do. and I think it
would be undesirable for the generals
to press us any further in this matter.
either now or in writing"
HOPE FOR FUTURE PEACE.
Proceeding. Mr.. Chamberlain recipro-
Gated the desire expressed by General
Botha that they should all live in peace
in future In South Africa.
How soon complete self-government will
be extended to South Africa depends
entirely on the rapidity with which the
old aninlosities die out.
Mr.. Chamberlain concluded by saving
that the government would be glad of the
cooperation Of men like the generals
who had Loyalty accepted the new situa-
ton