The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-02-07

thc IbOeEs NOW the F1eId and
Made to the Commander in Chief
in South Africn-This Plan, She
also Suggests Would be More Ex-
peditioun.
London, February 4-The British gov
ernment replied to DR.. Kuyper the
Dutch premier. that If the Beers In the
field desire to negotiate for peace nego-
tiations can be entered into; but only
in South Africa. The British govern
ment adheres to it's intention not to ac-
cept the intervention of any foreign
power.
The text of the reply OF Lord Lans-
downe. to the communication of the
Netherlands. is as follows.
"The Foreign Office,
January 29, 1902.
Sir: You were good enough to lay
before me. January 25th, communica-
tion from the Netherlands government
In which 1t was proposed that, with the
object of bringing the war 10 an emo
his majesty's government might grant
safe conduct to the Boer delegates
now in Holland. for the people enabling
them to confer with the '%oer leaders ir
South Africa. 1t is suggested that, af-
ter conference, the delegates might
return to Europe with power TO con-
clude treaty of peace with this coun-
try; and the Netherlands government
intimate, that in this event they might
at later stage, be instrumental in
placing the Boer plenipotentiarie5 in
relation with plenipotentiaries Who
might be appointed by his majesty's
government.
'"The Netherlands government inti-
| mate that if this project commends it
| self to his majesty's governments they
will inquire of the delegates whether
| they are prepared to make the suggest
] ed visit to South Africa. 1t may, there
! fore. be inferred that the communica-
| tion l received was made on tn, re-
| sponsibility of the Netherlands goven-
| ment alone and without authority from
the Boer delegates or leaders.
His majesty's government have Civ
| en- 1t their best consideration and,
whilst entirely appreciative Of the mo-
tives Of humanity which led the Neither
| lands government to make this propo-
1 SAL they feel. they must adhere to the
position adopted and publicly announc-
| ed by them some months after the COM
| mencement of hostilities by the Beers
| that 1t is not their intention to accent
| the intervention of any foreign power II,
| the South African war.
| Should the Boer delegates them
selves desire to lay request for safe
conduct before his majesty's govern
| ment there is no reason why they
| should not do so but his majesty's
! government. obviously. are not in pc-
| sition to express an opinion on any such
| application until they have received it
| 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
\ ant hof hn 5r
any influence over the representa- yes
| of the Beers in South Africa or have
any voice in their councils. They ars
| stated by the Netherlands government
! to have no such letters of credence or
| instruction of later date than March
1900.
His majesty's government, on the
other hand. understood that aI
| powers of government, including those
of negotia ton, 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 arrang-
ing a settlement would be by direc:
| communication between the leaders OF
the Boer forces in South Africa and
the commander-in-chief of his ma
| jesty's forces. who has already been
instructed to forward Immediately any
| alton of his majeSty's government.
"In these circumstances, his ma ajesty' s
government have decided that If the
Boer leaders should desire to enter into
| negotiations for the purpose Of bringing
the war to an end. those negotia tions
must take place. not in Europe, but in
South Africa.
| "It should, moreover, be borne in
mind that If the Boer leaders are &C
occupy time in visiting South Africa, ir
consult ng with Boer leaders in the fiel
and in returning to Europe for the pur.
pose of making known the results OF
their errand. a period Of at least three
months would elapse, during which hos
tilitieS would be prolonged and murt
, human suffering. perhaps needlessly
, occasioncd.
"LANSDOwNE."
) The communication Of the Dutch mia
lister in London to Lord Lansdowne sets
forth that "the authorities who ough
to negotiate on the Boer side are divid.
ed into two sections. which are depriv
ed of all means Of celebrating togethe-
| It is evident that the Boer delegates iT
Europe can do nothing because they d'
not know the state OF affairs in Africs
and that the Beers in the field are oh
liged to abstain from taking any step.
because they are not cognizant OF th'
state OF affairs in Europe. Moreover
the delegates In Europe are bound H.
their letters Of evidence drawn up IL
March 1900 which bind them so strictl,
to the independence Of the republic.
: that they could not even be permitted
) to accept the re-establishment Of tn
r status quo ante bellum IL mode Of set
tling disputes which might arise were
not laid down at the same time"
: