The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-05-30
PEACE IS NEAR
SAYS BALFO OUR
London Papers Put That Mean
ing to His Words

London May 29.-Mr. Balfour, In the
House of Commons today said
II cannot, however, be absolutely GER
tain of being In a position to do SO, and
until the statement can be made, do not
think it expedient to take up the budget"
The government leader also added:
"A recent phrase hung in the balance
has been absurdly mlsinterpreted as re-
ferring to divisions in the cabinet on the
subject of the 5udget That is not a fact.
and the only point is whether the House
can properly be asked to discuss the
budget until We know precisely where
they stand in regard to the negotiations"
II Means Peace.
The morning papers are unanimous in
accepting the statement of the govern
ment leader, A. ]. Balfour. in the House
OF Commons, as having but one meaning,
ely, peace; but the papers believe
that it's long experience with the astute
, Boer character compels the government
to the unusual precaution of announcing
nothing until the terms of peace are
actually signed, lest another surprise
should be forthcoming at the very last
moment
For reasons similar to the foregoing
the censorship in South Africa has been
devoted to preventing the terms of peace
from leaking out.
The delegates who left Pretoria at
o'clock Wednesday night included Acting
President Schalk-Burger of the Trans
vaal; Gen Lucas Meyer, commandment
chief of the Orange Free State forces
General Botha the Transvaal commander
in-chief; Generals Delarey and Dewet
States Secretary Reitz of the Transvaal;
General Smuts, Commandants Beyrs and
Landdrost Brand. They are. therefore.
representative of all parties. 1t Is pre-
sumed these delegates have fully accepted
the British terms. but in Pretoria 1t Is
believed they will have some difficulty in
bringing the conference entirely to their
way of thinking, which is likely to delay
a decision in the matter until Monday
No Doubt Entertained.
No doubt is entertained either In South
Africa or in London as to what that deci-
sion will be and some newspapers here
are already indulging in discussion of
peace plans
1t is understood that two points which
greatly protracted the recent negotia-
tions were the Question of amnesy and
banishment, and that In regard to the for
mer Great Britain promised generous
treatm eL/ but steadfastly refused any
unqualified guarantees in this connection.
1t is understood also that the Punishment
proclamation will only be waived on con-
dition of taking the oath of allegiance.
Whether there are still other minor
points of difference between Brixon and
Boer cannot be said, but 1t Is quite cer-
tain that all are agreed upon the broad
DrinCipIes of settlement.
DR.. Jameson has expressed himself as
confident that peace is assured and that
the Beers will not again take .--e field.
PEACE DELEGATES
ARE WELL TREATED.
Pretoria May 2s. = Lord Miner, the
British high commissioner, left Pretoria
for JohaI nesb, rg this morning.
The Beer delegates have also left this
city and returned to Vereeniging. Trans
vaal the scene of the peace conference
between the Boer dele cations. Ths ques-
tion of the retention of arms has been
settled in a manner favorable to the
Beers. whose contention that the occu-
pants OF outlying farms would be exposed
to danger from attecks on the part of
natives or wild beasts was well grounded
The camp at Ve-eningen, Transvaal,
where the final decision in regard to peace
will be reached, has been elaborately
prepared by the British authorities with
a view to the comfort and convenience of
the delegates to the convention now being
held there.
The cemp has been laii cut in squares
two miles from the Vereningen station.
On the Transveal side of the Taal river
there are sixty bell tents and twenty
Marques. A plentiful supply Of water
has been piped 90 the camp. electric
lights have been ipstsned and a staff of
British medical officers is in attendance
there. Generous cooking and catering ar
rangeraents also have been made.
The delegates are amusing themselves
with various outdoor games, and at a re-
cent football match the delegates from
the Orange Free State were victorious
over the delegates from the Transvaal A
company of the Scots Guards was guard
of honor at the games.
Reformed Presbyterians.