The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-05-27
HITCH IN THE NEGOTIATIONS
RUMOR IN PARLIAMENT SHORT
 LY AFTER MIDNIGHT.
A Bare Indication That 1t May be So-- Dispatch from Pretoria That the optimistic Feeling in South Africa is Hardly Based Upon Solid Facts-sign That the British Government Expects Peace Nevertheless.
Peace Nevertheless.

London, May 27.-Just before parlia-
 ment rose after midnight last night d
 rumor reached the lobby that a hitch
 had occurred in the peace negotiations.
 Nothing official concerning this rumor
 could be ascertained, but the dispatch
 to the Associated Press from Pretoria
 (printed beloW), in which it was said
 that the prevalence throughout South
 Africa of the optimistic feeling in re-
 gard to the peace negotiations was
 hardly based upon solid facts, may be
 regarded as an indication that such a
 hitch has occurred.
 Little information from Pretoria has
 been able recently to pass the censor
 there. That the government yesterday fully anticipated a speedy conclusion of
 peace is believed to be shown by the postponement from yesterday until Fri
 day or later of the budget bill in the committee stage. with the view, as was frankly admitted on the government side of the house. of enabling the budg- ct to be recast in the event that peace Is secured. The tax on grain has prov ed so unpopular throughout the coun- try, and has had such an unexpected effect in reuniting the liberal party with most effective election cry, that there is little doubt the government will welcome an excuse to drop it.
 Pretoria, May 26.-The prevalence throughout South Africa of the optim- fstic feeling in regard to the peace ne- gotiations is hardly based upon solid facts. The protraction of the confer- ence at Vereenigning is not necessarily hopeful sign. The delegates to the conference, although they have aban- doned their hopes of securing independ- ence, still have many points of differ ence with the government, while an ob- stinate minority continues to regard the resumption of hostilities as the best outcome of the present situation and at any moment these points of difference may be accentuated into a refusal to continue the negotiations.
 It Is most unlikely that those who are fin favor of peace will throw up the sponge so long $ decent minority is desirous of continuing the struggle and all these dissonant elements must be l taken into account before it is possi- | ble to give any sort of prediction as to | the issue of the present negotiations.
 Pretoria, May 26.-Forty-six Boers, with their wagons and cattle, sllrren- dered at Balmoral, Transvaal, yester- | day
 London, May 27.-The Daily Mail this morning says the cabinet council to be | held to-day will decide upon points of | detail, mostly of a financial nature | which have been raised by the Boers in the peace negotiations. Great Brit aims decision In the matter will then be communicated to the Vereenigng conference by the delegates at Pre- toria, says the paper, and being the best obtainable terms, they will almost certainly be accepted. The result should be announced officially either Thursday or Friday of this week, prob ably on Friday, the day upon which King Edwards birth is celebrated. Peace is quite certain, says the Daily Mail and the delegates at Pretoria are only engaged in endeavoring to gild the pill for the Vereeniging conference to swallow.
 The Daily Mail says further: "Our despatches from Pretoria assert that numerous communications are passing between Lord Kitchener and Lord Mil her, in South Africa and London.
 Lord Kitchener, although he is still full of energy is much aged in appear ance as a result of the severe and con- tinuous strain which he has under gone. The consensus of opinion is that , he recent negotiations have proved Lord Kitchener to be a great diplomat , lst as well as a great soldier. It is difficult to appreciate the magnitude of he difficulties Lord Kitchener has had 70 contend with, the Boers leaders are .. Ill deeply impressed with his personal ty, and trust him implicitly.
 Ut is understood that Lord Miner las gracefully admitted that the ulti- s nate credit for the accomplishment of ' he great task is due to Lord Kitch- I ,ner." To