The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-10
TRANSVAALERS WILLING
But FREE SKATERS NOT READY TO
SURRENDER IN BODY.
Progress of the Peace Negotiations
i'm south Africa-Gen. DeIarey's
Charges Against British.

LONDON, April 9.-The Associated Press
understands that the peace negotiations
are progressing satisfactorily. so far as the
Transvaalers are concerned, but the latest
advices indicate that there is small proba-
bility of the Free Staters surrendering IN
a body. The negotiations thus far. have
been mainly explanations of British inten-
tions. 1t has been made plain TO the leaders
that their surrender will not entail Danish
ment, and this has been a potent influence.
The leading Transvaalers urge their allies
to arrange peace terms. The inner circles
OF the War Office believe that il the pres
ent indications are fulfilled and the Trans
walters agree TO surrender the backbone
OF Boer resistance will be broken and that
the Free Staters' opposition will soon be
overcome.
kilograms received here from Amsterdam
furnish evidence of the excitement caused
there by the receipt of private dispatches
from London stating that peace in South
Africa might be proclaimed within two
days. All kinds of rumors were current
on the Stock Exchange, but nothing had
reached official quarters in LOndan TO
justify such an optimistic view of the
situation.
The charges made against the conduct
of British troops in South Africa. attributed
TO General Delarey. have not been brought
to the notice OF the War Office and will be
ignored unless a question on the subject
il asked in the House of Commons. Even
in this event il is not probable that any
action will be taken unless a responsible
authority fOrmulates charges in "A more
definite and direct form. 1t is pointed out
that if General Delarey had wished to
make such allegations he had ample Op-
pOrtunity TO communicate them TO Lord
Kitchener, who. II Is believed at the War
Office. would have notified the home gov
eminent of the fact which he has not done
The War Office officials ridicue the idea
that the charges contain an iota of truth
and are inclined to assign their origin To
purely continental sources The allegations
have certainly not created a ripple of in
terest in War Office circles and even the
pro-Boer press, members of the House of
Commons and others appear to attach
small Importance TO the matter. General
Delareys courteous treatment of General
Methuen, ii is asserted. makes it difficult
to believe that the Boer commandant was
personally responsible for the charges,
which include persecution of DelaTey's own
family.
Gerald BaIfour president of the Board OF
Trade, in a speech at Leeds tonight, said
that if the Beers still insisted upon indie
pendence the present so-called peace ne
gotiations in South Africa might as well
be broken off Immediately.
A dispatch from Pretoria says: THE
British are making preparations for a
great series of drives on the arrival of
reinforcements. The general outlook for
the Beers is said 10 be most disheartenng.
II is thought here that the bulk of the
rebels are only waiting a promise that they
will not be banished to come in and sur
render.
Mr.. Steyn, the former President of the
Orange Free State, who is taking part in
the peace negotiations in South Africa, is
suffering from severe Ophthalmia and is
threatened with total blindness"