The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-05

10 an end those negotiations must take
place, not in Europe, but in South Africa
IL should. moreover. be borne In mind that
a. the BOer leaders are TO occupy time In
visiting South Africa, In consulting the
Boer leaders IL the field and in returning TO
Europe for the purpose OF making known
the results of their errand. a period OF at
least three months would elapse, during
which hOstiities would be prolonged and
much human suffering, perhaps. needtessly
occasiOned."
THE DUTCH NOTE.
The text Of the communicable of the
Dutch minister in London TO Lord Lans-
downe Is as follows:
In the opinion Of the government OF her
Majesty, the Queen. the exceptional cir
cumstances I'm which one OF the belligerent
parties IN South Africa is placed prevent
IL from communicating directly with the
other belligerent. II Is said that one OF the
beliigerent parties is completely shut in
and separated from the rest OF the world
and that the BOer representatives In Eu-
rope are deprived Of all means OF COM
municating with the general commanding
their forces. The difficulty thus arises that
the authorities who ought 10 negotiate Tor
the Boer side are divided into two sections.
which are deprived OF all means or delib-
Grating together. IL is evident that the
Boer delegates in Europe can dO'nothing
because they do not know the state OF al
fairs in Africa and that the Beers In the
field are blige 70 abstain from taking
any steps because they are not cognizant
OF the state OF affairs In Europe. More
over. the delegates in Europe are bound
by their letters OF credence, which were
drawn up in March. 1900. which bind them
so strictly 10 the independence Of the re-
publics that they could not be permitted
20 accept the re-establishment or the status
quo ante bellum and entertain every mode
OF settling disputes which were not laid
down at the same time.
These circumstances give rise TO a ques-
tion as 20 whether the offer Of good Offices
could not be usefully made by a neutral
public in order TO render at least possible
Negotiations which otheryise could not be
opened. For this reason II would be I'M
portant 20 ascertain whether 1t would be
agreeable to the Britannia government TO
make use Of the good Offices Of a neutral
power. II such good Offices are confined
TO the task of placing in communication
negOtiatCr5 TO be appointed by the Two
parties the Holland government might per-
haps be considered IS indicated for the per-
fcrmancc OF this task, seeing that the
BOer delegates are In Netherland territory
and accredited 10 that government alone.
If his Britannia Majesty's government
should agree 10 this view the government
OF her Majesty the Queen would have TO
inquire Of the BOer delegates whether they
are willing to proceed TO Africa and de-
liberate with the BOer leaders on the spot,
returning to Europe after "A stay OF fixed
length-say a foTtnight-armed with ade-
quate. full powers providing for all
eventualities and authorizing them TO con-
clude a treaty OF peace which should bind
absolutely both the Beers in Europe and
the Beers In Africa.
'In the event of an affirmative reply il
would be necessary for his Britannia
Maiesty's government 70 hand The Neither
lands government three safe conducts per-
uniting the BOer delegates to proceed free
" TO Africa, remain there freely for the
time agreed upon andi return freely to
Europe. 1t would further be necessary for
the British government to allow the use
of a telegraph code with a view of APP
pointing a place where the delegates could
meet the Boer leaders. On their return
The Netherlands government could place
them in communication with the plenipoten-
tiGries appointed for that purpose by his
Britannia Majesty's government and would
Willingly undertake 10 place at the dis
posal OF these gentlemen the accommOda-
ton necessary for their meetings. The
Netherlands government would then con-
slider their task at an end.
1T is quite evident that negotiations thus
begun might lead 10 no result. But the
possibility OF the contrary is also not ex-
Guided, and i'm this condition of affairs it
appears desirable 10 endeavOr TO open
negotiations I'm the hope that they may be
successful and face a difficulty which ex-
lists for all belligerent parties Of taking
the first step In this direction. and II might
be useful that a third party should un-
dertake the matter and serve as an inter-
rnaIfaruD