Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-05

REJECTS PEACE PLAN
EnEland Dtc iIss Estbsrlauds' 0ffsr to
Intsrvoas with BssrA
WILL NOT ACCEPT OUTSIDE OFFICES
King i, Ready to R.s.iv. Only Direct P'sO'
Prspsssls.
Opens WAY FOR Action q n, 7ctRs
Gays Th.r. is No Reason Why They y
Net Proceed
NIL NOT ACCEPT OUTSIDE OFFICES
OPENS WAY FOR Action e r. 'ctR'
LANsOowNE SUBMITS THE ULTlMATUM
says His Majesty Has Thoroughly
Considered NetherIands' PrOpO-
sition and Indicates No Hope
of Change I'm Decision.

OF ChNnge IN UectStoh.
LONDON. Feb 4.-The British government
replied to Dr. Kuyper, the Dutch premier,
that II the Beers in the field desired to
negotiate for peace. negotiations can be en-
tered into but only in South Africa The
British government adheres to its inten-
tion not to Dccept the Intervention OF any
foreign power
The text Of the reply OF Lord Lansdowne,
the British foreign secretary to the COM
munication OF The Netherlands, is as fol-
lows:
THE FOREIGN OFFICE, Jan. 2s.-sir:
January z a COMMUNICATION from The
Netherlands government in which II was
sf % ha an wsR snd Hs hs Gosses
ment might grant a safe conduct to the
Boer DELEGATES now in Holland for the the pnbr ptbe
Boer leaders In South Africa.
1t is suggested that after conference
power TO conclude a treaty Of peace with
this country. and The Netherlands govern
ment Intimate that in this event they
might, at a later stage, be instrumental In
placing the Boer plenipotentierles IN reia-
ton with plenipotentiaries who might be
appointed by his majestys government.
Netherlands Assume Responsibility.
The Netherlands government intimate
majestys government they will inquire of
the delegates whether they are prepared to
make the suggested visit to South Africa.
IL may, therefore, be inferred that the
communication received was made on the
and without any of the Boer leaders.
His majesty's government has given II
appreciative of the motives of humanity
which led The Netherlands government 70
make this proposal they feel they must ad-
here 70 the position adopted and publicly
announced by IL some months ago, that II
is not us intention 70 accept nhe % ,ntesvb ao,,,b
should the Boer delegates themselves. de-
no reason why they should not do SO, But
his majesty's government Is not In posi-
: tion. to express an opinion on any. such
application until they have received Il. and
are aware OF the precise nature and grounds
whereon the request is made.
Delegates influence Questioned.
may, therefore, point out that II Is not
snt M Il siS 7Sat the asiesstss rstaln any ny in
Beers % in south Africa, or have any voice
In their councils. They are stated by The
letters OF credence or instruction of a later
date than MfrSh, IS9N His majesty's gov,
that all the powers on government, includ-
ing those Of nego.i6tiSn were now COM
Osy .ss oSss s v. y Mr. coosy ssyn aSd d a as Ss
berger for those OF the rransvaal; Il this
IS SO. it Is. evident that the quickest and
most satisfactory means OF arranging a
settlement would be by direct communica-
ton between the leaders of the Boer forces
been n instructed st to FOR: forward immedisteiy
GRAFTON of his majestys government.
Must Take Place in south Africa.
In these circumstances his majesty's gov
ernment has decided that IL the Boer lead
ers should desire to enter negotiations for
h. If hNtD rlRer fhna rnraW To-
those negotiations must take place. not
in Europe, but in South Africa.
1t should, moreover, be borne in mind that
~ the Boer leaders are to. occupy time in
visiting South Africa In consulting with
Boer leaders in the field and In returning
to Europe for the purpose OF making known
lhe results OF their work, and period OF
which hostilities would be prolonged and
much human suffering, perhaps needlessiy,
tsignedJ LANsDowNE.
The text Of the communication of the
Dutch minister to Lord Lansdowne is:
Dutch Ministers Letter.
In the opinion OF the government Of her
stances In which one of the beliigerent par
ties In South Africa Is placed, which pre-
Vents 1m 9ireG5y & with
son for the prolongation of the war which
is still raging without pause or end and
which causes much misery. IL is, IN
ifact, an exceptional circumstance that one
OF the belligerent parties Is completely shut
world ana that the Bcer representatives Il
Europe arc deprived OF all means of com.
rnunicating with the general commanding
The difhculty thus arises that the au
Boer Ss side wp are 0 DIVIDED Il into two sections @ ms
which are deprived of all means OF de
llberating together. 1t is evident that th'
because they do not know the state OF al
fairs 10 Africa, and that the Beers In th'
any steps because they are not cognizan
OF the state OF affairs In Europe.
bound by their letters OF credence. whici
were drawn up IN March, 1900. which bin,
republics that they could not even be per ss
mitted to accept the re-establishmenf o
settling disputes which might arise weT
not laid down at the same time.
Raises Question of Proprtety.
These circumstances give rise to the ques
tlon whether the offer OF good offices coul
not be usetully made ey a neutral power
tiations. which otherwise could not b
For this reason Il would be important I
ascertain whether Il would be asreeabl
to the Britannia government 20 make US
AZ such ~ Food s oifseSs are confined 10 ths tas
OF placing in eommunication negotiators I
land government might perhaps be consid
cred as iadicated for this task, seeing tina
the boefS delegates are IN Nelnerianu tel
ritory and accredited 10 sha; governmer
alone.
= lbs Britannic majesty's governmer
should agree to this View. the governmer
OF her majesty, the queen would have
inqaire OF the Boer delegates whether the
are willing 10 proceed 10 Africa and ds
hberate with the Boer leaders on the spo
returning 10 Europe after stay OF hxs
length. say a fortnight, armed with ads
Quafe. full powers providing for all even
ualitles. and authorizing them 10 concud
a treaty Of peace which should bind, abs
lutely. both the Beers in Europe and N
Beers IN Africa.
Ineidents 10 the Conference.
In the event OF an afnrmative reply
would be necessary for his Britannia m:
3estyB government 70 hand The Nethe
lands government three safe conducts, pc
mitting the Boer delegate 10 proceed free
10 Africa, remain there freely for the tin
agreed upon and return freely 10 Europe.
II would further be necessary for n
British government 10 allow the use Of
selegraphic code. with the view 10 appoln