The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-09-11

report of the recent conference be-
tween the colonial secretary. Joseph
Chamberlain, and the Boer generals.
Botha, Dewet and Delarey. Prior TO
agreeing to the interview which the
Beers asked for Aug. 20, the colonial
secretary requested a list of the sub
jects which il was desired TO discuss.
and the generals forwarded a list. in
GLIDING the following;
What They Wanted.
Complete amnesty to the rebels: a
yearly grant TO all Boer widows and or
phans and manned burghers; equal
rights for the English and Dutch Ian
guages in the schools and courts: that
equal rights with the British be con-
coded TO burghers complying with the
terms of surrender. including the right
to return to South Africa; the immedi-
ate release Of all prisoners Of war; the
reinstatement of the officials of the late
South African republics or compensa-
ton for their loss of office; compensa-
ton for all loss occasioned by the Brit
lsh troops by the use, removal, burning
or destruction by other means of all
private property; the reinstatement of
the burghers in the ownership OF their
farms confiscated or sold under the
proclamation of Aug. 7. 1901; compen-
sation for the use Of the properties of
burghers taken by the British authori-
ties: payment of the lawful obligations
of the late South African republics, in
GLIDING those incurred during the war;
the resembling of the decision 10 add a
Of Tft.op Al ~ fol
granting an extension OF time for the
payment of all debts due by the burgh-
ers TO the late governments of the
South African republics.
Chamberlain Surprised.
Mr.. Chamberlain, in replying, ex-
pressed great surprise at the number
and character OF the proposals, point
ing out that the conditions agreed on
AT Vereningen were duly accepted by
the burghers and the British govern
ment and that they could not be re-
opened, nor could proposals rejected at
the time be again discussed. II the
Interpretation Of the agreement was
open to question. his majesty's govern
ment would endeavor to remove all
doubts.
At the opening Of the conference the
Boer generals disclaimed any desire TO
alter the terms of surrender in any
way. On the subject of amnesty to
rebels. General Botha expressed disap-
pointment that after the promise given
by Lord Kitchener the rebels had not
been granted amnesty at the time of
King Edwards coronation in reply TO
which Mr.. mberlain promised that
the imperial government would not him
der any generous intentions of the gov
ernments of Natal and Cape Colony in
regard TO rebels.
Some Cannot Return.
AS to the return Of burghers to South
Africa, the colonial secretary declared
ii was the governments intention to
retain the right TO prevent the return
of dislOyal persons who had not frank
ly accepted the terms of peace, in
stancing former Secretary of State
Reitz Of the Transvaal as a case in
point. and saying that Mr.. Reitz was
using language on the continent in
consistent with the declaration he had
signed at Vereningen.
General Botha said he hoped that the
''sins of one man would not be visited
on Others" adding: "If one man says
foolish things. let him suffer therefor
alone"
Mr.. Chamberlain informed the gen
erals that there was no truth in the
report that the government intended to
sell farms belonging TO burghers. Re
garding some farms sold in the Orange
River Colony under the proclamation
of Aug Z, 1901. Mr.. Chamberlain prom
ised that the farms bought by the gov
eminent would be retranSferred to their
former owners.
General Botha criticised the compo-
sition Of the commission appointed to
allot the grant of S15.00O,0 (for the
purpose OF assisting burghers and their
/ families to return 10 their homes and
for restocking their farms. etc.) and
objected to national scouts serving as
commissioners. but Mr.. Chamberlain
maintained that the government must
be true 10 those who supported it.
viii Trek Once More.
Relative to the transfer to Natal If
! part of the Transvaal. General BOtha
said the burgheTs proposed to trek
therefrom. He lived there, but he
saw no chance of remaining, the feel
! ing OF the British in Natal being so
/ strongly anti Boer.
On the subject of martial law, Mr..
( Chamberlain said 1t would not be con-
| tinued much longer. The colonial sec
/ rotary refused to recognize as bur
ghers foreigners who had been ma
turalized during or just before the
war. saying they had been bribed by
I the resolution Of the volksrad giving
/ them burghers' rights as A reward for
/ taking part in a conflict in which they
I were not concerned.
General Botha concluded with an ap-
/ peal for the widows and orphans, and
! said he considered that the appropria-
ton Of Sl5,OOO,000 was inadequate.
Referred to Civil War.
Replying to this. Mr. Chamberlain
/ compared Great Britain's treatment of
| the Beers with the treatment of the
| south by the north after the civil war
l in America.
/ Il would remind the general" said
] Mr.. Chamberlain, what we have IN
/ dertaken under similar circumstances.
/ To take one case in my time. | recoI-
/ lect very we'll the great civil war in
! America, and l appeal TO that because
/ that stands out as a case in which
more than ever before or, indeed, ever
/ since. the victor. the conqueror. showed
! a magnanimOus and generous feeling
! 10 the conquered. There was good rea-
| son for this, because they were broth
! ers OF the same race, the same religion,
I the same everything. 1t was a civil
war. but even In that case the north
| ern side, that is 10 say, the victorious
/ side. made no provision whatever,
| either by way OF grant, pension or al
| iowance TO the people who had been
wounded, to the side that had been
| conquered. They gave them their lives
and their liberties. and. after period
of ten years. gave them votes. but did
not give them any money compensa-
/ ton.
British Generosity.