The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-12
Reports Circulated in London Thurs
day Were Not Confirmed by
Any Source Yesterday.
CABINET MEETING TOD
AT WHICH DISPATCHES FROM
SOUTH AFRICA MAY BE DISCUSSED.
Any Propositions Made by the BOer
Leaders to Be Forwarded at
Once to London.

LONDON, April 1.-THE rurnors current
here last night that the Beers had accepted
peace terms were not confirmed to-day
The war secretary Mr.. Brodrick, informed
the House of Commons that the govern
ment had received no communication from
the Boer leaders regarding the terms Of
peace, and said that no armistice would be
given during the absence of the Boer lead
ers from their commands. Mr.. Brodrick
was asked if Lord Kitchener had been au-
thorized to offer any terms of peace besides
unconditional surrender He replied: II
am not in a position to make any state
ment nor am 1 able to add anything to my
statement of yesterday regarding the con-
ference between the Beers"
Summonses were issued this evening for
a Cabinet meeting tomorrow. This cir
cumstance started a fresh crop of rumors
to the effect that the government had re-
received dispatches from Lord Kitchener
on the subject of the peace negotiations
after Mr.. Brodricks statement in the House
of Commons this afternoon. Should the
Beers taking part in the conference decide
in favor of opening peace negotiations they
will submit their proposals to Lord Kitch-
ener, who has been instructed to forward
From government sources it is learned
that the peace negotiations are not ex-
pected to come to a conclusion so quickly
as the premature reports Indicated The
belief that there will be considera BILE par
leylng also exists in circles intimate with
the Boer leaders on the continent who in
innate that no peace can be arrived at I'M
less the British grant some kind off con-
cession on the form of amnesty to the Cape
rebels. Whether this contention will prove
well rounded or otherwise is only a matter
of conjecture, but il appears certain that
the Beers will hold out till all eXpedients
OF negotiation are exhausted In an endeavOr
to gain this point. Some of those who are
in close touch with South Africa believe
that ten days may elapse before a definite
conclusion is reached. In the meanwhile
the presence of such representative Beers
at KlerksdorD and other factors create
all round hopeful feeling. This was re-
flected on the Stock Exchange in the adj
vance of cOnsols and Kafiirs. Up TO II 30
a. m. the government had received no off,
cial news bearing out the statements that
peace had been arranged.
Frederick Rutherford Harris, former sec
rotary of the British Chartered South At
RIGA Company, was asked this morning at
his residence, Llangibly Castle Usk Mon
mouthshire, if he had received a telegram
announcing that the BOer leaders had ac-
cepted the British terms. Mr.. Harris re-
piled that the rumor was entirely with
out foundation. similar report of the al
legged agreement was carried by the Central
news ana puDnSneu DN some OF the morn
ing papers. which issued extra editions
1t appears to have originated in the town
of ROntypoOl, adjacent TO Llangibly Cas-
tie. The dispatch appearing in the Finan-
cier and Bulionist is not confirmed from
any other quarter. The editor of the pa
per said several words of the code message
were vague, but he believes his general
Interpretation of the dispatch to be correct
In the House of Commons, at midnight
tonight, A. j. Balfour, the government
leader, replying to a question asked by Sir
Henry Campbell Bannerman, the Liberal
leader, declared that the government had
no information concerning the peace ru-
mOrs. and that there was no foundation
for them.
Inquiries made tonight at the War Office
by the Associated Press elected the state
ment that that office knew nothing about
the rumors of peace or an alleged telegram
from Lord Roberts to Dover in which he is
reported to have said the war was over.
The sudden calling of a Cabinet meeting
and the fact that King Edward rather I'M
expectedly terminated his cruise to-day in
order to return to London, convnces peo-
pie that something important is pending
and has led to the most extraordinary
rumOrs. Among other things it is reported
that Mr.. Chamberlain. the colonial secre-
tary, has resigned. This is quite untrue
Mr.. Chamberlain was suffering from
chill to-day, but he expects to attend the
Cabinet meeting tO-morl ow.