The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-02-05
DEAF EAR TO HOLLAND
Great Britain Not Disposed to
Listen to 0Vertures From
Netherlands.

ply of Lord Lansdowne, the British for
eign secretary. 10 the peace communi-
cation of DR.. Kuyper, the premier of
The Netherlands. is as follows:
The Foreign Office. Jan 29.-Sir:
You were good enough to lay before me
Jan. p a communication from The
Netherlands government in which il
was proposed, with the bringing the
war to an end, his majesty's govern
ment might grant a safe conduct TO the
BOer delegates now in Holland for the
purpose of enabling them to confer with
the Boer leaders in South Africa.
1T is suggested that after a confer
ence, the delegates might return TO Eu-
rope with power TO conclude a treaty
of peace with this country, and The
Netherlands government intimates
that, in this event they might at d
later stage be Instrumental in placing
the Boer plenipotentiaries in relation
with plenipotentiaries who might be
appointed by his majesty's government.
The Netherlands government inti-
mates that if this project commends it.
self to his majesty'S government they
viii inquire of the delegates whether
they are prepared to make the suggest
ed visit to South Africa It may. there
fore. be inferred that the communica-
ton I received was made on the re-
sponsibility of The Netherlands govern
ment alone and without authority IN
the BoeT delegates or leaders.
Adhere to First Policy.
His majesty's. governments have Civ
en- it their best consideration. and while
entirely appreciative of the motives of
humanity which led The Netherlands
n mo 10
feel they must adhere to the position
adopted and publicly announced py
them some months after the commence
ment of hOstlities by the Beers: that
it was not their intention to accept the
int vention of any foreign power in
the South African war.
Should the Boer delegates them
selves desire to lay a request for a safe
conduct before his majesty's govern
ment there is no reason why they
should not do so. But his maiesty's
government, obviously are not in
position to express an opinion on such
an application until they have received
it and are aware of the precise nature
and grounds whereon the request is
made.
4 may. therefore point out that it
is not at present clear to his ma iestv's
government that the delegates retain
any influence over tie representatives
of the Beers in South Africa. or have
any voice in their councils. They are
stated by The Netherlands government
to have no such letters of credence or
instruction of a later date than March.
1900. His majestys government. on
the other hand. understood that all the
powers Of government. including those
of negotiation, were now completely
vested in Mr. Steyn for the Beers of
the Orange River colony, and Mr.
Schalkburger. for those of the Trans
vaal.
Too Long a Period.
If this is so, il is evident that the
quickest and most satisfactory means
OF arranging a. settlement would be bv
direct communication between the
leaders of the Beers in South Africa
and the commander in-chief of his
majesty's forces. who has already been
instructed to forward Immediately any
offers he may receive, for the consider
alton of his majesty's government.
In this connection. his majesty's
government has decided that if the
Boer leaders should desire TO enter ne
gotiatiOns for the purpose of bringing
tiiC " al " an emu THOSE negotiations
must take place, not in Europe, but in
South Africa.
1t should, moreover, be borne in
mind that if 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 the re-
suits of their errand, period of at
least three months would elapse, dur
ing which hostilities would be pro-
lOnged. and much human suffering.
perhaps. needlessly occasioned.
I have. etc, LANSDOWNE.'
The Daily Telegraph dubs the action
Of DR.. Kuyper as ''gTotesque nursery
extravag anza."