The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-25
ALL HOPING ron PEACE.
Britons Pleased Over Reported Nego-
tiatfOns at PretOrin.

LONDON. March 24-Hopes of many
Britons have raised by reports OF the peace
conference at Pretoria. In the House OF
Commons. this afternoon. the war seere-
tary, Mr.. BrOdrick. announced that a
fortnight ago Mr.. Schalkburger intimated
TO Lord Kitchener a desire to be granted
a safe conduct through the British lines
and back in order 10 see Mr. Steyn with ref
erence To the possibility OF peace proposals.
Lord Kitchener with the consent OF the
government. has acceded to the request.
The announcement Of the war secretary
was received with cheers.
Acting President Schalkburger's arrival
at Pretoria was a complete surprise to
Boer circles at The Hague. II was sur
missed that the step taken was with in
structions sent 10 Lord Kitchener to com
municate the text of the Angio-Dutch
notes to the Boer leaders.
The Associated Press has good reason to
believe that Lord Kitchener, in his inter
view with Mr.. Schalkburger. agreed TO
withdraw the Punishment proclamation
issued in September il General De Wet and
she other Boer leaders surrendered
Some significance is attached here to the
fact tnat in approaching Lord Kitchener
Mr. Schalkburger and those associated
With him have carried out tc the letter the
1dvice given By the British foreign secre-
tary Lord LansdOwne in his replv to the
peace note OF the Netherlands government
that the quickest and most satisfactory
means for arranging a settlement would be
by direct communication between the lead
ers of the Beers and the British COM
mander In chief in South Africa There is
no sign however, that the TransVaaI mis-
sion received any mandate from the fight
ing generals or that the latter are pre-
pared. TO recognize the authority of their
negotiate terms OF peace. Presumably the
latter satisfied Lord Kitchener that he had
certain clearly-detined proposals To submit
to his ally. President Steyn but the best
information from South Africa deprecates
any belief In the likelihood of a simulta-
neous surrender OF the burghers still in
the field on the order OF the BOer govern
ment. Almost the best 10 be hoped for is
that the present Overtures will soon modify
the situation 10 bring peace nearer.
The Westminster Gazette this afternoon
urges that any peace proposal shall be
regarded on its merit. pointing out that
the ungenerOus assumption that the pre-
vious BOer Overtures were signs of weak
ness contrib Ited largely TO the failure OF
the negotiations
The Pan Mall Gazette would like 10
think that the brave, skillful commanders
De Wet and Delarey. have arrived at the
height OF moral courage once attained by
SGeneral Lee and have realized that the
truest patriotism does not consist In the
prOlongation Of a hopeless struggle The
paper confesses. however. that the military
situation IS not auspicious for such a change
OF mind.
The ST James Gazette extracts from the
N1lliuminative dispatches thus far re-
ceived from Pretoria the theory that Mr.
Schalkburger and the other members OF
the party have possibly already surrendered
and have been released on parole for the
purpose OF seeing President Steyn and
General De Wet
Tia news s-ca- South Africa had a gen
Grady gooG slfscs CT the Stock Exchange
IL a Dispatch from Pretoria made p6Ol.c
Tonight Lord Kitchener gives his usual