Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-08
SIGNS OF PEACE APPARENT
Commander Of the Orange Free State Forces
Says Amity is Probable.
CABLES HIS PREDICTION TO LONDON
Premier RepudiRtes Assertion that
Great Britain IL weakening on
Subject of Peace in His
London Speech.

LONDON, May THE wife OF General
Lucas Meyer, the commander Of the Orange
Free state forces. who is in this country,
received a cable message from her husband
sterday saying that peace in South Africa
" aprobable.
?, or advices received here today from
Africa announced that 20s Beers had
captured and that ten burghers we're
ki.sed in the neighborhood OF Lindley,
Orange River colony, Monday.
Lord Kitchener in reporting the capture
OF Beers near Lindley said that the British
troops forming a continuous line left the
Frankfort, Heilbron and vredefort line at
dawn without wheels of any sort and pfo-
ceeded rapidly south. reaching the Kroon-
stad and Lindley neighborhood with the re-
suit announced. The British casualties
were nil
The captured men represent the most ir-
reconciliable Beers in the Orange River
Colony.
Lord Salisbury during his speech today
at the annual grand habitation of the Prim-
rose league here, said the government had
not receded an iota from its previous peace
terms to the Boers.
At the same time he said the country
must not expect the "ashes Of past con-
ficts' TO be extinguished Immediately.
Great Britain had had great and serious
war; but, admitting that misery and suf-
fering had been caused, 1t must be recog-
nized that the power, prestige, influence
and magic effect OF our great empire are
more potent, more efncient and more ad-
mirable than ever before.
1--WE have suffered" continued the pre-
mier, "but we have greatly won. 1t was
impossible not to feel that the efforts OF
the country have, in some cases, not been
worthily recognized"
Makes Indignant Denial.
The other day Mr.. Morley asked II there
was a single member OF the cabinet OF
1899 who, II he could have foreseen the re-
suits OF the policy on which they we're then
launching the country, would not have
checked the diplomacy leading to such de-
plorable results. AS a member OF that
cabinet he (Lord Salisbury wished to meet
this statement with the most indignant
denial. The war had been used by some
politicians for the squalid purpose of in
juring their opponents. When a neighbor-
ing power or tribe invaded his majesty &
dominions and made an attack which was
a gross and fragrant outrage. 1t could only
be met by fighting in their own country
those who had despised the rights and
sovereignty of our sovereign.
The premier repudiated the assertion
that Great Britain was weakening on the
subject OF peace terms. He declared the
country could not afford to submit to the
suggestion that affairs should be allowed
to slide back into a position where II
would be in the power Of the enemy when
the opportunity suited them to renew the
Issues for which this country had fought
during the last three years.
Must XIII Power to Renew II.
When the conflict was over all possible
would be done to mould their present op-
ponents so they could take up their posi-
tion in the empire which had conferred SC
many blessings on the human race. But
it must be thoroughly understood that the
whole government of the country was tc
be of such character that 1t would be
impossible that the struggle could be re-
newed. It was important that this should
be made clear, for some people thought
the empire might become tired. He die
not wish to convey the idea that there
was any feeling Of bitterness towards the
Beers, for there was nothing the govern
ment more earnestly desired than tha
they should enjoy all the privileges con-
ferred on their brother nations by the CO.
lonial system.
Touching on the question of imperia
| federation, Lord Salisbury warned his hear
ers of the danger OF over-haste and ex
horted those who were anxious TO secure
federation to earnestly consider the step
they were going to take and the results
expected.
1--WE cannot" he said, safely interfere
| by legislative action with the natural de
| yelopment of our relations to our daugh
| ter countries. / look with apprehension
on any attempt, unless backed up by thu
strong mass OF public opinion, to antici
pate events or foreclose precious results
which, II we are patient and careful ar,