Daily Kennebec journal., 1902-01-30
HOLLAND ADMITS 1T.
Has Made Overtures to EngIand Look
ing to End Of War.

The Hague, Jan. 29.-In the first
chamber Of the States-General. today.
the premier confirmed the accuracy of
the statement in the British Commons,
yesterday, regarding the Dutch govern
ment's offer to help in bringing peace
in South Africa, but added that he was
prevented by courtesy from disclosing
details concerning the note so long as
the British government had not pub
lished its contents. or until reply was
received.
The Boer delegates disclaim knowl-
edge of the contents of the note.
London, Jan. 30.-The Hague corre-
spondent of the Daily Mail says that he
is able to announce on authority that
the Dutch note to Great Britain, after
rehearSing the earnest concern of that
government over the prolongation of
hostilities in South Africa, offered its
good offices in bringing them TO close.
To this end Holland asked whether
Great Britain would be willing to per-
init Dutch commission to proceed to
South Africa to enlighten the Boer
leaders in the field as to the real posi-
ton of affairs.
The truth appears 10 be that DR..
| kuyper, the Dutch premier, despairing
| because of the negative attitude of DR..
| Leyds, the European representative of
| he Transvaal, and his party. who
| maintained that their credentials only
| permitted negotiations on the basis OF
| the retention of Boer independence. de-
| cided to appeal TO the fighting burghcrs.
L rt,ic hn ie.Ix 49, 1nla
I gates in Europe to disassociate them
| selves from the action taken by HOl-
| land.
| London, Jan. 29.-The premier, Lord
| Salisbury, and the minister of foreign
| affairs. Lord Lansdowne, took the un-
! usual course of visiting the House OF
| Commons. this afternoon They held
private consultations with their minis
-erial colleagues in the committee room
The incident aroused considerable in.
terest in the lobby. where the visit was
connected with the note of the Dutch
government on the subject of peace il
South Africa
| London, Jan. 30.-Nfr. Hales, the cor
respondent of the Daily Express in Ber
liz, predicts that should peace eventu
ate in South Africa. commercial Ger
many will sweep down upon Soutl
Africa and endeavor to divert its trad,
to Germany. There is no doubt, Mr.
| Hales says that the Germans will leav,
no stone unturned TO take the fruits o
the war from Great Britain. Mr.. Hale
prophesies that the German invasion o
South Africa will eclipse the rush o
Germans to America so years ago, ant
he says that the openness of the tariff
in South Africa is expected to brin,
German merchants substantial ad
vantage and that the latter believe tina
Boer influence will continue so grea
lthat it will assure preferential treat
n,ent to the Germans.
Boston, Jan. CA letter has been re-
| ceived by former Congressman John F
| Fitzgerald from s. Seward Toddings O
| hamilton, Bermuda, replying to inquire:
made relative To the reports Of ill treat
| ment of Boer prisoners there. and in par
tcular as to the condition OF James Nal
| 10y, a Boston poy. also a prisoner. Til,
| letter says that Malloy is in exceilen
Iaealth and is growing stout, although res
tive under restraint. Malloy is librarian
Of the Boer library. In respect to tn,
| other prisoners the letter says they hav,
far better treatment than is usually ac
| corded TO prisoners of war and thati
| rationS they are better served than ar,
the soldiers who guard them.