Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-02-04
GREAT BRITAIN
REMAINS FIRM.
Lord LansdOwue Replies to Note Of
Dr. Kuyper
THE OFFER IS APPRECIATED
suggests II Boer Leaders want TO Nee
gotlate, Negotiations should Take
Place In South Africa.

London, Feb 4--The British govern
ment replied TO Dr. Kuyper, the Dutch
premier that II the Beers In the field
desire to negotiate FOR peace, negotla
lions can be entered into, but only In
South Africa. The British government
0dheres to Its intention to not accept
the Intervention Of any foreign power,
The text OF the reply Of Lord lans-
downe, the British foreign secretary.
to the communication Of Dr.. kuyper,
the premier Of the Netherlands, is as
follows;
THE Foreign Office, Jan, 30 Sir
You We're good enough TO lay before me
january 20 q communication from the
Netherlands government in which It
was proposed with the bringing the
war TO AN end, his majestYs govern
ment might grant a safe conduct to
the Boer delegates now IN Holland for
the purpose OF enabling them Ia CON
Ter with the Boer leaders In South Az
RIGA. II Is suggested that after con-
ference, the delegates might return TO
Europe with power TO conclude e
treaty Of peace with this country and
the Netherlands government intimatea
that, IN this event, they might at a
later stage, be instrumental In placing
the BOer plenlp0fentiaries In relation
with plenpotentlaries who might be
appointed by his majesly's government
The Netherlands government intimate
Il A.
his matesty's government they Will in
quire of the delegates whether they
are prepared to make the suggested
visit to South Africa. II may, there-
fore, be Inferred that the communca-
tion ! received was made ON the re-
sponsibility of the Netherlands govern
ment alone and without authority In
the B0er delegates or leaders. His
majestys government have given Il
their best consideration and whilst en-
tirely appreciatlve Of the motives Of
humanity which led the Netherlands
government to make this proposal they
feel they must adhere 10 the position
"a and publicly announced by
them some months after the COM
mencement OF hostllties by the Beers,
that IL was not their intention 10 ac-
cept the Intervention of any foreign
power In the South African war.
Should the Boer delegates them
selves desire TO lay o request for a safe
conduct before his inajestys govern
ment there Is no reason why they
should not dD so. but tIiHmajesty's
government, obviously are not In d 20.
sition TO express an opinion ON such
an application until they have received
II, and are aware OF the precise nature
and grounds wherein the request ls
made.
Il may therefore, point out that II
Is not at present clear 10 his maiesty's
government that the delegates retain
any influence over the representatives.
of the Beers I'm 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 majesty's government, on
the other hand understood that all the
powers OF government including those
of negotiation, We're now completely
vested In Mr. Steyn for the Beers Of
Schalkburger, for those of the Trans
Ndult II Aillh ~ Nbt II ~ tNlNNNA NHhl
the quickest and most satisfactory
means Of arranging u settlement would
be BY direct communication between
the leaders of the Beers in South Afri.
ca and the COMMUNICATIVE chief Of his
majestys forces who has already been
instructed to forward Immediately any
offers he may receive. for the cOnsid-
Grafton Of his majesty's government.
I'm this connection, his majestys
government have decided that II the
Boer leaders ,shoud desire to enter
negotiations for the purpose Of brlng>
inc the war to an end, those negotia-
tons must take place, not in Europe,
but IN South Africa,
1T should, moreover be borne IN
mind that II 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 el0pse, dur
Ing which hostilties would be pro-
longed and much human suffering, per-
haps. needlessly, occasiOned,
- have, etc,
4