The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-09-12
REPORT OF RECENT CONFERENCE
MADE PUBLIC
LlKENED UNTO CIVIL WAR
Boer Generals Asked for Many
Things Which Have Not Been
Grantec-Surprise Expressed that
amnesty Had NOt Been Granted to
the Burghers when King Edward
Was Crowned-Cham m berIuin Com
of the Beers with that Of the
North to the south.

North To the south
London, September lO--A parliament
tary paper issued today gives u full re-
port of the recent conference between
the colonial secretary, Joseph Cham
berlain and the Boer Generals Botha,
DeWet and Delarey. Prior to agreeing
to the interview, which the Eoers asked
for, August 20, the colonial secretary re-
Quested a list of the subjects which it
was desired to discuss and the generals
forwarded a list including the follow
ing: Complete amnesty to the rebels
A yearly grant to all Bcer WIDOWS and
orphans and manned blrghers. Equal
rights for the English and Dutch lam
guages in the schools and courts. That
equal rights with the British be con-
ceded to burghers complying with the
terms of surrender including the right
to return to South Africa. The imme-
date release of all prisoners of war
The reinstatement of the officials of the
late South African republics or COM
penSation for their loss of officers.
Compensation for all loss occurred by
the British troops by the use, removal,
burning or destruction by other means
of all private property. The reinstate-
ment of the burghers ir the ownership
of their farms, confiscated or sold un-
der the proclamation OF August z, 1901
Compensation for the use OF the proper
ties of the burghers taken by the Brit
ish authorities. Payment OF the lawful
obligations of the late South African
republics, including those Incurred dur
ing the war. The RECESSION OF the de-
cison to add portion OF the Transvaal
to Natal. Granting an extension of
time for the payment Of all debts due
by the burghers to the late govern
ments of the South African republics .
Mr.. Chamberlain, in replying, express
ed great surprise at the number and
character of the proposals, pointing out
that tteSeondiuons agreed Ga at We
reenfging were duly accepted by the
burghers and the British government
and that they could not be reopened,
nor could proposals rejected at that
time be again discussed
At the opening of the conference the
Roer generals disclaimed any desire to
alter the terms of surrender in any
way. On the subjec: Cf amnesty 10
rebels General BOtha expressed disap-
rointment that, after the promise given
by Lord Kitchener, that The rebels had
not been granted amnesty at the time
OF King Edwards coronation; in reply
ing to which Mr.. Chamberlain promised
that the imperial government would not
hinder any generous intentions of the
government of Natal and Cape Colony
in regard to rebels.
AS to the return of burgers to
South Africa, the Colonial Secretary
declared that it was the government 6
intention to retain the right to prevent
the return Of the disloyal persons who
had not frankly accepted the terms of
peace.
Mr.. Chamberlain informed the gener-
that there in ha
port that the government intended to
sell farms belonging to burghers.
Relative to the transfer to Natal OF
part of the Tranvaal General Botha
said the burgers proposed to trek the
reform. He lived there, but he saw no
chance of remaining, the feeling of the
British in Natal being so strongly anti
Boer.
On the subject of material law, Mr..
Chamberlain said it would not be con-
tinued much longer.
General Botha concluded with an ap-
peal for the widows and orphans and
said he considered that the appropria-
ton of s15,000,000 was inadequate.
Replying to this, Mr.. Chamberlain
compared Great Britain's treatment of
the Beers with the treatment of the
south by the north after the civil war
in America Il would remind the gen.
eral," said Mr.. Chamberlain, that we
nave EHoSIl ldhen dlTedQy more ODllSa-
tionS than have ever before been un-
dertaken under similar circumstances.
To take one case in my time. | recol-
lect very WELL the great civil war in
America and / appeal to that because
that stands out as a case in which mora
than ever before, or indeed ever since,
the conquerer showed a mag
unanimous and generous feeling to the
conquered There was good reason for
this, because they were brothers Of the
same race, the same religion, the same
everything. 1t was a civil war, but
even in that case the northern side, that
is to say the victorious side, made no
provision whatever, either by way Of
grant, pension, or allowance to the peo-
pie who had been wounded, to the side
that had been conquered. They gave
their livees and their liberties, and af-
ter a period of ten years, gave them
votes, but did not give them any money
compensation. But we have gone d
step beyond that, because we have con-
tributed, in addition to all our own
enormous expenses, very large sum TO
relieve those who are really destitute in
our colonies. We have done more than,
I think, was expected and we have done
all we can afford to do and 1 think II
would be undesirable for the generals
to press us any further in this matter,
either now Or in writing.
How soon complete self government
will be extended to South Africa de-
pends entirely on the rapidity with
which the other animosities die out"
Mr.. Chamberlain concluded with say
of the operation of men like the gener-
ais, who had Loyalty accepted the new
situation