The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-04
BRITISH NO
Will Not Accept the Inter
vention of Holland or
Any Other Power.

London, Feb. 1.-The British govern
ment has replied to DR.. Kuyper, the
Dutch premier, that if the Beers in the
Held desire to negotiate for peace, nego-
tlatlons can be entered into, but only in
South Africa. The British government
adEeres to it's intention not to accept the
intervention of any foreign power.
Inc text of the reply of Lord Lans-
downe, the British foreign secretary, to
the communication Of the Netherlands is
ss follows:
You were good enough to lay before me Jan.
70 a communication from The Netherlands
government in which it was proposed that,
with the object of bringing the war to all
end, his majesty's government might grant
safe conduct to the Boer delegates now in
Holland for the purpose of enabling them to
confer with the Boer leaders in South
Africa. 1t is suggested that, after a con-
ference, the delegates might return to Eu-
rope with power to conclude a treaty of peace
with this country, and the Netherlands gov
eminent intimate that in this event they
might, at later stage, be instrumental in
placing the Boer plenipotentiaries in relation
with plenipotentiaries who might be appoint
ed by his maJesty's government. The Meth
erlands government intimate that if this
project commends itself to mis- majesty's gov
eminent they will inquire Of the delegates
whether they are prepared to make the sug-
gested visit to South Africa. 1t may there
fore, be inferred that the communication I
| received was made on the responsibility of
The Netherlands government alone, and
without authority from the Boer delegates
or leaders
His majesty's government have given il
their best consideration and while entirely
appreciative of the motives of humanity
" led
make this proposal, they feel they must
adhere to the position adopted and publicly
announced by them some months after the
commencement of hostilities by the Beers
that it is not their intention to accept the
intervention of any foreign power in the
South African war.
Should the Boer delegates themselves de-
sire to lay a request for safe conduct before
his majestys government there is no reason
why they. should not do But his majesty's
government, obviously, are not in a position
to express an opinion on any such applica-
ton until they have received and are aware
of the precise nature and grounds wherein
the request is made. may therefore point
out that it is not at present clear to his
| majesty's government that the delegates re-
tain any influence over the representatives of
the Beers in South Africa or have any voice
in their council They stated by Tho
Netherlands government to have no such let
than March, 1900. His majesty's government
| On the other hand, understood that all the
powers of government, including those of ne
| gotiation, were now completely vested in Mr..
Steyn, for, the Beers Of the Orange River
Colony, and Mr.. Schalkburger for the Beers
/; Of the Transvaal If this is so, it is evil
| dent that the quickest and most satisfactory
means of arranging settlement would be by
direct communication between the leaders OF
the Boer forces in South Africa and the
! commander n-chief Of his majesry's forces
who has already been Instructed to forward
| Immediately any offers he may receive, for
! the consideration OF his majesty's govern
| ment.
| In these circumstances, his majesty's gov,
| eminent have decided that if the Boer lead
| ers should desire to enter into negotiations
( for the purpose Of bringing the war to an
end, those negotiations must take place,
not in Europe, but in South Africa. II
should, moreover. be borne in mind that II
the Boer leaders are to occupy time in Wis
I iting South Africa, in consulting with Boe1
/ leaders in the field, and in returning to Eu-
rope for the purpose Of making known the
results Of their errand, period of at leas,
three months would e1apse. during which
Il hostilities would be prolonged and much h,,-
man suffering, perhaps. needlessly occasioned